How Much Does a Singapura Cat Cost? 2024 Price Guide
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The Singapura cat has been officially recognized as a breed by the Cat Fanciers’ Association since the late 1980s, although the breed is thought to have been around for a lot longer than that. These cats are known for their small stature and big personalities. Fully grown Singapuras weigh between 4 to 8 pounds and are 6 to 8 inches high, making them the smallest known breed of domestic cats. Generally, Singapura cats can cost $75–$150 when adopting and $1,200–$2,000 if you buy one from a reputable breeder.
Singapura cats are a great family pet that loves attention. They do have some specific needs that can increase the cost of owning one. It’s important to know the costs associated with owning a pet before your family commits to that animal, so read on to learn about how much it costs to own a Singapura.
Bringing Home a New Singapura Cat: One-Time Costs
The first cost associated with any new pet is the cost of the actual pet itself. You can get a pet from many places, be it for free, via adoption, or from a breeder. Depending on where you get your Singapura, the initial cost will range widely. Keep in mind that a lower cost is not always better when it comes to purchasing pets.
Free
The most common way for you to come across a free Singapura would likely be from a family who can no longer care for the cat and just wants to rehome it. You should be very wary of situations where people are giving a pet away for free. This is not safe for the animal as people often target free animals for abusive or dog fighting situations.
Adoption
- $75–$150
Adopting a Singapura can be a great option if you can find one available for adoption. There are many adoption platforms where you can sort by cat breed, age, gender, and other characteristics. If you do choose to adopt, you may not end up with a purebred Singapura, as there is no certificate from a breeder. However, if the breeding status isn’t as important to you, adoption is a great option!
Breeder
- $1,200–$2,000
If you choose to get your Singapura from a breeder, make sure you do your homework and select a reputable breeder. The cost will vary based on location, availability, and sex, but typically, a Singapura costs between $1,200 and $2,000. Typically, females will cost a little more than males.
Initial Setup and Supplies
- $550–$1,000
There is a wide range in the average cost of initial set-up and supplies for your Singapura cat. This is because the cost of veterinary care, vaccinations, and spay or neuter surgery will vary depending on the veterinarian you choose and your location. It is important to note that you may be able to find a free or low-cost clinic to ease some of these initial veterinary costs.
List of Singapura Cat Care Supplies and Costs
ID Tag and Collar | $20 |
Spay/Neuter | $200-$400 |
Initial Vet Visit | $50-$100 |
Kitten Vaccinations | $70–$250 |
Microchip | $40-$50 |
Teeth Cleaning Supplies | $20 |
Bed | $25 |
Nail Clipper | $5 |
Brush | $10 |
Litter Box | $18 |
Litter Scoop | $7 |
Toys | $40 |
Carrier | $35 |
Food and Water Bowls | $10 |
How Much Does a Singapura Cat Cost Per Month?
- $110–$245 per month
After the initial costs of purchasing your cat and the supplies they need, you need to budget for monthly costs as well. These include things like health care, insurance, food, litter, toys, and medications. We have broken down the average costs of each of these to help you determine if a Singapura fits into your family’s budget.
Health Care
- $55–$165 per month
Singapura cats are typically a healthy breed. Like all cats, they should get regular veterinary check-ups to ensure that they do not have any problems. However, they don’t need to be taken to the vet every month. Unless something seems wrong, two yearly veterinary visits should be sufficient.
Food
- $40–$60 per month
The Singapura is a small cat, but an active one. They require high-quality food to support their high activity levels. Occasional treats are also a welcome addition to your Singapura’s diet.
Grooming
- $5–$10 per month
Singapura cats require little grooming so you will not have to break the bank to keep them looking neat and clean. A weekly brushing and ear cleaning, an occasional nail trim, and regular teeth cleaning are the extent of their grooming needs. They don’t need frequent baths.
Medications and Vet Visits
- $0–$55 per month
Medication costs and vet visits will vary each month. If your Singapura gets sick or needs treatment for a specific condition, you may incur a veterinary cost. Also, you will need to bring your cat to the vet twice each year for a check-up, which may include routine costs like flea and tick prevention medication.
Pet Insurance
- $10–$40 per month
There are different types of insurance plans for cats, just like there are for humans. You can select accident-only coverage or accident and illness coverage. Accident and illness coverage will give you more protection, but it does cost a little more. The Singapura is susceptible to some serious illnesses, so you may want to consider insurance that covers both accidents and illness.
Environment Maintenance
- $35–$50 per month
There are a few factors that will influence the monthly environmental maintenance costs of owning a Singapura cat. If you use clumping cat litter and scoop the box daily, you can expect to empty the box and change the litter about once every 2 weeks. If you have only one cat, you only need one litter box. However, multiple cats require multiple litter boxes. This would increase the cost of litter. If your cat is not a heavy scratcher, you won’t need to replace the cardboard scratcher inserts as frequently.
Cat Litter | $20 to $40/month |
Deodorizing spray or granules | $5/month |
Cardboard scratcher insert | $0 to $10/month |
Entertainment
- $20–$30 per month
Although cats don’t destroy their toys as quickly as dogs do, they still will need regular replacements. Singapura cats are very active and curious so they need toys that will keep them engaged and interested. There are a lot of fun, interactive toys out there that a Singapura will enjoy!
One way to ensure your kitty is getting a good variety of entertaining and engaging toys is to try a cat toy subscription box. These are usually a good value and your cat will get a few new toys to try each month.
Total Monthly Cost of Owning a Singapura Cat
- $110–$245 per month
The average cost of owning a healthy Singapura cat is just over $100 per month. This cost can be higher if it is a month in which you have to bring your cat for a veterinary check-up. If your cat has special medication requirements or other needs, you may have higher monthly costs.
Additional Costs to Factor In
Along with the monthly cost of owning a Singapura, there are other costs you need to plan for. These may include:
Pet Sitters
If you plan to travel, you will need to arrange for someone to care for your cat while you are away. Remember, Singapuras do not do well when left alone so you will need someone who can check in often and give your cat the attention it needs.
Emergency Vet Care
While pet insurance can help cover the costs of emergency care, you will still have costs to cover if you Singapura gets seriously ill or needs an emergency procedure.
Owning a Singapura Cat on a Budget
It is possible to own a Singapura cat on a budget! Often, the biggest cost of owning a pet is healthcare. You can save money by investing in pet health insurance. Although there is a monthly charge, you will be protected from huge veterinary bills if anything happens to your cat.
When it comes to regular costs, clumping cat litter will save you money as it can be changed every 2 weeks instead of more frequently. You can save money on toys by using household items to entertain your cat. Crumpled paper balls, toilet paper rolls, and ping pong balls are excellent choices!
Lastly, you can look for local spay and neuter clinics and kitten vaccination clinics. These will often offer lower costs on these procedures. You can also speak with your regular veterinarian as they will often offer packages of all necessary kitten vaccines at a discounted price.
Saving Money on Singapura Cat Care
It is possible to own a Singapura cat on a budget. Caring for your cat properly, ensuring that they are not overfed, and getting regular veterinary check-ups will save you money in the long run and will give you a happy, healthy pet.
Conclusion
The upfront costs of owning a Singapura cat are significantly higher than the cost of owning a different breed of cat. This is due to the high price for these kittens from a breeder. Outside of this, the average monthly cost of $110 to $245 is not much different than for any other type of cat.
You can cut down on healthcare costs and entertainment costs to bring the average monthly costs down as well. Overall, after the initial acquisition cost, a Singapura cat costs about the same as most other cats.
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