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How Much Does a Toyger Cat Cost? 2024 Price Guide

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By Nicole Cosgrove

Toyger cat

Toygers, otherwise known as toy tigers, were developed to raise awareness about the decline of tigers in the wild. Even though these cats are not officially recognized by the Cat Fanciers Association, they have earned awards since their creation.

Awards aside, these cats are very unique and a favorite among those who can afford them. If you are interested in buying a Toyger cat, know that you have quite a task ahead of you in terms of finances. To find out exactly how much it will cost to own a Toyger, keep reading.

 

Bringing Home a New Toyger Cat: One-Time Costs

When you’re bringing home your new Toyger, know that you will have some pretty expensive one-time costs. You will pay much more for the cat itself than you will for monthly expenses for the rest of its life.

That aside, a new Toyger will typically cost you thousands of dollars. Some can cost you as much as $50,000 just for the cat alone. That number does not even factor in initial setup or supplies.

Free

Unfortunately, it is next to impossible to find a Toyger for free. There are only about 400 Toygers in existence, meaning you should not count on a friend or neighbor who is looking to give away one of these creatures.

Adoption

$500–$1,000

Similarly, it is very rare to find Toygers at an adoption center. If you do find a Toyger, this cat will likely be scooped up really fast and cost much more than the other cats at the center. We could not find a single Toyger for adoption so that we could estimate the price, but we would easily expect it to be between $500 and $1000, even for adoption.

Breeder

$500–$50,000

In order to get a Toyger, you will most likely have to go to a breeder. Breeder prices can range wildly, meaning the Toyger can cost from $500 to $50,000. More realistically, you will probably pay around $5,000 for a single Toyger.

One thing that makes finding a Toyger even more difficult is that you need to go to one that is TCA approved. Pet-quality Toyger kittens can cost as low as $1,500, but Toyger kittens that are show quality or breed quality range between $2,500 and $3,500. Most will require a $200 pet deposit beforehand as well.

Toyger cat
Image Credit: Elena Kutepova, Shutterstock

Initial Setup and Supplies

$365–$500

As though paying for the Toyger wasn’t enough in and of itself, you will also have to pay for the initial setup and supplies. The most basic items include a collar, bed, litter box, scoop, toys, food and water bowls, and food.

On average, the must-have initial setup and supplies cost around $365. This price also includes initial medical care and the spaying or neutering of the cat. If you get additional toys and optional items, that price will increase.

List of Toyger Cat Care Supplies and Costs

ID Tag and Collar $15
Spay/Neuter $200-400
X-Ray Cost $100–$250
Ultrasound Cost $250–$500
Microchip $45-$55
Teeth Cleaning $150-$300
Bed $30
Nail Clipper $7
Brush (optional) $8
Litter Box $25
Litter Scoop $10
Toys $30
Carrier $40
Food and Water Bowls $10

How Much Does a Toyger Cat Cost Per Month?

$50–$150+ per month

One thing that you may be relieved to hear is that owning a Toyger cat is nowhere near as expensive after the initial prices. In most ways, owning a Toyger cat costs about the same as owning any other type of cat.

The ASPCA estimates that most people spend around $53 per month on their cat, which adds up to $634 a year. Although this estimate is not for Toygers specifically, most breeders say that they cost the same for monthly upkeep.

Toyger cat lyig on couch
Image Credit: stockelements, Shutterstock

Health Care

$0–$50 per month

In most respects, Toygers are pretty healthy. For this reason, you may be paying as little as $0 a month on your Toyger’s healthcare. However, you will likely need to pay for flea and tick medicine every other or every three months. You will also need to pay more a month as your cat ages.

Those that have monthly health care costs for their cat or Toyger pay $50 a month for their Toyger on average.

Food

$12–$21 per month

No matter what kind of animal you get, food is a must. Cat food is generally cheaper than dog food. Most people pay between $140 and $250 for cat food annually. Using this math, that breaks down to $12 to $21 a month on food.

Whenever you are selecting food for your Toyger, you absolutely must factor in the quality of the food. For cats, food makes a world of a difference in their health. Making sure you get the right food is essential for your Toyger to stay healthy. Aim for a high protein and moisture count with a low carbohydrate count.

Grooming

$0–$30 per month

Because Toygers are toy tigers, you might expect them to have pretty extensive grooming needs, but that is not the case. In most respects, grooming can be free on the monthly basis as long as you pay upfront for the different tools you will need, such as a brush and nail clipper.

These cats need to be brushed every other week or so. This helps to keep their coat shinier and stronger. You will need to clip their nails too. You can do this at home, or you can go to a professional, where it can cost you between $15 and $25.

Toyger cat on tree
Image Credit: Kutikova Ekaterina, Shutterstock

Medications and Vet Visits

$0–$50+ per month

Toygers are considered a pretty healthy breed. Since they are so meticulously bred, you don’t have as much to worry about when it comes to unforeseen illnesses. For this reason, most people will not have to pay monthly prices for their cat.

That being said, illnesses or injuries can be pretty expensive. This likely will not become an issue until your Toyger ages. After that, you may need to pay monthly prices for medications and regular vet visits.

Pet Insurance

$0–$35 per month

Most pet insurance companies do not have coverage for Toygers specifically, but you can still get pet insurance. Pet insurance typically costs between $10 and $35, depending on the coverage and provider you select.

Because these cats are so expensive, we would definitely recommend getting pet insurance. We wouldn’t necessarily recommend this for all animals, but a Toyger isn’t something that you purchased on a whim. You might as well get pet insurance to make sure you are covered in a worst-case scenario.

If you decide against pet insurance, we certainly recommend having a savings account that you put money into regularly for your pet instead. This will help you out on a rainy day.

Environment Maintenance

$15–$35 per month

One thing that you will have to buy repeatedly for your Toyger is litter box liners, kitty litter, and any other regular maintenance cleaner. These items tend to be very affordable and shouldn’t give you anything to fret about in terms of price. You can get really cheap kitty litter for around $5, but you can get really luxurious Kitty litter for $20.

If you have a sensitive nose, you certainly want to consider deodorizing spray for your cat. All cats can get a bit smelly, Toygers included.

Litter box liners $2 a month
Kitty litter $15
Deodorizing spray or granules $15 a month
Toyger cat broke flower pot
Image Credit: Nataliia Pyzhova, Shutterstock

Entertainment

$10–$50 per month

One thing you may need to spend more money on for a Toyger than traditional house cats is entertainment. These cats can be really mischievous simply because they are very intelligent. Paying for interactive toys or cat boxes can help to minimize your cat’s mischievousness.

We definitely recommend things like cat scratchers, interactive toys, and other items that your Toyger can play with whenever it is feeling restless. If you have the finances to allow it, getting a cat subscription box can help introduce new toys and treats to your Toyger.

You might also be interested in: How Much Does It Cost to Own a Birman Cat?

Total Monthly Cost of Owning a Toyger Cat

$50–$150+ per month

In comparison to the Toyger’s initial price, monthly payments are pretty affordable. In fact, keeping your Toyger happy and healthy costs about the same as if you are paying for just about any other cat.

Still, getting a Toyger is a lifetime investment. Don’t splurge on one of these fancy cats unless you are willing to put up the finances to keep it happy and healthy for the rest of its life.

Toyger cat on white tree
Image By: Kutikova Ekaterina, Shutterstock

Additional Costs to Factor In

Even if you make a really good budget to account for your monthly expenses, there can always be unforeseen prices that pop up. For example, you may need to hire a cat sitter whenever you go out of town. You may also need to pay for freak accidents that your cat may get into.

So that you aren’t in the hole because of a random occurrence, we recommend having a savings account for your Toyger. Simply putting in a little bit of money every month can help you out in the case that your cat gets sick, injured, or needs a babysitter.

Owning a Toyger Cat on a Budget

If you’re on a tight budget, owning a Toyger may not be the option for you just because of how expensive these cats are upfront. Still, there are ways that you can save money on the Toyger once it is welcomed into your home.

It is important to note that you should not sacrifice quality of care for a penny or two. because you are welcoming this creature into your home, you want to offer it the best life possible. That does not mean you have to buy the most expensive items on the shelf. It simply means you have to be intentional when you purchase your cat’s items.

Saving Money on Toyger Cat Care

There are many ways that you can save money on your Toyger’s cat care. For example, buying kitty litter and food in bulk can go a long way in saving money. Additionally, investing in pet insurance may add more to your monthly bills, but it will save you a lot if your cat gets into an accident.

You might also be interested in: How Much Does a Bombay Cat Cost?

Conclusion

Toygers are by no means affordable. These specialty cats can cost you thousands of dollars from a breeder. This high cost makes sense given that breeders have to be approved and undergo strenuous requirements before they can sell their cats. Expect to pay at least $1,000 for a Toyger kitten, if not more.

Once you have paid for your Toyger, the rest of the prices are comparable to owning another cat. The monthly fees will be pretty low assuming that your cat is healthy. Just know that you will have to make a financial commitment to this cat the rest of its life, even if that commitment is not that high for the majority of its life.


Featured Image Credit: Kutikova Ekaterina, Shutterstock

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