Estimated reading time: 16 minutes
Get insights into cat ownership in Canada, from the costs of caring for a cat to the unique experiences of having a feline friend in this country.
We’ve all heard about cat stories from hell, but that still doesn’t deter us from falling in love with these cute and cuddly felines.
Before You Say Yes To Cat Ownership, Do Your Research
Fun Fact: Did you know when your cat is two years old in human years, your cat is 24 years old in cat years?
Every year after that, your cat lives in human years, adding four cat years to their age. Amazing!
Today, you’ll learn everything I know about raising a cat in Canada.
My Childhood Cat Responsibilities
Growing up, my mom and dad had two tabby cats that I would help care for.
My job was to ensure the water bowls were filled with clean water and fed in the morning and evening.
Thankfully, my parents cared for the kitty litter as I wasn’t prepared for that job as a child. Yuck!
Over the years, I soon realized I was allergic to cats as I sneezed and got big bumps on my skin.
That was when I wanted nothing to do with cats apart from viewing them from afar.
Cats are sometimes cuddly, playful, and dull, depending on their personality, as no two cats are alike.
Adopting My First Pet
As I ventured out on my own and bought my first house, I decided to get a dog, and he lived until our son was born in 2014.
I adopted him from a lady who could no longer care for him, and it wasn’t until the end that the vet bills started piling up.
He lived a good old life, but looking back, I would undoubtedly do more like a pet owner regarding pet budgeting.
Although he may have cost us about $3000 in vet bills before he passed away, we would have been in a financial bind if we had not saved that money.
Our Son Wants To Adopt A Cat
He doesn’t just want a cat. He promises to take good care of him and be his daddy.
Of course, every kid says that. I noted that although I had to do my chores, there were consequences.
We raise our son the same way, so he understands the responsibility and earns an allowance for doing certain chores.
Costs To Own Six Cats In Canada
For the past two years, going to and from school, our son stops at a house up the road with six cats.
CBB fan Chantal shares her monthly costs.
Every situation differs, so just because this is what she pays doesn’t mean you will, but it’s a good indication.
Chantal Jolicoeur
I have six cats and a dog.
- Two cat litter- $14 per week
- One big bag every three weeks- $10 per week
- Various toys- $5 per month
- Vet bills and visits- I allow 100$ per year per animal.
They are indoor and outdoor cats, so they roam whenever they are let out and come inside for the evening.
Our son has become quite attached to two of the cats.
One is a ginger, and the other is a tabby cat.
We had no idea the names for the longest time, so he just called them whatever he wanted.
The ginger cat is fluffy, and the tabby is called kitty, and that’s how we greeted them every day before and after school.
Two weeks ago, Mrs. CBB met the homeowner, who was very happy to have our son on the property to see them.
He even went as far as to tell us the real names and so fluffy, and kitty is no more.
Sitting on the ground petting and cuddling the cats is uncommon for our son.
Last week, he asked if we could get a cat to bring to our house.
It wasn’t his first rodeo with cats either, as we’ve been to the pet store many times.
He would sit in front of the cages and play with (annoy) the cats but never wanted one until now.
Concerns About Owning A Cat
Both my wife and I talked about cat ownership, and we have a few concerns
- My allergies
- Costs of owning a cat
- House cleanliness
House Cleanliness
Not all houses smell like a cat lives there, but most like walking into a home where someone smokes inside.
You can smell that, as did we with our dog, and we aren’t sure if we are prepared to go through that again.
The other thing was the dog hair; owning certain pets, depending on the breed, will almost always bring pet hair.
Perhaps it sounds selfish, but not when you have a wife who struggles with always having a clean home; it’s tough.
Since our son has come around, things have changed, but she’s concerned about whether she can handle any pet smells in the home.
She had to smell poopy diapers for three years, so perhaps that might be the game-changer.
Costs of Owning A Cat
There are both monthly costs and financial risks involved when owning a cat.
Owning a pet is a big financial risk; you must be prepared for the unexpected, whether you have an indoor cat or an outdoor pet.
This is where I asked my Facebook readers to help me because I knew they would have the answers we sought.
Consider the costs involved in adopting a cat or taking a stray.
Perhaps you are already straining to make ends meet, and your budget is tight, but you might be able to fit some cat food in. Please don’t do it.
It’s not fair to the cat.
Owning a pet means you need to have a budget category for pets and a pet fund where you save up for emergencies throughout the year.
Alicia Dutka
We budget a certain amount every year per pet to cover;
- Annual checkup
- Vaccinations
- Medications
- Unexpected visits to the vet
We divide it into a monthly amount that gets transferred beginning each month into a savings account earmarked “Pet Fund.”
You can treat your pet fund as a projected expense by calculating estimated yearly costs, dividing them monthly, and saving them in the bank.
When you need the money, you won’t have to scramble for it because you’ll have it.
Some years, you might not use all of your pet funds, but that’s ok because you might need it all the following year.
The key is to have a pet fund for when an emergency vet visit arises, and they will tell you what it will cost to help fix your family pet.
My two cats cost me $300 in food, litter, and treats.
I also put away $50/month for vet/emergency expenses plus annual licenses of $60 for my three pets.
Jenn Harding – Facebook CBB
Expenses Buying Cat Food and Supplies
When we owned our dog, we used coupons to buy his pet food, as he wasn’t on any particular diet.
Buying cat food from the vet may be recommended, or perhaps you want to feed your pet high-quality food.
The choice may or may not be yours, but always ask about rewards programs, discounts, and whether pet coupons are available.
Also, sign up for the FlashFood App as they offer discounted food from Rens Pet Depot and Loblaws stores.
Cost Of Owning One Cat In Canada
As Dana Lynn points out below, she often finds buying cat food in the United States is far cheaper than buying it in Canada.
We have one cat:
- Litter, 18kg bag costs $9 (tax in) and lasts 6 weeks, so approx. $78/year.
- One-time purchase of a litter box, approx. $20.
- We buy Royal Canin Indoor Adult cat food, 15 lb (6.81kg) bag costs $84 (tax in) and lasts 6 months, so $168/year.
Recently, we found the same food across the border in Bellingham, Washington, for less.
We live in Surrey, B.C., so it’s close for us.) For USD 45, exchanging the same 15 lb bag costs approximately CAD 60, a savings of $24.
Strangely, this cat food brand is made in Canada but is cheaper to purchase in the U.S.
We’ve had our cat for 10 years, and luckily (knock on wood), we’ve had minimal vet costs.
Maybe $400 total over 10 years for shots, check-ups, etc.
We got our cat from the Surrey SPCA. Current adoption fees for kittens include spaying/neutering and cost $244.
We paid less (maybe $180) 10 years ago, so fees have increased.
- Total yearly cost for our cat between food and litter: $246.
- If food is purchased in the U.S. total yearly cost is: $198.
Plus, we love to travel and do weekend getaways quite often, so a cat is easier to care for in terms of leaving alone for a few nights.
Dana Lynn Facebook
For cat supplies such as toys, beds, and scratching poles, you can always buy second-hand, so look around second-hand shops.
I would buy a cat bed brand new, but that’s just me.
Many cat owners suggested going to the Dollar store for deals on cat toys to keep costs low.
Importance of Cat Insurance
Do I Need To Buy Cat Insurance?
That’s up to you and whether you can afford it; however, it probably is a brilliant idea, and one of the best companies to buy pet insurance from in Canada is Trupanion.
Get a FREE cat quote from Trupanion
How does cat insurance work?
I had to research, which wasn’t as bad as I thought. Trupanion does have it all.
Cat health insurance is simple with Trupanion.
You pay a monthly premium in order to be covered for any unexpected illnesses or injuries throughout your cat’s life.
Rest assured knowing Trupanion has your back.
When you file a claim, we’ll cover 90% of eligible healthcare expenses for your cat.
You are responsible for any non-eligible expenses, your deductible and the remaining 10%.
Trupanion
Coverage For Cat Insurance
What is covered with Cat Insurance through Trupanion?
Ah, the question everyone wants to know as a cat owner considering cat insurance.
What’s covered with Cat Insurance?
- Illnesses & injuries
- Hereditary & congenital conditions
- Diagnostic tests
- Surgeries
- Hospital stays
- Medications
- Veterinary supplements
- Prosthetic devices & carts
But wait, What’s not covered under my cat insurance if I purchase it?
What’s Not Covered By Cat Insurance
- Exam fees
- Sales tax, where applicable
- Wellness & preventive care
- Pre-existing conditions (an illness or condition that occurred or showed symptoms before your pet’s coverage effective date)
Other than the food, expenses for our cats include deworming treatment, shots, flea and tick treatment, and initial spaying and neutering.
We haven’t had any major health issues with either, but a visit to the vet for unexpected issues can cost hundreds.
I recommend getting pet insurance we spend around $90 a month on three cats and a rabbit.
I also get my long hair cat groomed a few times a year that about $100 a time
Lynn Clayton
How Much Does Your Cat Cost You?
Below, you will read the feedback from many readers of Canadian Budget Binder who contributed their input for this post on the Costs of Owning a Cat in Canada.
Mary Gillespie
Other than the food, expenses for our cats include deworming treatment, shots, flea and tick treatment, and initial spaying and neutering.
We haven’t had any major health issues with either, but a visit to the vet for unexpected problems can cost hundreds.
Stephanie Porter
I have three cats; one was adopted at $200 from a rescue shelter, and two were abandoned without owners, whom we took in and paid vet bills for immediately.
Costs:
- Litter @$13.00 with 2 litter boxes to fill and change weekly is $52.00 monthly.
- Food is Iams at $9 a bag and lasts weekly, $36.00 (no special diet; our previous cat’s food was required vet food at $42.00/bag).
- Toys are fairly easy and can be bought at the Dollar store for $10 monthly.
- Cat scratcher (climbable) $40.00 and two additional posts at $10 each.
- Brushes and pet nail clippers are reasonable, and I use the pet bed I sewed myself.
Vet bills typically start at $300 for vaccinations and spaying/neutering.
Checkups according to the latest data, The Average Cost of a General Pet Examination Ranges from $50 to $250.
We’ve never had pet insurance; our previous 3 wouldn’t have been covered for kidney failure due to age.
However, before that, only one had vet visits for crystals in the urine, hence the $42 bags of vet food every week to maintain their health.
They lived until they were 17,18 and 19 years of age.
Buy Your Cat Grooming Tools
Christine Weadick
Our cat is part Maine Coon cat so she tends to be a big girl.
She got a little too big so now eats a special weight control cat food we get from the vets.
$65 for a big bag that lasts Miss Molly roughly 2-1/2 months
We do the grooming of her long fur and clip the mats if one gets too big to comb out.
A metal comb for her was $15. and the clippers were around $70, one time fees there.
Susan Drouillard
I have an indoor, 12 year old ragdoll cat.
She costs us;
- $100 a year for annual vet check and shots
- $15 per month for food
- $25 once every 6 weeks for litter
She came fixed from the breeder.
Costs of Feeding An Outdoor Cat
Cynthia Sunshine Biggs
- One outdoor fixed cat = $35 for outdoor cat shots/vet
- Food is $60 a year
I have had her 11 years after I found her dumped on my property.
I do the basics for her but nothing fancy. Not feral, but not a pet really either.
She’s $100 per year.
Judy Cowan
We have 2 cats and 2 dogs, and we budget $5000 yearly for our pets.
Some years, we have spent less than this; others, more depending on whether you have any illnesses/accidents, etc., resulting in higher vet bills for them.
We had one year when vet bills alone cost us $5000.
Their costs can add up, so you should plan and be prepared.
Questions To Ask Yourself Before Adopting A Cat
As a cat owner, Katie has been a wealth of information, sharing what questions you should ask before adopting a cat.
Grooming costs are also something to consider, especially if you aren’t interested in doing the work.
Like Christine, Weadick mentions she purchased her grooming tools for $70.
That small upfront cost will certainly have returns.
Another reader mentioned that calling your local SPCA animal shelter or humane society to ask questions is a valuable resource.
Just remember, cats aren’t free and come with an adoption fee, so make that one of your first questions.
How much will it cost to adopt a cat?
Adopting a pet from the Humane Society typically costs about $200+, including a vet check and spade/neutering.
However, be warned that if you take on a cat for free from someone or a rescue cat, you will want the cat checked by a vet first.
You may pay someone else’s vet bills if the cat is ill.
How Far Are You Willing To Go As A Cat Owner?
As Katie points out below, you need to consider many things, especially added costs, if your pet gets ill and needs medical supplies every month.
Costs For Two Cats In Canada
Katie Deroo
We have two shaded silver Persians.
They are both fixed and microchipped and got all their first shots.
We don’t take them to the vet for yearly checkups; we will do them periodically.
I’ve taken in my cat to get shaved because her mats got bad once, so make sure to factor in any grooming costs.
We don’t do shots annually because we do not let them outside alone or on the ground with us.
A large bag of pretty high-quality dry food will last us. I’ll say a month to a month and a half for both cats.
I think it’s about $60 a bag, but where we buy it, there is a loyalty card for the brand we buy.
For every 10 bags you buy, you get a free one, which is nice.
We use Temptations treats every day.
Saving Money Instead Of Pet Insurance
No pet insurance; for the number of problems we have with our cats, it’s been cheaper to save some monthly money specifically for pet health.
Our one cat just recently developed kidney problems, so now there is the added monthly expense of fluids/needles/syringes.
She is only seven years old this year and should live for about 14 years.
So be prepared for unexpected situations and costs at the vet, as I was not expecting this at all.
Be prepared to have picky eaters or if you have two of the same for one to eat something different.
Also, consider flavour preferences, dry vs. wet vs. raw food.
In the future, I will try to get them started on wet or raw food, if I can, to try and avoid kidney problems.
Always have an emergency pet fund.
Contribute whatever you can every month to be there to cover things you weren’t expecting.
This fund doesn’t pay for food, litter, or everyday stuff.
Take advantage of sales whenever you can.
Also, consider food and water dishes, litter boxes, litter, puppy training pads (if needed), and any extra things you may want to get for your pet (toys, beds, scratching posts, treehouses).
Leashes, collars, carriers, harnesses, grooming tools, etc.
You have to ask yourself many questions about what kind of work you are willing to put in.
If you want to splurge for the extras that you don’t need, if you want to give low-quality food because it’s cheaper, etc.
With food, I understand you may feel like you can’t afford higher quality, but it will be worth it to ensure your pet is as healthy as it can be for as long as possible.
Danelle Warren
I have three cats and two dogs.
The cat food is $70 every 6 weeks or so, I also buy them the occasional wet formula.
None are on any medications thankfully but annual visits for them are between $150-$300 depending on what blood work they are due for that year (all are seniors now).
Litter costs us $10 a week (Costco 22.5kgs)
They are indoor cats so I don’t have them on flea prevention but if I did that would be approx $300 a year for all of them.
Costs of Cat Urinary Tract Infection
Marie-Myriame LeBouthillier
We have two cats that feed grain-free food (Acana, 40$).Both cats got an Urinary Tract Infection.
- Cat #1 stopped pooping because he was constipated—$ 600 to have an x-ray showing poop.
- Cat #2 got crystal in his bladder (untreated can kill). X-rays, sedation, and other stuff to blast the crystals cost $1700.
- Cat #1 again got a crystal, too. It was caught very early, and we only got billed $200.
- Both are now on Royal Canin Urinary food. ($32/2 weeks).
This includes the usual maintenance cost, like cat litter (10$/2 per week), yearly check-ups, vaccination, and most importantly, spayed and neutered (130-170$, the price can vary).
Throughout their lifetime (average of 15 years), my cats would have cost me at least one Hermès bag.
Effie Brenda Frank
I have two cats currently, have had dogs in the past too.
I spend about $15-$20/m for food and litter and $200 for shots and a check-up annually.
Cat Ownership Costs Overview
My wife and I have learned much about adopting a cat and the costs involved.
Like owning any pet, you have to remember that leaving for extended periods means you need to find animal support.
We often feed our neighbour’s cat when they jet off on vacation and don’t charge him, but someone else might.
Many people are willing to visit your cat, feed them, let them out, and play for a flat daily fee.
Around $20-25 is the going rate from our Kijiji and Facebook Marketplace research for an hour’s work.
It’s not too bad if you ask me, considering the costs of putting a dog in a kennel can cost far more.
Cat Allergies
I’ve been around cats for the last few years without incident; however, I would still have to be checked to see if I am still allergic.
If the answer is yes, then I’m afraid our little guy might have to consider a dog or hamster.
So, we are still discussing adopting a cat for our family and will see how far our son goes with wanting to take on this responsibility.
On the budgeting side, we should be ok with the added expenses, although if we don’t need to, we won’t bother.
Sometimes, a special visit to the pet store is all a child desires, or perhaps a walk to the neighbour’s for a visit with their cat will suffice.
Discussion: What other expenses or questions should someone consider when adopting a cat in Canada?
Please leave your comments below, as I’d love your feedback.
Mr.CBB
I have terrible cat allergies and, like your wife, I really hate the smell of litter. But both my wife and I grew up with cats and the home felt lonely without.
So after a tonne of research, we got a Devon Rex kitten.
She has been one of the best decisions we ever made. She doesn’t shed at all and though not technically hypoallergenic, I have had no problems with my allergies and she doesn’t shed at all.
As for the litter smell, we have been training her with Litter Kwitter so that she can use the toilet. It’s slow going, but just having the litter on the toilet where it can be dumped immediately and flushed makes a HUGE difference.
I highly recommend a Devon Rex. 🙂
Oh wow, see something else I never considered was looking for a cat that doesn’t shed. Smart idea. Oh, my child may thank you one day for this tip.
Yes the corn husk ground litter is not perfect, but it does clump well and if you clean these out daily it keeps its neutral odor better than all others I have tried.
Non-allergenic cats: research Norwegian Forest Cat, they apparently are one of the better cats for allergens. (I have read it is not their dander, but the saliva they lick themselves with that is the allergen?) These cats are big, but also very smart, so they need companionship and entertainment.
High end, grain free soft cat food is currently about $3. per can (7 oz) in B.C. (Instinct, Weruva)
this lasts my one cat about 2 – 3 days, so $30 month, in addition she gets higher end Instinct and Fromm dry food at about $40 per bag so it is not cheap to feed this one little cat.
In addition I do buy the ground corn husk cat litter which does not smell and no clay dust to breathe in, at $20 per bag. I believe this lasts much longer than the clay based, if you keep the litter box cleaned daily.
Hi Anne,
It sounds like there are options for kitty litter to help avoid the smell.
Yes I love the corn litter, its not perfect but the best I’ve found.
Research Norwegian Forest Cat, they are big, fluffy, and very very smart, so need companionship and entertainment. My granddaughter has one, her brother is highly allergic but can tolerate this cat. Try it before you buy it!
My daughter would LOVE a cat too, but I am allergic. In fact, for her grade 1 persuasive writing project a few years ago, it was all about how I should get allergy shots so that she can have a cat! The smell is a big issue. Our basement tenant has a cat, and when we were downstairs a couple of weeks ago replacing the boiler system, it sure smelled terrible! Thankfully since we don’t have air ducts, the smell stays down there.
It’s so important to think about the whole cost of having a pet. Vets are expensive, and there are always little things too. I just paid the annual license fee for our dog.
Hahaha… that is something our son would do too. The smell is our concern but some of the readers say there is a special kind of kitty litter you can buy. The worst is when they don’t do their business in the kitty litter as it’s tough to get the smell out.
[…] How much does it cost to raise a cat in Canada? Well, I know our two guys cost us a couple hundred bucks per month – but we wouldn’t dare cutback on them. […]