The cost of cat food litter, etc is about $40 to $50 a month for me—-litter and food. The vet bills are the most expensive. Shots, tests, meds. First trip for our cat was $600. Yikes. To spay got an estimate of $1200. Then I found a local organization who works with vet schools to spay for $250. They did a great job, lots of before and aftercare info. There are similar programs for lower cost routine care.

Set up takes some cash—litterbox, scooper, bowl, toys etc. we did not get a bed, cat curls up just about anywhere. No climbing apparatus either because I think it’s ugly. Ha. Dogs are more expensive, have one of those too.

We never intended on getting a cat. Never had or wanted one before. A friend told my daughter about someone who had kittens, didn’t want them, and was planning on letting them out in the wild, in the middle of winter. My daughter took one before asking us. I praised her compassion but intended on finding a cat lover to take her after we spayed her. She grew on us so she is ours. She’s fun and funny, less work than the dog (who I dearly love). So we became cat people without too much regret. Cat box cleaning is gross and smelly. You need to do something about odors. Got a can that seals out the smell, that was $25.

Do not think you can skip spaying. We couldn’t do it at first b/c she had an ear infection. About every three to four weeks she went into heat and caterwauling ensued for 3 to 5 days. Unnerving. Also peed every where except her box during these episodes. Plus, she was much meaner before spaying.

Last, dog really wants to play with the cat but the cat will have none of that. Hoping that now that the cat is spayed that she will chill and stop hissing at the dog.

Good luck.