What Health Budget For Your Cat For The Year?

For your cat to live as long as possible and in the best conditions, it is important to take him to consult a veterinarian as soon as he is adopted and then at least once a year to perform a full check. To this will be added the unforeseen : illnesses and accidents. Update on the annual health budget for your cat.

The First Veterinary Care Of The Kitten

As soon as the kitten arrives at home, several actions will be scheduled with your veterinarian such as:

• Identification, by microchip or tattoo, is compulsory: count from 50 to 70€. (Namely that any owner of an unidentified animal is liable to a fine of 4^e class for an amount of €135);
• The vaccination against viral diseases. Coryza, typhus, rabies, cat HIV (leucosis) or chlamydiosis can be prevented with vaccines. Not all of them are essential and their necessity varies according to the way of life of your animal (indoor or outdoor cat). The veterinarian will be able to advise you. For the combined typhus, coryza, leucosis and booster vaccine, count an average budget of €140 the first year;
• Sterilization or castration. Plan around 140€ for a female and 70€ for a male;
• Deworming. It is common for young kittens to have worms and an untreated infestation can cause serious illness. From 3 weeks, it is generally advisable to deworm the kitten once a month until the age of 6 months and then every 3 months. Price: from €6 to €8 per tablet, i.e. €50 on average the first year;
• A treatment against external parasites. Without the presence of fleas or ticks, the administration of antiparasitic products is not justified for a kitten.

Veterinary Costs For Adult Cats

From its first birthday, a cat requires an annual visit from control to the vet. For our companions, whose longevity is much shorter than that of humans, a year represents a fairly long period of time during which disorders can develop insidiously. A early detection of pathologies makes it possible to avoid their aggravation, or even to stop their progression.

• The vaccination. Annual booster shots cost around €70. The rabies vaccine is not mandatory and comes as a supplement in certain situations (cats leaving French territory; participating in a cat show; staying in a pension, etc.);
• Antiparasitic treatments and deworming. Be sure to regularly give your cat tablets to fight against external parasites (fleas, ticks) and internal ones (worms). Pest control products in pipette form cost an average of 8 to 10€ per month, to which is added a total of 50€ worth of deworming. So count on an average annual budget of €150 for these treatments;
• Descaling. When your cat gets older, it is recommended to have it scaled by a veterinarian to maintain good oral hygiene. You should know that 70% of cats over 3 years old have periodontal disease, that is to say inflammation and infection of the tissues surrounding the teeth (which includes the gums and the bone of the jaw). Prices: from 50 to 100€ per session.

Expenses Related To Cat Accidents And Illnesses

Beyond current health costs, it will also be necessary to take into account the unforeseen involving the prescription of drugs, radiology or even surgical interventions which can immediately increase the annual bill. Some examples of average prices:

• Classic consultation: €45;
• Emergency consultation: €75;
• Blood test or urine analysis: €10 to €20;
• Biochemical assessment: €60;
• Ultrasound: 30 to 70€;
• Anesthesia: €45;
• X-ray: €40;
• MRI or scanner: from €250 to €500;
• Treatment of a urinary tract infection: €30;
• Single wound: €60. With suture: 150€:
• Treatment of gastroenteritis: €80;
• Alergies : €250 to €300 per quarter;
• Diabetes: 30 to 40 €/month;
• Removal of a cyst (without tumour): €190;
• Tumor removal: €600;
• Operation following a fracture: between €200 and €700;
• Cancer surgery, radiotherapy sessions: from 1200 to 1500€.

Health Insurance For The Cat?

The price of a consultation with the veterinarian varies significantly from one department to another but also between two firms practicing in the same city. As a reminder, the pricing policy is not regulated, professionals are free to set their prices as they see fit. Taking out health insurance for your cat with a mutual specialized can be useful for covering unforeseen veterinary costs such as major surgeries or chronic illnesses. Insuring your feline will cost you between 7 and 20€ per month for a basic formula when the price of a formula premium will generally be between 30 and 60€ per month.