Bargain Priced Kittens?????

You Get What You Pay For  - as the saying goes – so, read on!    

Sometimes, when I say how much a fully-vaccinated, neutered and insured Rubicatz Ragdoll pet kitten costs (£400+), the reply is: 'HOW MUCH?????  I've seen them advertised for £250/£350....aged 9 weeks old.' 

And you may have...but how much more will you have to spend before the kitten is 14+ weeks old - the age at which our kittens are adopted? 

First of all a 9 week old kitten may or may not be vaccinated (first vaccination only at the most).  To complete the necessary vaccinations for the kitten can cost around £60 - one, possible two visits to the vet.  Even with one vaccination, your vet may not use the same vaccine and insist in 'starting over'.  There's always the possibility of a vaccine reaction (another trip to the vet, maybe, or the worry and risk of nursing the kitten through it). 

Worming and Flea treatment? Around £8 for flea and £3 for worming to add to the price. 

What about neutering?  Absolutely necessary?  Yes!!!  If you don't want a rapidly-maturing kitten to begin toileting all round your house.  Both males and females spray urine - and worse - to advdertise their 'availability' to the opposite sex.  Females will yowl day and night (mostly night!) to let any passing prospective male know they're 'available'.  This can start around 16 weeks of age.

Cost of Neutering?  Charges vary - around £55 for males and £85 for females.  You'll probably take a day off work to take the kitten there and sit at home while you worry about him or her, and the risks which accompany the use of anaesthetic, while surgery takes place.  There will be a return visit, a week later, to have a female kitten's incision checked.  It is preferrable to have a 'mid line' surgery for colourpoint females to avoid spoiling the coat colouring.  Flank spay in a colourpoint cat results in a large area of dark colour on the pale coat where the coat has been shaved off.

BTW....you'll now probably have at least FOUR trips to the vet.

Microchip?  Current price locally is £35 - I can do this for you for £10.

Food and cat litter for five weeks, age 9 to 14 weeks?

- quality dried food - around £30

- quality wet food - around  £20

- cat litter - around £20

So..how much has your £250 or £350 kitten (say female) cost you?

Final cost of £250 kitten - £511; £350 kitten - £611 - and that's not counting a day off work to worry about the surgery or petrol for four visits to the vet.