SINGAPORE – I had always planned to adopt a cat after getting my first home.
Despite my best efforts to prepare financially, as a first-time pet owner, I still encountered unforeseen costs when adopting my cat.
During my home renovation, I installed cat-proof invisible grilles on my windows.
They cost $4,000, which was not beyond our means but definitely more than what my husband and I had expected.
Despite hearing that some friends bought magnetic grilles from Chinese e-commerce platform Taobao for a much lower price and attached them to the windows, we chose to have ours installed by our contractor as part of the renovation so as not to compromise on our cat’s safety.
My orange tabby cat, Guppy, arrived at my house last November. I adopted him from a cat welfare organisation after he was rescued from a shipyard in Tuas. He was the only one from his litter to survive as the rest of the kittens had died in traffic accidents.
I have learnt a lot about pet care and its costs over the last few months.
For one thing, the monthly costs of pet care can vary greatly from the cost of the occasional medical emergency.
While the monthly spending on cat litter, kibble and canned food is a small amount, one-off veterinary emergencies can amount to thousands of dollars. I have a friend whose cat underwent an unexpected surgery after swallowing a toy. The procedure cost my friend $8,000.
I learnt that I can reduce the chances of such emergencies by paying closer attention to Guppy’s daily health. This includes taking him for regular vet check-ups, getting him vaccinated, and brushing his teeth to reduce the risk of gum disease. I did not know cats needed to have their teeth brushed until I owned one.
It’s also important to set aside a sum of money every month for any unexpected illnesses that might befall your cat. For me, I put aside a few hundred dollars each month for Guppy’s medical fund.
Other costs, while not monthly, are also expenses I have had to factor in. For example, vet check-ups and vaccinations cost a few hundred dollars a year, while dental care costs can range from $150 to $600 annually.
Cats also need flea and parasite treatments, which cost less than $100 per treatment.
Besides building an emergency medical fund for my cat, I also find ways to reduce unnecessary costs.
As Guppy is a domestic short-haired cat, the vet told me that he does not require professional grooming.
Instead, my husband and I bathe him once every few weeks and trim his claws ourselves. Although I have had my share of Guppy’s accidental scratches during these home grooming sessions, I’ve saved a lot of money on grooming.
I also buy cat food and treats in bulk to save on food costs. However, I still choose reputable brands for the sake of my cat’s health.
Another decision I made was not to adopt a second cat, even though my husband and I initially wanted two cats. After planning our finances and learning about the true costs of cat ownership, I decided it was more important to give one cat the best life he can have than to have two cats.
Guppy’s favourite toy is a free eco bag from the writer’s friend.
ST PHOTO: ROSALIND ANG
The biggest advice I have for would-be cat owners would be to adopt instead of buy. Adopting a cat is not only cheaper – I paid just $150 to cover Guppy’s initial vaccinations and medications – it is also a bigger plus to society.
Animal abandonment cases dipped to 58 in 2025, from 120 in the previous year, according to The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Despite this improvement, it appears that cats remain the biggest victims of abandonment.
One thing I realised when I saw cats waiting to be adopted is that the abandonment rate is a lot higher than we think. Fosterers told me about the large number of cats in need of a home, which far exceeds the number of people looking to adopt.
Bringing Guppy home is one of the best decisions I have ever made. While cats will bring endless joy, we should still ensure that we are financially prepared to give them the life that they deserve and a loving home until their last days.
