Recently, the Japanese insurance company R&C released a highly talked-about survey report estimating the total lifetime cost of owning a cat. Based on responses from 3,000 Japanese cat owners, the average lifetime expense is roughly 2.64 million yen!
These costs include everything from one-time purchases like cat towers and carriers, to regularly replaced items such as cat litter, and routine vaccinations. Unexpected expenses like medical treatments for illnesses or injuries, as well as damages to furniture, are also factored in.
Overview of Lifetime Expenses
The survey categorized the expenses into three main groups:
- Daily expenses (consumables, cat litter, food, etc.): approximately 46%
- Occasional expenses (health check-ups, vaccines, medical care, air conditioning, etc.): approximately 49%
- Initial costs (purchase, neutering/spaying, supplies, etc.): approximately 5%
Detailed Breakdown of Costs
| Category | Lifetime Cost | Monthly Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Food (main meals and snacks) | 644,885 | 3,515 |
| Toilet Supplies (cat litter, deodorizing mats, etc.) | 360,936 | 1,970 |
| Consumables (scratching boards, bathing products, toys, etc.) | 224,627 | 1,239 |
| Medical Expenses (illness, injury, etc.) | 468,419 | — |
| Vaccinations | 67,856 | — |
| Health Check-ups | 112,746 | — |
| Increased Air Conditioning Costs (compared to no cat) | 262,038 | 5,592 |
| Increased Heating Costs (compared to no cat) | 393,393 | 6,295 |
| Initial Supplies (cat tower, carrier, dishes, litter box, etc.) | 23,152 | — |
| Initial Neutering/Spaying | 19,076 | — |
| Pet Insurance | 553,891 | 2,912 |
Additional Insights
Regarding the source of cats, 22.5% of owners purchased their cats, 39.4% adopted from animal shelters or protection centers, and 36.7% took in stray cats.
- Average initial purchase cost: 185,201 yen
- Average initial adoption cost: 4,086 yen
The report also notes that unexpected expenses, such as damages to furniture caused by cats, can be numerous and varied, so they were not itemized individually.
Conclusion
This comprehensive survey by R&C Insurance sheds light on the significant financial commitment involved in caring for a cat throughout its lifetime in Japan. Prospective cat owners should be aware that beyond the initial excitement, maintaining a happy and healthy feline companion requires ongoing investment in food, health care, and other necessities — totaling approximately 2.64 million yen.
