This is the page where we track every tuna can, glittery toy, and emergency 2 a.m. vet visit—so your wallet doesn’t cough up a hairball. Think of it as Fit bit for your finances, except the steps are made of kibble and the only six-pack you’ll get is a carrier-proof soda stash for yourself. Log a row, have a laugh, and watch the grand total grow slower than your cat’s judgement stare.
| Essential | Lifetime Qty Needed | Est. Lifetime Cost | Fun Fact / Money-Saving Hack |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clay-clumping litter | 8 pounds / month → 1 440 lb | $ 1 080 | Switch to pine pellets → cost drops ≈ 40 % and no dust clouds |
| Dry premium food | 4 pounds / month → 720 lb | $ 2 160 | Buying largest bag + vacuum-sealer beats small bags by 25 % |
| Wet food (supplement) | 3 cans / week → 2 340 cans | $ 1 870 | Rotate flavors; cats get bored same way you’d hate pizza every meal |
| Routine vet visits | 1 / year → 15 visits | $ 1 500 | Ask for “kitten package” up front—often bundles shots + spay for 20 % less |
| Core vaccines (after kitten series) | Booster every 3 year → 5 total | $ 350 | Low-cost vaccine clinics at pet stores run half price |
| Dental cleanings | Every 3 year starting age 3 → 4 total | $ 1 600 | Daily enzymatic chew can push first cleaning to age 5 |
| Scratching posts / refills | 1 post / year → 15 posts | $ 450 | Sisal rope & screwdriver: re-wrap instead of replacing |
| Litter boxes | Replace every 3 year → 5 boxes | $ 125 | Big storage tote + razor = \$ 8 DIY high-sided box |
| Toys & enrichment | $ 10 / month budget | $ 1 800 | DIY toilet-paper rolls + silvervine sticks slash cost 70 % |
| Pet insurance (accident+illness) | $ 25 / month starting the first year | $ 4 200 | Look for 90 % reimbursement + no payout cap; pays off if cat develops one chronic condition |
| Emergency fund contribution | $ 20 / month savings | $ 3 600 | Not “if,” it’s “when”—stash in high-yield online account |