Balinese cats are closely related to Siamese cats, sharing many of their characteristics, including their lovable nature and graceful movements. But finding out how much these cats cost can be challenging, especially if you have never purchased one before. You head online for some guidance but are met with page after page of confusing and conflicting answers, leaving you unsure where to turn or who to trust.
That is where we come in! Let us walk you through the cost of buying a Balinese cat from a breeder and an adoption shelter and all the additional costs you must consider before bringing a Balinese cat into your home.
Balinese cats can cost between $200 and $1,500 in Australia, depending on whether you purchase them from a breeder or an adoption shelter. Typically, you will find the lower costs advertised by adoption shelters, which prioritise finding cats their perfect home over profit. The higher prices are usually listed by registered breeders, with the price increasing depending on the age and lineage of the cat.
You can often find breeders selling Balinese cats for low prices, but we recommend avoiding these. The low prices typically come from unregistered breeders, who do not adhere to the same code of ethics as registered breeders. Unregistered breeders might offer a more enticing price, but cut corners when it comes to caring for their cats, and you might end up with a poor cat or one with genetic conditions. Instead, buying your cat from registered breeders or adoption shelters is best.
When you buy a Balinese cat from a breeder, you can pay between $1,000 and $1,500, depending on the breeder you choose, the cat’s age, and their lineage. Purebred Balinese kittens will usually reach the top of the price range, while you can expect to pay less for older Balinese cats who do not have a purebred lineage.
A registered and reputable breeder will be able to provide information about the cat’s lineage, along with the care they have received before you pick them up, so you know they have been ethically bred and received the proper care. Often, the care and genetic testing breeders have performed will be reflected in the price of your kitten. Reputable breeders will be happy to answer any questions you have about the cat, their breeding practices, and lineage, so don’t be afraid to ask as many questions as needed to help you decide if they are the right cat for you.
You can expect to pay less for a Balinese cat purchased through an adoption shelter, usually costing between $200 and $500. The price of a cat from an adoption shelter will vary depending on the shelter’s location and the cat’s age. Younger cats and kittens tend to cost more due to their popularity, while older cats will sit at a lower price point.
Adoption shelters don’t tend to provide the same information about a Balinese cat’s lineage as a breeder would, but they will still offer as much information as possible about the cat. You will learn about their temperament, personality, and any health conditions they have before deciding if you can provide them with a home. The adoption shelter will also ask you about your home, lifestyle, and other pets you have to match cats to the right home.
Several factors influence the cost of a Balinese cat in Australia, including the cat’s age, lineage, and the breeder’s reputation. Understanding these factors and how they influence the cost can help you narrow your search and find the perfect cat for your home. We have detailed the common factors that influence the cost of a Balinese cat below.
The cat’s lineage is an important factor that impacts the price of a cat. Purebred Balinese cats will cost more and often come with authentication to prove their lineage. The higher cost of a purebred Balinese is down to breeding, health testing, and maintaining the right environment for them, all of which come at a great cost to breeders. They can push some of these high costs to customers, knowing that the demand for purebred cats is high, and they will find customers to pay the price.
Another important factor influencing the cost is the breeder’s reputation. The more reputable the breeder is, the more they will charge for their cat. A reputable breeder will have ensured that every cat is healthy before they go to their new home, providing them with necessary vaccinations, vet appointments, and genetic testing to ensure the cats they breed do not pass on any illnesses.
A reputable breeder will usually have an online presence, too, or good recommendations from other cat owners, helping you determine if they are as trustworthy as they claim. They will also be happy to answer any questions that you have about the cat, ensuring that you have the information you need to make your purchase.
The age of the cat also determines the cost, with younger cats and kittens costing more. Not only are kittens more popular, but breeders invest more in kittens, which increases their cost. Kittens need constant care, vet appointments, and vaccinations before they can come to their new home, which pushes their cost up. Whether you purchase a kitten from an adoption shelter or a breeder, you will notice a higher price.
Older cats are usually offered at a lower price and can still provide the same love and companionship as a kitten. When purchasing an older cat, you are likely giving them a second chance at happiness and a new space to live out their senior years.
Once you have paid for your Balinese cat, you need to consider the cost of essentials that your cat needs. Your Balinese cat will need a bed, feeding bowl, collar and other essentials, ranging from $5 to $360 per item. It is important that you consider these costs to ensure that you can afford to provide your cat with the life it deserves. You should also consider that these essentials will need to be repurchased throughout your cat’s life as they grow or break. Below, we have detailed the cost of essentials that you need to consider for your cat:
Cat crate: can cost between $39 and $150, depending on the brand and size of the crate. Check the measurements before ordering to ensure that you have plenty of room for your cat.
Cat bed: can cost between $13 and $200 depending on the brand, the thickness and material of the bed. You want to ensure the bed is plush enough to keep you comfortable and offer plenty of space for them.
Feeding bowl: can cost between $10 and $50 depending on the size and brand of the bowl. Specialist bowls to slow down the speed of your cat’s food will also add to the cost of the bowl.
Collar/lead: can cost from $5 to $35 depending on the type and material of the lead and collar.
Car harness: can cost between $5 and $50 depending on the size and brand. You need to ensure that you provide the right size to keep your cat secure.
Cat treats: can cost between $5 and $10 a week depending on the brand and how many treats your cat eats a week.
Litter tray: can cost between $300 to $360 a year depending on how often your cat uses the litter tray or if they toilet outside.
Clippers, combs, and brushes: can cost between $5 and $20 per item, depending on the brand and material.
Balinese cats also have maintenance costs that you need to consider, including food, vet bills, and grooming costs. The price of these can vary depending on the brand of food you choose and how often they are professionally groomed, but you can expect to pay several hundred dollars a year to maintain your cat.
When purchasing your cat, you need to ensure that you have enough money to keep them fed and provide veterinary care when needed. To help you determine your budget, we have outlined the main maintenance costs you need to consider below:
Typically, it can cost between $20 and $80 a month to feed a Balinese cat. The price can vary depending on the type of food you choose, with wet food and raw diets costing more than dry kibble. Some Balinese cats can be fussy about the food they will eat, so you might initially spend more on food as you try different types and brands to find the food your cat will eat.
When looking for food for your Balinese cat, look for those with a high protein content and natural ingredients, providing your cat with a healthy and balanced diet that suits their activity level. You don’t need to spend a fortune to find high-quality ingredients, but you might need to spend some time carefully reading ingredient lists.
Based on an adult Balinese cat weighing between 3.6 and 6.8 kg, you can expect to pay the following for their food:
Veterinary care costs for your Balinese cat vary from $25 to $700 per treatment, costing you hundreds of dollars a year. The costs vary depending on the treatment you are paying for, the vet you choose, and whether any treatments are covered by your pet insurance or not. The costs we have outlined below are all preventative treatments and do not consider any emergency treatment or health conditions you wish to address. To help avoid any surprise payments, we recommend investing in comprehensive pet insurance.
Below are the preventative treatments you can expect to pay for every year:
Annual vet checkups: can cost between $80 and $150, depending on the price of your vet. The cost can increase if any follow-up appointments or treatments are needed.
Vaccinations: can cost between $80 and $150 depending on the size of your cat and the prices your vet sets. The price can vary depending on the size of your cat, with larger cats seeing a higher price.
Worming and parasite treatment: can cost around $200 a year to provide coverage for your cat. The cost can increase for treatment to remove parasites, so it’s best to follow up regular preventative treatments.
Dental cleaning: can cost between $300 and $700 depending on the level of cleaning required and if your cat needs to be sedated for the treatment.
Pet insurance: can cost between $25 and $80 a month depending on the level of cover you choose, your cat’s health, and their age.
Balinese cats have longhaired coats, but you can choose to groom these at home easily if needed. They will need regular brushing to prevent mats and shed less than other longhaired cat breeds, so you don’t need to worry about removing excessive fur. You can choose to pay for a professional groomer for your Balinese cat, costing between $70 and $120 depending on the groomer you choose and their services.
Some groomers will include nail clipping as part of their fee, while others will charge it as an additional service, along with other treatments you might want to offer your cat. When booking your groom, make sure to find out what is included so you aren’t shocked by any extra fees. Some groomers also charge an extra fee if your cat arrives for their groom with fleas, as they will need to sanitise their stations before they can groom other animals.
Balinese cats are very intelligent, making training them fairly easy. You can choose to pay a trainer to help you, costing between $99 and $2,800 depending on how long the course is, and the type of training you choose. You can choose from short courses that help you address any concerns with your cat, or longer courses where you will learn about caring and training cats more generally. Consider carefully what you want from your training course before paying for it.
Balinese cats can be expensive to buy and care for, but you can reduce the cost. Purchasing a Balinese from an adoption shelter and investing in pet insurance can help to reduce the cost and avoid any surprise fees, all while giving a cat a new home and another chance of happiness.
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