Bombay cats are loving, playful, and are the perfect companion for anyone who wants an active pet in their home. Their black coat makes them easy to spot, and their friendly nature allows them to share homes with other pets. Finding out how much a Bombay cat costs can be tricky, especially if you have never purchased a cat in Australia before. You head online for some guidance but are met with conflicting and confusing information, leaving you unsure where to turn.
Our guide is here to help, showing you the cost of a Bombay cat and the additional costs you need to consider before bringing a Bombay cat into your home.
The cost of a Bombay cat varies from $200 to $2000, depending on if you purchase the cat from a breeder or an adoption shelter. Other factors also influence the cost of a Bombay cat, like its age, lineage, and the reputation of the breeder. When purchasing a Bombay cat, breeders will usually charge a higher fee, and adoption shelters will charge less.
When you see a price from a breeder that is surprisingly low or seems too good to be true, we recommend avoiding them. Unregistered breeders can charge less for their Bombay cats, which can seem like a good deal, but they don’t always deliver on quality. They can overbreed cats, leaving their Bombay cats in lethal conditions, or they may not care for them properly, leaving kittens malnourished. It is best to avoid these prices and opt for a registered breeder who must follow a strict code of ethics or adopt a cat from a shelter.
When buying a Bombay cat from a breeder, you can expect to pay between $700 and $2,000. The higher price point applies to purebred Bombay cats from reputable breeders, while you can expect to pay less for hybrid or mixed Bombay cats. Purebred or hybrid kittens will typically cost more than older cats, too, so it’s important to consider their age when looking at the price of a cat.
Breeders tend to charge more for their cats due to the care and work they put in to provide quality cats and kittens. They will provide round-the-clock care for kittens, ensure they are breeding ethically and sustainably, and perform any genetic testing to ensure that all of their carts and kittens are healthy. You can research reputable breeders in your area online, and we recommend speaking to them in person before picking up your cat. You want to know as much about them as possible and check that the cats are being bred and cared for as they claim to be.
You can save money and still enjoy a Bombay cat if you purchase them from an adoption shelter. Bombay cats will cost between $200 and $500 depending on the location of the shelter and the age of the cat. Older cats are usually cheaper, while kittens and young cats will sit closer to the top of the price range.
You won’t get the same information about your cat’s lineage when you purchase a cat from an adoption shelter, but you will learn about their personality and temperament to help you see if they are a good match for your family. Adoption shelters work hard to match cats to their perfect home, so you will likely be asked about your home, lifestyle, and any other pets you have.
Several factors can impact the cost of a Bombay cat, including its lineage, age, and the reputation of the breeder. Younger, purebred cats typically cost more, especially when purchased from a reputable breeder. Understanding why they cost more will help you narrow your search and find the perfect cat that matches your budget and needs. We have detailed the common factors that impact the cost of a Bombay cat below:
One important factor is a cat’s lineage, with purebred cats costing more than other Bombay cats. A purebred Bombay cat will have been bred with other purebred Bombay cats, which can reduce the chance of genetic health conditions. Breeders should provide authentication of a cat’s lineage, proving that they are purebred. A reputable breeder will be happy to provide you with this information, so be sure to ask before paying for a purebred Bombay cat.
The reputation of the breeder can also influence the cost of a Bombay cat. Reputable breeders usually charge more for their Bombay cats, given their popularity and demand for their cats. Reputable breeders gain their reputation in several ways, through their purebred cats, excellent care they offer, or recommendations from other customers. It’s important that you consider the reputation of a breeder to help you determine which breeder to use. There are sites dedicated to finding breeders and word of mouth is also a good way to learn about the reputation of a breeder.
Another factor to consider is the age of the cat. Younger cats and kittens tend to be more popular and are sold for a higher price by breeders and adoption shelters. Kittens also require the most work and costs for breeders, with kittens needing constant care, vaccines, and vet appointments. These costs can be passed on from the breeder to the customer, which is why you can pay more for kittens.
Older cats aren’t as popular and are often sold at a lower price. Older cats will provide plenty of love and companionship in their homes and are an option to consider if you don’t want to pay as much for a cat. There can be some additional costs with older cats, especially if they have health concerns, but comprehensive pet insurance can help with this.
Alongside the cost of buying or adopting your Bombay cat, you also need to consider the cost of the essentials your cat will need. Bombay cats need a bed, crate, collars, and other essentials, ranging from $5 to $360 per item. You will need to ensure you have the budget for these items when you purchase your cat and throughout your cat’s life as they grow or some of the essentials break. We have detailed the costs of these essentials below:
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.
You also need to consider the costs of maintaining your cat, including food, vet bills, and regular grooming appointments. It can cost between $20 and $700 depending on the brand, vet treatment, and grooming prices, costing hundreds of dollars a year to feed and care for your cat. It’s important that you factor these costs into your budget to ensure you can afford to care for your cat. We have detailed the maintenance costs you need to consider below:
Feeding a Bombay cat costs between $20 and $70 a month, depending on the type of and brand of food that you choose. You also need to consider your cat’s size and how much food they need to maintain a healthy weight.
Wet and raw food tends to cost more than dry, but you might find that you need to try several types and brands of food to help you find a food your fussy cat will enjoy. The trial process can temporarily increase the cost of feeding your cat, but once you have found food they enjoy, you should not need to worry about it.
Your Bombay cat will need a nutritious diet with high-protein food made using high-quality and natural ingredients. While it sounds expensive, you can find nutritious food on a budget. You will need to spend some time reading ingredient lists before settling on a food for your Bombay cat.
Based on an adult Bombay cat weighing 3.6 to 6.8 kg, you can expect to pay the following for their food:
Veterinary care for a Bombay cat can range from $25 to $700 per treatment, depending on the vet you choose, the size of your cat, and if follow-up appointments are needed. Veterinary care is essential to ensure that your Bombay cat remains healthy, but it can cost several hundred dollars a year. You will need to check prices with your vet for an accurate cost, and it’s best to ask about any payment plans they offer, allowing you to pay monthly for vaccines or parasite treatment.
The costs we have outlined below do not consider the additional costs of health conditions or emergency vet care, so we recommend investing in comprehensive pet insurance to avoid any surprise costs.
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 if 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.
You can choose to groom your Bombay cat at home, regularly brushing their fur and clipping their nails. You can also choose to enlist a professional, paying for regular grooming sessions to keep your cat’s fur well maintained. Grooming can cost between $30 and $70 for your Bombay cat, depending on the cost of groomers and whether additional services like nail clipping and bathing are required.
Training your Bombay cat can cost between $99 and $2,800, depending on the course provider and the type of course you choose. Cat trainers offer short, intensive courses that help you to train your cat and address any behavioural concerns, whereas longer courses can help you become a cat trainer, allowing you to train more than just your Bombay cat. It is important that you consider what you want from a training course before starting one.
A Bombay cat is an expensive commitment, requiring regular maintenance and additional costs to keep them comfortable and healthy. You can reduce the cost by purchasing a Bombay cat from an adoption shelter and giving them a second chance at a loving home.
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