Cyza Sector

Do you love cats? I do. What cats do you have? Do you have a Persian cat? Or do you own a Siamese cat? Or just ordinary plain species of cat. One thing for sure is my in laws love cats so much. The entire family love those cats. There are a lots gorgeous cats taken care by them. My mother in law is the chief of cat department. She manages the department from her home in Kuantan. There are 5 Persian cats under her supervision and she’s handling them with the assistance of the other family members.

As an amateur reporter, I interviewed her about her Persian cats maintenance costs. Following are the gist of the interview:

1. Cat Food

5 cats require 7 kg of vetmaster/month (Vetmaster is a food brand that she used to feed the cat. It’s just like Friskies and Whiskas, but it is cheaper and contain less nutritions compared to those branded cat food). The cost of vetmaster is RM10 per kg. She buys the food at the local vet clinic in Kuantan. The cat food container cost between RM10-15 per piece.

For a baby persian cat, she will spend RM35 per kg Friskees which has complete nutritions and easily digestable for growing up kittens. If the kitten’s mum milk is not enough, she have to buy additional specially formulated milk which cost RM30 per can.

 Cats heaven!!!

2. Cat Shampoo

Normal shampoo for healthy cat will cost RM15/bottle. Bath frequency is once week per cat and the shampoo can last for 2 to 3 months. For Persian cat with ringworm problem, a special medicated shampoo is required which cost about Rm30/bottle. The special shampoo must be applied until the Persian cat is free from ringworm.

3. Medication

Like us, Persian cat also require vaccine. The vaccine is injected around the butt area. The cost for one jab is RM 20 per cat and it is applied when it reaches 2 months old. A subsequent jab is carried out after 1 month and after that, it will need will annual vaccination to be perfectly healthy which cost RM20 per vaccine injection.

When the Persian cat experience high fever, it must be given an antibiotic injection which cost RM10 per cat. If the Persian cat has fleas, a special injection to treat it cost RM20 per cat for a duration of 3 months. The Persian cat also needs consistent eye drop medication to ensure its eyes are OK and that cost RM10 for a duration of 3 months which is applied once a week.

When the Persian cat is attacked with ringworm, besides the special shampoo, a special anti ringworm injection is required. It will cost RM15 per week and the jab is continuously applied until the Persian cat recovers. Another one is the “Ubat Cacing” which cost RM5 per cat per month.

Persian cat also need to be given vitamins for various reasons which include as appetizer and to maintain the healthiness of its fur. The cost are RM6 for a duration of 3 months (applied once a week) and RM8 every 3 months, respectively.

4. Cat Sex Fertility, production

If a male Persian cat need to be circumcision, it will cost about RM60 per cat. For a female Persian cat, to remove it’s uterus, it will cost RM180. To barren or sterile the female Persian cat, the cost is RM20 per cat per 6 months. These activities are mainly applied if we want to control the Persian cat production.

If a pregnant Persian cat experienced a late delivery, an injection need to be done to speed up the birth and to reduce the pain. If there is complication, then an operation (caeserian) must be performed and it cost about RM400 (luckily there is an interest free installment plan for it).

5. Cat Bungalow House Cage

A small simple cage will cost about RM60/piece while a bigger one will cost more than RM250 ++.

Small cat cage

6. Others

A Persian cat needs sand to poop and the sand cost RM 12/kg. The hair or fur of the Persian cat need to be combed. The comb cost about RM30 per piece and can be used for all Persian cats. If my mother in law and the entire family is away for a trip, it is impossible to bring along all 5 cats. So, she’ll temporarily leave the cats at a pet shop or clinic. The pet shop or clinic will take care of the cat and charge RM10 per cat per day. So, if there are 5 cats, it will cost RM50 per day.

For a 2 month old Persian kitten, the value is about RM500-600. For a Persian cat which is more than 6 months old, the starting value is from RM800 ++. Other places may have different price range of a Persian cat. It is really expensive to buy a Persian cat and also very costly to maintain one.

TOTAL COST to maintain a Persian Cat:

A lot!!!! As I’m writing this entry, I’m already confused with all the dollar and cost of maintaining this cat because there are simply to much of things to take care. I love the cat but I’m not willing to take care of one. Well, I’ll just settle with stray cats!

What about stray cats?….

$0.00. No cost. Maintenance Free. Very easy to handle. In fact the easiest type of cat species to be handled. You don’t have to take care of them. They’ll take care of themself. You just give them whaever waste food you have and they’ll be very happy to consume it.

So, now you choose which cat to pick as your favourite pet?

Siamese Cat

Stray Cat