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Turkish Angora cats are originally from the area around central Turkey. They have long bodies and legs set off by large ears and stunning amber, blue, or green eyes; some Turkish Angora cats have eyes of different colors!
Their stunning, semi-long, silky coats are the breed’s famous trademark. Turkish Angora cats can be found in various coat colors, including white, blue, cream, and red. However, white coats are commonly associated with the breed.
These healthy cats can often live for between 15 and 20 years and generally weigh about 5 to 10 pounds when fully grown. Below, we’ll discuss all the expenses involved in caring for a Turkish Angora cat.
Bringing Home a New Turkish Angora: One-Time Costs
While cats are generally not expensive to maintain, expect to spend a fair amount upfront to purchase bedding, food and water bowls, toys, and scratchers. In addition to the cost of getting everything your new cat will need, you’ll also need to consider the high price of purchasing a Turkish Van.
Free
Cats are often available for free through informal channels, but it’s probably not that likely that you’ll happen upon a purebred kitten simply being given away. You may be able to find an adult Turkish Angora who needs a new home. Often, families are looking for homes for pets they can no longer care for.
Social media is always an option, but many people also get great results simply by spreading the word among their acquaintances that they’re interested in adopting a cat.
Adoption
With lots of patience and luck, you may be able to find a Turkish Angora cat in a shelter or locate one through a rescue organization, but keep in mind that they are pretty rare, so be prepared to do a bit of legwork. It costs far less to adopt cats through shelters and rescue organizations than to purchase them through breeders, but there are still costs involved.
Prices often depend on the cat’s age, and adoption fees for older cats are lower than for kittens. Cats adopted from shelters are often spayed/neutered, microchipped, and vaccinated before being sent home.
Breeder
Turkish Angora cats aren’t the most common, so you may need to search other towns or states to find a breeder to work with. Take your time finding a breeder, and consider asking questions to get information you can use to make a solid decision about who to work with.
Veterinarians can offer recommendations for ethical breeders to consider. Turkish Angora cats have some breed-specific health conditions to be concerned about, so speak with any breeder you select about whether they test cats for these issues. Kittens can usually go home when they’re between 10 and 16 weeks old.
Initial Setup and Supplies
Initial setup costs for cats can range from $200 to $600. It’s possible to create a comfortable feline environment on a budget, or you can go all out and welcome your cat to a veritable cat heaven full of high-end options. Cats adopted from shelters probably won’t need to be spayed, neutered, or microchipped. Depending on how the breeder you work with operates, you may need to pay for spaying or neutering on your own after your buddy comes home.
List of Turkish Angora Care Supplies and Costs
| ID Tag and Collar | $15 |
| Spay/Neuter | $50–$200 |
| Microchip | $45–$55 |
| Bed/Tank/Cage | $20–$50 |
| Nail Clipper (optional) | $10 |
| Brush (optional) | $20–$30 |
| Litter Box | $25–$200 |
| Litter Scoop | $10 |
| Toys | $20–$50 |
| Carrier | $40–$200 |
| Food and Water Bowls | $10 |
How Much Does a Turkish Angora Cost Per Month?
Turkish Angora cats are great pets if you’re looking for a gorgeous companion who won’t cost much to keep healthy and looking good. Their regular health care, environmental maintenance, and entertainment needs don’t add up to much, particularly when cats are in the prime of life.
Multiple veterinary visits and essential supplies generally increase the costs associated with keeping cats healthy during the first years of their lives and when they hit their golden years. However, healthcare expenditures generally stay steady while cats are in their prime. The costs associated with toys, scratchers, and litter typically stay about the same.
Health Care
Most owners spend more to keep cats healthy when their companions are kittens and again when they’re seniors. While the costs associated with grooming and pet insurance premiums aren’t likely to change significantly over time, there’s often variability in the amount spent on food, medication, and veterinary visits depending on the pet’s age. There can be increases in food cats need for special diets for weight loss or allergies.
Food
Turkish Angora cats have dietary requirements that are pretty much in line with those of the average cat. Cats have high protein and fat requirements and need various vitamins and nutrients. Several high-quality brands are available that produce kibble and wet food, and subscription services can deliver food to your door. Dry food often costs less than wet food, and many pet parents find it incredibly convenient. Wet food is a tasty option that most cats love, and it has the added benefit of providing a hydration boost.
Grooming
While Turkish Angora cats have gorgeous semi-long to long coats, they have moderate grooming requirements. Their coats become full and thick during the winter and thin during warmer parts of the year. Unlike many other longhaired cats, they have single-layered coats, so there’s usually not much matting to deal with, and most are fine with weekly brushing.
Brushing their teeth at least a few times a week is critical for maintaining optimal dental health, and their nails should also be clipped every few weeks.
Medications and Vet Visits
Be prepared to spend more on health care for kittens, as they need multiple checkups and vaccinations during their first few months. Costs often level off when cats hit adulthood and rise again during their golden years. Senior cats generally need to head to the veterinarian at least twice a year for checkups and have increased healthcare needs related to aging. Older cats sometimes need medication to help manage chronic health conditions, which can add up over time depending on whether a pet is insured and whether the related illness is considered a pre-existing condition.
Pet Insurance
Pet insurance typically includes accident-only and accident and illness plans. Both are designed to step in to pay for unexpected veterinary bills. Almost all exclude pre-existing conditions from coverage and apply waiting periods. Purchasing insurance when cats are young often minimizes the chance of pre-existing condition exclusions being applied to refuse reimbursement for medical conditions developed later.
Regular veterinary visits and vaccinations are usually not covered in these plans, but there are wellness packages that offer discounts on dental care, vaccinations, and grooming.
Environment Maintenance
There’s generally not much variation in environmental maintenance costs, and they’re predictable over time. Litter is likely to be the largest expenditure in this category, but a great deal depends on the product you choose.
Clay litter is more affordable than other types, but brands that add deodorizers and additives are more expensive. Silica gel litter often produces less dust and is effective at keeping odors under control. There are also biodegradable options made of pine, recycled paper, and corn.
| Litter | $25–$35/month |
| Deodorizing spray or granules | $5–$10/month |
Entertainment
Cats’ entertainment needs largely stay the same over time, and most enjoy a regular rotation of toys and other entertainment options to keep themselves occupied. There are two ways to ensure cats have a steady supply of new things to play with. You can buy new toys each month or sign up for a subscription delivery box. Several companies have subscription boxes; some focus on toys, and others include treats.
Total Monthly Cost of Owning a Turkish Angora Cat
You’ll likely spend between $120 and $315 per month on recurring cat care and entertainment expenses. But even with the best planning, it’s often a good idea to have a few extra dollars in reserve for times when unexpected costs come up.
Additional Costs to Factor In
Planning for vacations becomes more complicated once you have a cat buddy. If you plan to travel with your pet, you may need to pay extra fees associated with flights and hotel rooms. If you’d rather leave your cat at home, you’ll need to pay for a pet sitter.
Even the best-behaved cats sometimes unleash their claws on furniture, and it’s pretty common for sofas or chairs to need replacing, thanks to too much feline attention. Vases get knocked over and need to be replaced, and carpets get peed on and need to be cleaned; having extra cash on hand can help make these expenses easier to manage.
Owning a Turkish Angora on a Budget
Cats are generally budget-friendly companions! Buying pet food in bulk online can save money over time, and some online stores provide discounts when you sign up for their auto-ship programs.
Some pet insurance companies provide owners with a few ways to save on coverage. Many accident and illness plans allow pet parents to adjust their premiums by setting higher or lower deductibles and reimbursement rates.
Feeding high-quality pet food and ensuring they get regular veterinary checkups are just a few ways to help keep cats healthy, which generally saves money over time.
Saving Money on Turkish Angora Care
Creating DIY toys and beds is a great way to save money on cat care, but it’s also fantastic for the environment. Cardboard boxes make simple, fun beds, castles, and hiding places. Toilet paper rolls can be folded over at the edges and made into food puzzles. Purchasing refillable catnip toys and topping them off at home when things need refreshing is another simple way to save money and keep toys in use for longer.
Conclusion
Turkish Angora cats make excellent companions and are not expensive to keep happy, healthy, and entertained! Plan for a sizable initial outlay of cash to get set up before your new feline arrives home, which covers basics such as food and water bowls, a carrier, and a nice place for your new friend to nap. Because Turkish Angora cats aren’t that common, you’ll likely need to purchase one from a breeder, and the price is pretty steep.
Turkish Angora cats have health care, entertainment, and environmental maintenance needs that are about average for cats. Healthcare costs vary depending on pets’ ages and health, but there’s often not much variation in the amount spent on entertainment and items like litter over time.
Insuring pets when they’re young can prevent pre-existing condition exclusions, and ensuring they get the right amount of healthy food and playtime can save money by keeping them happy and fit.
Featured Image Credit: AntMak, Shutterstock
