How Much Does a Tuxedo Cat Cost? [Finance Guide]

If you are thinking about getting a beautiful tuxedo cat, you might be wondering how much it will cost to get one. There are some initial costs, including the purchase (if applicable) and ongoing costs of care. Here’s all of the financial information you need to make an informed decision and calculate your budget accordingly.

So, how much does a tuxedo cat cost? The cost of a tuxedo cat can vary quite dramatically, from $500-$3000+, although the average appears to be around $1,000-$2,000. Price will largely depend on the breed, as many breeds can be tuxedos. If budget is a concern, you may be able to adopt a tuxedo cat from a shelter or a private home.

It’s impossible to give a definitive number.

Chances are, if you were to proceed in trying to get one of the cats, you’d have a wide range of quotes.

And there are a lot of other factors involved too, as we shall now explore!

Factors That Influence Tuxedo Cat Cost

Several factors influence the cost of a tuxedo cat.

The Age Of Your Cat

Usually, kittens are more expensive than young cats, with older cats being the least costly.

What Breeder You Choose

Certified breeders are the best choice for pedigree cats, but additional costs come with these breeders.

They have to pay yearly fees for their certification and other fees, and these expenses are passed on to their clients when they purchase kittens.

The Pedigree Of Your Cat

Pedigree cats have been bred for specific characteristics, which requires extra effort and expense on the breeder’s part.

Some cats come from show cats who exhibit the most prized and highest physical standards of their breed and have an excellent show record, and these kittens will, therefore, be more expensive.

What Breed You Choose

Because a tuxedo is a type of coloring rather than a breed, many breeds can be a tuxedo.

Their bodies are usually black with white paws and a white chest, making them look like they’re in formal wear.

Here are some common breeds where you can find tuxedos, with an average price range:

• American Shorthair. These kittens typically cost from $500 to $800, with high-end Shorthairs costing upwards of $1,000.
• British Shorthair. Kittens of this breed cost on average from $1,200 to $2,300. Some kittens from high breeding lines go for $3,000 or even more.
• Maine Coon. Maine Coon kittens cost on average between $400 to $2,000, while adults are less expensive. Expect to pay between $400 to $600 for an adult Maine Coon.
• Manx. Manx kittens are much less expensive compared to other breeds. Their average cost is between $400 to $600.
• Norwegian Forest Cat. These gorgeous, long-haired cats cost between $800 to $1,500.
• Turkish Angora. Here’s another beautiful, long-haired cat, which costs from $900 to $1,500 on average.
• Scottish Fold. These cats are another breed that’s relatively low in cost. Their average price is $250 to $500, but they can cost more depending on their coloring and size.
• Turkish Van. Eager swimmers, these kittens can cost from $800 to $1,500. Prices vary according to the pattern of their coloring, their body proportions, and other factors (see above).

It’s also worth us mentioning here that you shouldn’t be asked to pay more than the above prices for a tuxedo kitten, as tuxedo cats aren’t particularly rare.

Other Upfront Costs When Buying A Tuxedo Cat

Other upfront costs of buying a tuxedo cat are the same as what you would pay when purchasing any cat. These are one-off costs, usually, and include:

• A brush (for long-haired cats), from $5 to $20
• A scratching post (excellent for saving your furniture and for keeping nails trimmed), from $19 (simple posts) to $75 (for cat trees)
• A litter box and scoop (for indoor cats), from $15 to $65
• A cat carrier, from $10 to $200
• A microchip (a good idea, even if you keep your cat indoors), from $5 to $30
• Spaying or neutering, from $100 to $200 (spaying a female is more expensive)
• A cat bed (optional, they may just sleep on your bed!) From $15 to $70
• Toys, from $5 to $90
• Food and water bowls, from $10 to $50
• An initial vet visit, from $100 to $800 and more, depending on what’s needed.

Note: You could potentially lower your spaying or neutering costs considerably.

Check with your local animal shelter or non-profit service, who may be able to do this for you for as little as $50.

Some pet insurance policies also cover spaying or neutering (see below).

However, let’s just say you proceeded with all of the above this will total around $400-$1000, on average.

Ongoing Costs When Owning a Tuxedo Cat

You’ll want to allow for ongoing costs, as well, such as food, pet insurance, cat litter (if applicable), regular vet visits, and potentially showing costs (for pedigree cats).

These can add up, but if you have concerns about ongoing costs for your cat, you can consult the Humane Society website, which has excellent low-cost options for continuing care.

Food Costs For A Tuxedo Cat

Most breeds of cats have similar eating needs, so you can expect to pay about $120 to $500 per year in food bills.

$500 per year is closer to what you can expect to pay if your cat requires a prescription diet (because of medical issues, for instance).

Most of the time, though, your cat can be fine with high-quality cat food that you can get at pet stores or some supermarkets.

A mixture of dry and wet food is ideal for most cats.

Some cats, though, require a special diet.

Maine Coons, for example, need particular diets because of their large size.

They also have voracious appetites, so they’ll eat more than your average cat!

Maine Coons (as with all cats) do best on food that’s high in protein and low in fillers.

Fillers like grains shouldn’t make up the majority of their diet since they are meat eaters by nature.

The higher in quality your cat food is, the less you’ll have to give your cat at each sitting.

You can, therefore, save money in the long run with excellent cat food. And you could possibly save money on vet bills, too.

If you aren’t sure which food is best for your cat, check with the breeder or your vet. For a pedigree cat, it’s even more crucial to get their nutrition right.

Pet Insurance For A Tuxedo Cat

Most pet insurance will cover illnesses and accidents and costs, on average, $29 per month.

If you have a pedigree tuxedo, though, your insurance will likely be higher.

Pedigree cats are more susceptible to health problems due to the reduced gene pool from which they are bred.

Therefore, insurers will charge more since owners are more likely to make expensive claims on their insurance.

Older cats can be less expensive to purchase but more costly to insure, as cats tend to have age-related health problems as they get older.

Look at how much you can afford to pay monthly.

Consider the amount of the deductible on your policy and whether you could pay that easily if needed.

Sometimes it can be worth paying a bit more per month with a lower deductible that wouldn’t put you in the red, should you have to pay for something unexpected.

Some pet insurance policies cover the cost of neutering or spaying, so check this when comparing policies.

You could save a considerable amount of money if the costs for spaying your female cat are covered.

Cat Litter Cost

If you have an indoor cat, you’ll want to factor in the cost of cat litter, as it does add up over the course of a year.

Depending on the type of litter you buy, you will probably spend about $100 to $250 each year.

Cost Of Vet Checkups For A Tuxedo Cat

Your tuxedo cat will need regular vet checkups, no matter what their breed. On average, routine vet visits for indoor cats range from $90 to $200 per year.

You’ll pay a bit more in regular vet fees if you have an outdoor cat since you’ll need to get prevention for fleas, ticks, and worms. 

Additional vaccines and tests are also necessary for outdoor cats, as they can come into contact with other animals and, therefore, risk catching viruses or other problems. 

However, if your cat is an outdoor cat, at least you won’t have the costs of cat litter!

Showing Costs

If you want to show off your tuxedo cat, you may wish to enter your pet in shows and competitions.

There are shows for mixed breed cats, too, not just for pedigree animals.

There are costs to consider when showing a cat, such as:

• Entry fees (show entry fees start at $50 on average)
• Travel expenses
• Lodging expenses (where applicable)

Can You Adopt A Tuxedo Cat?

If you wish, you can adopt a tuxedo cat, and by doing so from a shelter, provide an animal in need with a loving home.

Some organizations dedicate themselves to helping tuxedo cats find good homes.

Do a Google search to see what’s available in your area. These cats do get scooped up quickly, though, because of their gorgeous fur coats.

You can also look at lists available online to see if any tuxedo cats feature on adoption websites that are local to you.

Finally

Tuxedo cats are stunningly beautiful, although they may come at quite the cost.

Particularly if you are looking for a rarer breed, in demand, and with low supply at the time of your search.

Nevertheless, as this cat comes in various breeds, you should be able to find one within your budget.

Failing that, there is always adoption.

Either way, just consider, like with any pet, the ongoing costs of care.

Your tuxedo may be with you for 10-18 years, sometimes more – so you need to be able to financially commit to their ongoing costs throughout this time.