Thinking of bringing a cat to the Netherlands? Get ready for purrs, a bit (or a lot!) of chaos and plenty of independent love, but also a few costs you might not have considered. So, how much does a cat really cost in the Netherlands?
How much a cat costs you a month in the Netherlands?
| Cost item | Per month |
| Food | € 40 |
| Things for fun (toys, snacks) | € 6 |
| Cat litter | € 20 |
| Deworming, anti-flea treatment | € 9 |
| Total | € 75 |
So.. the total costs are about € 75 a month. This will be a bit higher or lower depending the brand of products you choose. Cat food can become a significant recurring expense, so if you’re trying to keep your overall grocery budget down, check out our guide to the grocery saving tips.
You can also save on pet supplies by making the most of loyalty programs and member discounts. See our guides to the best loyalty and cashback programs in the Netherlands.
Overall having a cat will cost you about € 900 year. And this without emergency visits to the vet or paying a cat sitter while on holiday. Keep aside € 500 a year for any emergency vet visits and cat sitter.
2. What about cat health insurance?
Pet insurance is optional in the Netherlands, but it can help protect you against large unexpected veterinary bills.
The cost depends on the insurer, your cat’s age, coverage and deductible. It is therefore best to compare policies based on what they actually cover rather than simply choosing the cheapest monthly premium.
If you are considering pet insurance, check whether the policy covers things such as surgery, diagnostic tests, medication and chronic conditions, and look carefully at exclusions and reimbursement limits.
One insurance I like is PetSecur. It offers reimbursements of up to 90%, the freedom to choose your own veterinarian and a worldwide coverage.
3. Is having a cat expensive in the Netherlands?
Compared with many other pets, a cat can be relatively affordable. But I would not budget only €50 a month and assume that covers everything.
A more realistic starting point is:
Around €1,400 per year for normal recurring expenses + an emergency fund for unexpected veterinary costs.
That is approximately €116 per month, before optional pet insurance.
If you’re ready for the purrs, cuddles and a bit of chaos, just make sure your wallet is ready too.
Because in the Netherlands, having a cat is priceless… but keeping one isn’t. 😉
Until next time, stay savvy.
Mew
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