The Cost of Owning a Cat

Best companion

Cats can provide emotional support, improve moods and add to the overall well-being of their owners.

♦ Cats give comfort and companionship, especially to older people and people with physical or mental disabilities.

Being a responsible pet parent comes with significant emotional and financial responsibilities.

♦ If you're going to add a cat to your family, be prepared for a long-term commitment. Cats have an average lifespan of about 15 years, and many house cats live 20 years or more.

Before taking the plunge into parenthood, you need to consider the costs and budget accordingly.

• Cats are usually less expensive to own than dogs, but they can still put a dent in your bank account.

♦ Owning a cat now runs roughly $850 to $4,400 a year. Over a cat's lifetime, that can add up to more than $30,000. Cats live longer than dogs, so the lifetime bill can actually be bigger.

That estimate comes from Rover, a company that sells pet-sitting. The high end includes plenty of extras, but even the low end is more than most people expect.

Besides living longer than dogs, families tend to own more than one cat. A lot of that comes from people not wanting to leave their cat home alone while they're at work.

♦ The biggest factor affecting a cat's lifespan and total expenses is whether it lives strictly indoors or is allowed to wander outdoors. Outdoor cats tend to live much shorter lives.

• A cat that goes outdoors is at greater risk of injury from cars, predators, fights with other animals, and disease.

If you plan to let your cat outdoors, you can lower your financial risk by making sure it's up to date on recommended vaccines, including feline leukemia. You may also want to consider pet insurance to cover potential injuries.

Pet insurance isn't for everyone, but for cats living a risky life it could provide peace of mind for the first 5 or 6 years. Beyond 6 years, this insurance usually becomes too costly to keep. See Is Pet Insurance Worth the Cost?

Initial costs

The first year costs the most. Here are some rough starter costs:

• Free, or adoption fee: $0 to $155
• Food and water bowls: $15
• First vet visit: $175 or more
• Spaying or neutering (if not already done): $165 to $250
• License: $10 to $25
• Breakaway collar and ID tag: $15
• Litter box: $20
• Toys: $15
• Bed: $40
• Brushes and grooming tools: $20
• Carrying case: $40
• Scratching pad or post: $15 to $50

Annual expenses

Cats can be particular about the type of food, or even the type of litter, they use. These ranges give you an idea of what to expect in the years ahead.

• Food: $120 to $500
• Treats: $10 to $100
• Litter: $125 to $580
• Toys and scratching post: $20 to $75
• Wellness exam: $65 to $75, plus vaccines at $15 to $45 per shot
• Flea and tick prevention: $20 to $200

♦ Vet prices have been climbing faster than almost anything else. In 2025 alone they jumped 7.1%, more than twice as fast as prices overall. Call your vet for a current price list.

How costs add up

Free

There's no such thing as a "free" kitten. A friend might give you a cute little kitten, but it's your responsibility to make sure it's healthy and has had all its vaccines.

♦ Free Kitty needs a checkup as soon as possible. Between the exam, vaccines and the medicine you'll likely go home with, plan on at least $150, and maybe more.

A few weeks down the road, you'll need to decide on spaying or neutering, at an estimated cost of $165 to $250. Talk with your vet about this.

Adoption

Adoption is often the cheapest option. Most people will pay $50 to $155 to adopt a cat, and the fee often covers spaying or neutering. Adult cats often cost less than kittens.

♦ Lots of cats in the U.S. were adopted from an animal shelter, and many more are waiting for a home.

Kittens from well-known shelters and rescue centers often come already vaccinated. They've likely been dewormed and had basic blood tests. Most will have been spayed or neutered.

♦ Adopted cats aren't perfect. Many have picked up parasites and illnesses from being in close contact with other cats. Plan on a visit to the vet right away to get your new cat checked out.

These days microchipping is quite common. You'll still need to register the chip with the company that provided it, and pay a fee. Don't skip this, especially if your cat will be allowed outside.

• How well your cat was cared for in the shelter depends a lot on how well the shelter is funded. These shelters are usually run by volunteers who rely on donations.

A Christmas donation made on behalf of your sweet Kitty always brings cheer to the hearts of these volunteers. No pressure… but please think about it.

Litter box or pan

Your cat will need a place to go to the bathroom, preferably not on your favorite rug. You can get a simple litter pan for about $15 at a pet store. Litter pans and boxes can run up to $200 if you really want to splurge. But until you get to know your cat and its habits, keep it simple.

♦ What you put in the litter pan matters. Not all cats like the same feel and smell of litter, so you may have to experiment a bit at first.

There are several types of litter on the market, including clay, crystal, plant-based and clumping. Read up on them before buying, because each has its own advantages. In the end, it's up to your cat to decide what they're most comfortable with. Litter can run $125 to $580 a year.

It's up to you to find a private spot for the litter box, because cats value their privacy. You'll also need to clean it regularly, because cats value cleanliness too. If the litter gets too smelly, sweet Kitty will find a new spot, and you won't be happy.

Toys

Kittens are easily amused. They don't need expensive toys. Crumpled-up paper balls bring a lot of joy. Most parents go way overboard on toys.

• Cats are supposed to be hunters, so a simple stuffed mouse gets most of them very excited. Don't expect Kitty to catch that scurrying cockroach, though. Not that kind of hunter.

You want your cat to have something to entertain themselves with while you're away.

• When you're home, play with your cat. Playing and talking with your cat builds trust and shows them they're part of the family.

Brush

You need to brush your cat's fur. Invest $10 to $20 in a real cat brush from a pet store.

Brushing cuts down on tangles and shedding. It will keep your sofa clean a little bit longer.

How often is up to you.

• Your cat will be in heaven if they're brushed every day. Set up a routine and your furry friend will be ready and waiting.

Collar, chip and ID

If your cat is indoors only, a collar isn't strictly necessary. But indoor cats do slip out, so a collar with a name tag is cheap insurance.

♦ Whatever you choose, make sure it's a breakaway collar. It snaps open if it gets caught on something. Regular collars and decorative necklaces can strangle a cat. Pretty isn't worth the risk.

Many cats and dogs now have microchips implanted. These chips can help bring a lost loved one home.

♦ Remember to register your cat's microchip. There's a small annual fee to keep the registration up to date, but some companies offer a one-time lifetime fee, which works out better for most people.

• If you move or change your phone number, don't forget to update your information with the microchip company.

Scratching post

Cats have sharp claws, and they need someplace to scratch. You don't want Kitty getting in the habit of testing your furniture.

• Depending on the size of your home, you may need several scratching pads or posts. The sooner you train your cat on where it's okay to scratch, the better.

♦ It's also a good idea to slowly get your cat used to nail trimmers. Clipping the tips of your cat's claws can prevent broken claws, which can get caught in carpet and be quite painful.

Do NOT declaw your cat. This surgery amputates the end of a cat's toes, and the ASPCA strongly discourages it. Several states, including New York, Maryland and Virginia, and a number of cities have banned declawing except for medical reasons.

Wellness checkup

A healthy cat should have a checkup about once a year. Many vets now push for two visits a year. An exam now runs about $65 to $75, but the visit never ends with just an exam.

Your cat will need to be vaccinated for at least rabies and FVRCP (commonly called distemper). Shots run about $15 to $45 each. Ask your vet about the feline leukemia vaccine too. It's recommended for all kittens.

♦ If your cat is allowed outside, they'll need additional vaccines.

Most vets now push for a fecal test twice a year to look for parasites. There's some disagreement about whether a strictly indoor cat needs this test every year. It runs around $30.

Vets now advise blood tests every year. The common line is "just like you have every year."

♦ Blood tests can be a big chunk of an annual visit's cost. As your cat ages, it's very important not to skip this test.

For more on staying healthy, including why to skip raw food, see Keeping Your Cat Healthy.

License

Cat licensing laws require owners to register their cat with a government agency. This usually includes an annual fee and a collar and tag.

• Most local governments outsource this to third-party firms, which keep a good portion of the fees for administration.

♦ Licensing is meant to push owners to vaccinate their pets against diseases like rabies, which can pose a risk to people.

Each community decides how to use these fees. Some use them to help fund spaying and neutering. Some use them to support shelters. Some just treat them as general revenue.

Other costs

Emergency care: Outdoor cats run a higher risk of having an accident or getting into a fight that needs emergency treatment. Costs can range from a few hundred dollars to over $1,000. It's best to set aside an emergency fund and hope you never have to use it.

Pet sitting: Cats aren't socializers like dogs. They prefer their home. If you need to be away and can't find a friend to care for your cat, you'll need a pet sitter. This has cost $15 to $50 a day, depending on how much time the sitter spends with your cat.

Professional grooming: Most cats are low-maintenance, but some need extra care. Most cats can be trained to let you trim their claws. It comes down to trust. Grooming averages around $50, with claw trimming a little extra.

Money well spent

Most pet parents never think they spend too much on their cat. Most will tell you their cat is a wonderful member of the family who shares endless love and affection. Who can put a price tag on that?