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Catster Home Cat Behavior Nutrition Health & Care Lifestyle Cat Breeds Vet Approved ShopCatster Search for: Search Home Cat Behavior Nutrition Health & Care Lifestyle Cat Breeds Vet Approved Shop Home Cat Behavior Nutrition Health & Care Lifestyle Cat Breeds Vet Approved Shop Cart Search for: Search Catster is reader-supported. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. Learn more . How Much Does a Cat Cost? 2024 Price Guide Image Credit: Meriluxa, Shutterstock Written by: Emma Stenhouse Last Updated on April 18, 2024 by Catster Editorial Team Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Email How Much Does a Cat Cost? 2024 Price Guide / Guides / By Emma Stenhouse If you’ve been dreaming of adding a cat or kitten to your family, it’s a good idea to take a look at how much it’s likely to cost you to own a cat. As well as the one-off costs like adoption, or spaying or neutering, you’ll have to factor in ongoing costs like food, recurring medical expenses, and pet insurance. Before you take the plunge, we’ve broken down how much owning a cat costs per year. The amounts we’ve given are estimates and will depend on where you live, the availability of veterinary care in your area, and the types of products like food or litter you choose to use. The most significant variable will be whether or not your cat will need more than routine vet care, which of course, isn’t something you’re going to be able to plan for! As a general overview, a cat can cost annually between $200-4000 and will depend from a lot of factors. But forewarned is forearmed, so knowing a rough budget for annual costs before you fall in love with a cat at a shelter is definitely a good idea. Bringing Home a New Cat: One-Time Costs Photo Credit: Alexas_Fotos, Pixabay Once you’ve made the decision to buy or adopt a cat, you’ll have to be ready to invest some funds in several one-time costs. As a rough guide, these can include the adoption fees from a shelter or the cost of a kitten from a breeder. It will also include things like initial vaccinations, spaying or neutering, and one-off purchases like a cat carrier, cat door, bed, food, and bowls. Free If your neighbor or friend’s cat has had a litter of kittens accidentally, they may be offering them as free to a good home. While this might seem like a bargain, remember that the cost of your kitten is a one-off expense and pales in comparison to the ongoing annual costs of keeping your new cat happy, healthy, and well-fed. That’s not to say that getting a free kitten is a bad idea; just remember that their annual costs won’t be any less than any other cat! Depending on the health of the parent cats, you may find that your free kitten requires more veterinary care than a kitten from a shelter or breeder, as those little guys will have had their health checked before they travel to their new homes. Adoption $100-250 Adopting a cat or kitten from a shelter is a great way to provide a loving home for an animal in need, but it’s also usually better value than buying a kitten from a breeder. If you don’t have a specific breed in mind, then most shelters are excellent at matching your family circumstances to a cat with the right personality for you. The adoption fee usually covers a shelter’s basic costs , including veterinary fees and food. Breeder $200-5000 Depending on the cat breed you’re interested in, you’ll find a huge range of different prices. Even if you choose a more expensive breed, the initial cost of your new kitten will still pale in comparison to the cost of keeping them over their lifetime. Whichever breed you choose, it’s important to take the time to find a reputable breeder who can provide references, health records, and more. British Shorthair: $1000 Maine Coon: $1200 Persian: $1300 Sphynx: $3000 Bengal: $1000-$10000 Photo Credit: FotoMirta, Shutterstock Supplies $120-450 If you’re a first-time cat owner, then you’ll need to invest in most or all of this list before you bring your new furry friend home. You can definitely make the budget choice in some areas, but in others, like microchipping, the cost will likely be a flat rate. If you’ve owned a cat before, you may have some of these supplies already, in which case your initial outlay here will be lower. List of Cat Care Supplies and Cost ID Tag and Collar $15 Spay/Neuter $145 X-Ray Cost $100 – $250 Ultrasound Cost $250 – $500 Microchip $45 – $55 Teeth Cleaning $150 – $300 Bed $30 Nail Clipper $7 Brush $8 Litter Box $25 Litter Scoop $10 Toys $30 Carrier $40 Food and Water Bowls $10 Cat Flap (optional) $50 Scratching Post $40 Annual Expenses $200-4000 per year When it comes to the annual costs of keeping a cat, there’s a huge range. This figure will depend on what food and litter you choose to buy, as well as which medications your cat needs. If your cat requires regular medical care, then your costs will be far higher than if they only visit the vet once a year. Health Care $75–11000 per year Vet bills and health care have the potential to easily take up the largest chunk of your budget. Routine vet expenses can be fairly low, especially if you take preventative action like brushing your cat’s teeth. Certain breeds may need more vet attention than others. And of course, cats can have accidents or develop ongoing health conditions that may require large financial outlays. Check-Ups $40-100 per year Most vets recommend that your cat comes in for a check-up once a year. You can sometimes combine this with their annual vaccination appointment. Your vet will want to check your cat’s overall health, including if they need any procedures like teeth cleaning. Once your cat is over nine years of age, your vet may suggest bringing them in twice a year. Photo Credit: Andrey_Kuzmin, Shutterstock Vaccinations $0-100 per year After your kitten’s initial boosters, they’ll most likely need booster shots every 1-7 years. The frequency of the shots depends on the type of vaccination used, your location, your cat’s lifestyle, and your own preferences when it comes to your cat’s vaccination schedule. Dental $15-500 per year Plenty of domestic cats suffer from periodontal disease, which can sometimes result in them needing a professional teeth cleaning appointment. One way to reduce this large overhead is to brush your cat’s teeth as often as possible. You can also get dental treats that help to scrape away plaque and tartar. Treatments for Parasites $20-100 per year Most cats will require regular treatments for parasites like fleas, ticks, worms, and so on. Your vet will be able to advise you on the best course of treatments for your cat and their lifestyle. Generally, indoor cats will require less treatment. Emergencies $0-10,000 per year At some point, your cat may have an accident that requires emergency medical care. Whether they’ve eaten something they shouldn’t have, been in a road traffic accident, or had a urinary tract infection, you should think about how you would meet these medical bills if you had to . Photo Credit: Nils Jacobi, Shutterstock Medications for On-Going Conditions $0-1000 per year If your cat develops an ongoing condition like kidney disease, diabetes, or anything else that requires continuous treatment, your monthly costs will increase as a result. Different medications will cost different amounts, but once an on-going condition has been diagnosed, your cat may need medication for the rest of their life. Insurance $150-200 per year Choosing to insure your kitten as soon as you get them can be a good way to future-proof yourself if they develop a medical condition later in life. Policies will vary depending on the age of your cat , their breed, and where you live. You can insure against accidents and illnesses or choose a comprehensive plan. Food $100-2500 per year There’s a huge range of choices when it comes to cat food, so here you can either push the boat out and choose a luxury brand or economize by selecting a budget...