Reviewed by Dr. Fiona Lee
Cats can make wonderful pets. From energetic, playful kittens to cozy, snuggly senior cats, they can fill your home with love. Cats are so popular today that nearly a third of U.S. households have them.1 Although the cost of owning a cat is less than that of a dog, many pet owners underestimate the actual cost of cat ownership.2
The Lifetime Cost of Owning a Cat
According to a Synchrony study, the 15-year lifetime cost of owning a cat ranges from $15,055 to $45,790.2 But cost is likely the last thing on your mind when the cat distribution system kicks in and you lock eyes with your future feline family member.
Throughout your feline buddy's life, you'll need to provide the basics, like food, veterinarian visits and toys for mental stimulation. But at times, emergency issues may require extra expenditures. In fact, the most expensive part of owning an adult cat or kitten is usually those unexpected emergencies.3
About 38% of cat owners who thought they were financially ready for their pet expenses later discovered they weren't.2 Let's take a closer look at how much to budget for a cat.
One-Time Cat Costs
There are many one-time cat costs you'll incur when you adopt your new furry family member.
How much does it cost to get/adopt a cat?
The first year of cat ownership can be one of the most expensive, with general adoption fees, licensing and microchips ranging from $315 to $755 overall.2 The exact adoption fee may vary depending on your cat's age. For example, a rescue in Texas charges:4
- $95 adoption fee for kittens
- $35 adoption fee for adult cats
- $25 adoption fee for senior cats
Adoption fees also vary depending on whether you're adopting a purebred cat. One cat rescue, for example, quotes the following:5
- Adopting a domestic cat from a rescue: $75 to $175
- Adopting a purebred mix from a rescue: $125 to $250
- Adopting a purebred from a rescue: $150 to $500
- Adopting a rare purebred from a rescue: $300 to $600
- Adopting a purebred cat from a breeder: Typically $500 to $1,500 or more6
While the adoption fee at a rescue or shelter may sound expensive compared to getting a “free" cat from a friend, remember that many shelters and rescues have already paid for a neuter/spay, the first round of vaccinations, deworming and sometimes microchipping. The adoption fee may be less than what you'd pay to cover those costs yourself.3
Initial supplies for your kitty
You'll also need a few initial supplies to make your house a home for your new kitty. Your shopping list of cat necessities will likely include the following.7
| Cat Supply | Cost Range |
| Cat carrier | $20 to $75 |
| Litter box (Options range from simple litter pans to automated, self-cleaning boxes.) | $10 to $200 |
| Litter (Nonclumping costs less but may need to be replaced more frequently.)3 | $15 to $75 |
| Litter scoop | $10 |
| Food and water bowls (You'll pay more for an automated feeder.) | $10 |
| Scratching posts | $30 to $80 |
| Comfy cat bed | $20 to $60 |
| Treats and toys | $30 |
| Brush | $8 |
Veterinary Costs
Veterinary costs can be divided into two categories: standard costs for preventive care and wellness, and unexpected costs from illnesses or accidents.
Standard veterinarian care
Basic veterinary care runs $374 to $965 a year, including checkups, regular dental care, vaccinations and parasite control.2 This cost alone accounts for about a third of what pet owners spend every year.1
Here's a breakdown of what some average costs may look like in a given year:
- Wellness exam: $1381
- Vaccines: $50 to $1507
- Microchip: $30 to $807
- Spaying or neutering: $200 to $5008 (Some cities offer low-cost spay and neuter clinics.)
- Flea and tick preventive: $20 to $807
- Deworming: $45 to $907
- Professional dental cleaning: $500 to $1,000 (price may be higher depending on location)
While people may think they can cut costs on veterinary checkups, experience shows otherwise. If you avoid routine veterinary exams to cut corners, you may miss catching health issues early when they might cost less to treat.
That's why some pet owners choose to get a routine care or wellness plan on top of their pet insurance policy. These wellness plans tend to run $100 to $149 a year.2 Pets Best, for example, offers two tiers of wellness plans that cover vaccines, flea and tick preventives, teeth cleaning, spays and neuters, microchips, exams and diagnostic panels.
Unexpected veterinary bills
Almost every pet owner will face a surprise veterinary bill at some point in their pet's life. Here's a look at some costs you might face for accidents or illnesses:9
- Basic X-ray: $150 to $250
- ER exam: $100 to $200
- Ultrasound: $300 to $600
- Wound treatment and repair: $800 to $2,500
- Hospitalization for three to five days: $1,500 to $3,500
- Emergency surgery: $1,500 to $5,000
- Intestinal obstruction surgery: $3,000 to $4,000+
- Pancreatitis: $2,000 to $5,000+
- Urinary tract obstruction: $1,500 to $3,000+
Some purebred cat breeds may be more prone to health issues, like Norwegian Forest cats to diabetes or Siamese cats to lymphoma. But this is not guaranteed.10
A good pet insurance plan may help you offset some or even all of your unexpected veterinary costs, depending on your policy.
How Much Should I Budget for a Cat Per Month?
After the first year, the annual costs for owning a cat range between $960 and $2,486.2 Monthly, this is about $80 to $207, including basic veterinary care, cat food, treats, toys, grooming supplies and cleaning products. These costs can increase in older cats due to conditions they may develop as they age.
Here's how ongoing costs tend to break down.2
| Expense | Cost Range Per Month |
| Cat food | $29 to $49 |
| Monthly litter maintenance7 | $15 to $100 |
| Treats, cat toys and grooming supplies | $14 to $58 |
| Miscellaneous costs | $6 to $20 |
Food and treats
A big part of your monthly budget will go to food, which costs about $351 to $584 a year.2 This range varies depending on your cat's size and the type of food you buy. Wet varieties might cost more, and prescription food will be more expensive.7 You'll also want to leave a little room in your budget for treats.
Litter and litter accessories
Monthly litter costs tend to range from $15 to $75 a month, depending on the type of litter you use.7 Clumping, for example, will cost more than nonclumping, but nonclumping needs to be changed more frequently.3 You'll also need litter box liners (about $5 a month).7
Additional costs
You may also want to factor in these additional possible costs:
- Grooming: Some cats require only regular brushing, but others may need professional grooming, which can cost up to $50 each month.7
- Pet insurance: Pet health insurance may provide the financial help needed to afford excellent medical and surgical care. In 2023, the premium costs for accident and illness coverage for cats averaged out to $383.30 a year (about $31.94 a month) in the U.S.11
- Entertainment: Your kitty needs new toys to stay mentally stimulated and entertained! These can range from a simple catnip mouse to an electronic toy. Expect to spend about $20 to $50 per month.7
- Boarding and pet-sitting: If you go on vacation, you'll need to board your cat or hire a pet sitter. This can cost $15 to $45 a day.12
- Technology: If you want to invest in a big-ticket item like an automated feeder or a health tracker, this costs $185 on average.2
Pets Best Can Help You Keep Your Cat Healthy
Animal shelters are overflowing with abandoned and unwanted pets that need loving homes. If you're thinking of adopting a pet cat, make sure you're prepared financially for the lifelong commitment of a furry companion. You'll enjoy years of love from your new best friend to thank you for your choice.
Getting pet insurance is a great way to help you protect your cat from diseases and illnesses they may encounter growing up. At Pets Best, our cat insurance plans can be customized for your pet's unique needs. In addition, Pets Best policyholders can speak to a veterinary expert anytime through a 24/7 Pet Helpline.
Sources/ Citations
1. "Pet population continues to increase while pet spending declines," Malinda Larkin (11/2024), American Veterinary Medical Association, https://www.avma.org/news/pet-population-continues-increase-while-pet-spending-declines
2. "Lifetime of Care Study," (1/2022), Synchrony, http://petlifetimeofcare.com
3. "The costs of owning a cat," (n.d.), Porter County Animal Shelter, https://www.portercountyanimalshelter.org/153/The-Costs-Of-Owning-A-Cat
4. "Begin your adoption," (n.d.), Houston SPCA, https://houstonspca.org/adoption/
5. "Available cats," (n.d.), Specialty Purebred Cat Rescue, https://purebredcatrescue.org/available-cats/
6. "How much does it cost to adopt a cat from a shelter? 2025 update," Nicole Cosgrove (1/2025), PangoVet, https://pangovet.com/pet-lifestyle/cats/how-much-does-it-cost-to-adopt-a-cat-from-a-shelter/
7. "How much does a cat or kitten cost? 2025 Guide," Krysha Thayer (1/2025), PangoVet, https://pangovet.com/pet-lifestyle/cats/how-much-does-a-cat-or-kitten-cost/
8. "How much does a cat or kitten cost?" (n.d.), Petfinder, https://www.petfinder.com/cats-and-kittens/information/cat-facts/how-much-does-a-cat-cost/
9. "Pet emergency statistics and veterinary costs," (n.d.), Preventive Vet, https://www.preventivevet.com/pet-emergency-statistics
10. "Most and least expensive cat breeds," Dr. Timea Brady (2/2023), Brownsburg Animal Clinic, https://brownsburganimalclinic.com/most-and-least-expensive-cat-breeds/
11. "State of the Industry Report: 2024 Highlights," (4/2024), North American Pet Health Insurance Association, https://naphia.org/industry-data/section-3-average-premiums/
12. "What's the price of cat boarding in 2025? Costs & FAQ," Christian Adams (1/2025), Catster, https://www.catster.com/lifestyle/cat-boarding-cost/