How much does a cat cost per year?

First-year costs

• Adoption fee: often $50 to $200 from a shelter, and many include vaccines and spay or neuter
• Spay or neuter (if not included): commonly a few hundred dollars
• First vet visit and kitten vaccines
• Setup: litter box, scratching post, carrier, bed, bowls and toys

Yearly costs

• Food: dry, wet or a mix. Wet food usually costs more.
• Litter: a steady monthly cost, especially with more than one cat
• Yearly vet checkup and vaccines
• Flea prevention, even for many indoor cats
• Dental care, which becomes more important as cats age
• Pet insurance (optional)

Many cat owners spend roughly $1,000 to $2,000 a year once everything is added up. Try your own numbers in our pet cost calculator (choose "Cat").

Costs that sneak up

• Urinary and dental problems, which are common in cats
• Senior care: cats 11 and older often need more checkups and bloodwork
• Pet sitting when you travel

Simple ways to save

1. Adopt from a shelter where vaccines and spay or neuter are included.
2. Keep your cat at a healthy weight. It's cheaper than treating weight-related problems.
3. Keep up with yearly checkups so small problems get caught early.
4. Set aside a small monthly amount for surprise vet bills.

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The Paw Plan shares general information, not veterinary advice. Every pet is different, so check with your vet about your pet's health, diet and care.