How Much Does a Cat Cost in 2025?

Here’s what you can expect to pay up front and each year following.  

In addition to up–front costs and annual expenses, factor in these monthly cat costs:  

Typically, the most expensive times to own a cat are when you first bring them home and then in their end-of-life care. Up–front cat costs include any adoption fees or breeder prices; initial medical costs to ensure they’re vaccinated and healthy; and all cat essentials.  

Adoption fees vary widely by organization, your location, and the age of the cat. Costs tend to range $0–$255.   

At shelters and rescue organizations, “adoption fees typically include some level of veterinary care, such as initial vaccinations; spay or neuter surgery; and testing for infectious diseases like feline leukemia virus (FeLV) and feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV),” says veterinarian Cassi Fleming, DVM, founder of Springs Veterinary Services in Florida and host of the North American Veterinary Community’s (NAVC) VetFolio podcast.  

Costs also vary when purchasing a cat from a breeder, with prices ranging from $500–$3,500 or more depending on how rare the breed is.  

“The average cost for a purebred cat from a reputable breeder typically ranges from $800–$1,800 for more common breeds, such as Siamese or Maine Coon, though this can vary based on factors like location, pedigree quality, and demand,” says Desiree Bobby, expo producer for the Cat Fanciers’ Association (CFA) International Cat Show and Expo.  

“Rarer natural mutation breeds—like the Devon Rex, Sphynx, and Lykoi—tend to cost $2,000–$3,000 and can exceed $3,500 due to limited availability.”  

No matter how you acquire your cat, you’ll need to budget for up-front medical costs, including physical exams, vaccinations, spay/neuter procedures, and any potential medical needs. Here’s what Dr. Fleming says to account for:  

• Initial physical exam ($30–$200): This exam gives your veterinarian a chance to take a good look over your new friend from nose to tail. Their goal is to identify potential issues, including infections (upper respiratory and ear being most common in adopted cats), heart function, parasites, and dental health.  
• Vaccinations ($60–$300): Kittens need a series of vaccines with boosters until they hit 4 to 5 months old, while adult cats with unknown history will also require initial shots. Core vaccines include Rabies, FVRCP, and potentially Feline Leukemia (FeLV). 
• Parasite screening and prevention ($50–$200): A stool sample should be tested for intestinal parasites, even if no symptoms are present. Regular preventives for fleas, ticks, heartworms, and internal parasites should be started and maintained. 
• Retrovirus testing for FeLV & FIV ($25–$60): Testing is recommended for kittens or cats from shelters to identify immune-compromising viruses. Knowing their status helps guide future care and protect other pets. 
• Spay/neuter surgery ($0–$500+): If not already done, spaying or neutering is essential to prevent unwanted litters, and health issues like uterine infections or marking behaviors. There are low-cost clinics that perform this outpatient surgery. 
• Microchipping ($10–$60): Sometimes this is already done by the shelter, but double-check when rescuing. “If your cat were ever to become lost, their microchip could be scanned by staff at a veterinary clinic or shelter in order to give your cat the best chance of being reunited with you,” Dr. Fleming says.  
• Baseline lab work ($20–$150): Even if a cat seems perfectly healthy on the outside after a thorough physical examination, baseline lab work provides a clearer picture of overall health and establishes a point of comparison for the future. 

Check with your veterinarian about kitten bundles that account for all these expenses. Your pet insurance may also offer a similar bundle or cover some of the costs.  

Along with up-front medical costs, you’ll also want to make sure your home is equipped with everything your cat needs from the get-go. These items include: 

• A litter box and litter (with scoop)

• Cat food

• A cat carrier

• Some fun toys

• Cat treats

These costs vary, but expect to pay $125–$500 depending on the items you choose.  

Of course, cats require ongoing care, which means you should budget for monthly and annual expenses.  

Monthly Expenses  

• Cat food 
• Cat litter 
• Cat treats 
• Flea/tick prevention 
• Prescription medications (if your cat has a chronic condition)   
• Toys and enrichment 

Annual Expenses 

• Routine veterinary visits 
• Vaccine boosters 
• Professional dental cleanings (strongly recommended) 
• Your pet insurance premium (optional, but a good idea) 
• Grooming needs (not always required) 

Unexpected costs and emergencies can also pop up, so it’s a good idea to have pet insurance and/or savings to cover or reimburse a portion of these costs.  

Caring for cats can often get more expensive as they enter their senior years. This is mostly due to an increase in age-related illnesses that require more frequent veterinary visits, lab work, medications, and sometimes specialist care.  

“Chronic conditions like hyperthyroidism, chronic kidney disease, diabetes, and arthritis are more common in senior cats and often require ongoing management,” Dr. Fleming says. “Regular recheck exams, blood work and other diagnostics, veterinary diets, and medications necessary to manage these conditions can lead to a significant increase in the cost of cat ownership.”  

And even though it’s hard to think about now, Dr. Fleming says pet parents must factor in end-of-life care, including any potential need for palliative care and euthanasia.  

“The cost of in-home euthanasia is generally higher compared to in-clinic euthanasia,” she says, with the former averaging between $350 and $900 or more, and the latter ranging from $120 to $130. “Additional expenses associated with end-of-life care may include cremation, urns or other memorial items, and grief support resources.” 

As you can see, the cost of a cat goes far beyond a litter box and some tasty kibble. Your kitty requires ongoing care throughout their life. Fortunately, there are some ways to make costs more manageable.  

While pet insurance might feel like an extra monthly/annual expense, it can end up saving you quite a bit of money in the long run. Plus, it provides peace of mind and can even affect how proactive you are when tending to your cat’s medical needs by encouraging you to err on the side of caution.  

“Costs can vary widely depending on the type of policy,” Dr. Fleming says. “Costs depend on your cat’s age, breed, location, and the level of coverage selected.”  

Some of these plans also cover vaccinations, dental cleanings, and other preventive wellness in addition to big emergencies. The sooner you enroll your cat, the better, since many plans won’t cover pre-existing conditions.  

Some veterinary clinics may offer wellness plans, which are separate from pet insurance and are designed to help spread out the cost of care over time.  

“These are typically billed monthly and often include preventive care such as exams, vaccines, blood work, etc.,” Dr. Fleming says. “Some may also include diagnostics, such as radiographs, or even procedures like dental cleanings.”  

Wellness plans can help make budgeting for routine care easier. These plans usually range from $15–$50 per month, depending on the services included.  

Research whether your area has low-cost clinics, which charge a lower rate on some procedures and preventive measures compared to traditional veterinary offices.  

For example, some low-cost spay and neuter clinics perform this surgery for less than $50—or even free of charge. Some also offer discounted rates on vaccinations, microchipping, wellness exams, and vaccinations.