How Much Does a Cat Cost Per Year?
Calculate the annual and lifetime cost of owning a cat. Food, litter, vet, and supplies by cat type.
Annual Cat Costs Breakdown
The average cat costs $800-1,500 per year to own. The biggest expenses: food ($20-70/month depending on quality), litter ($15-25/month), and veterinary care ($250-500/year for routine care). Purebred cats cost 20-30% more due to breed-specific health issues. Kittens cost 40-50% more in their first year due to spay/neuter, initial vaccines, and supplies.
Cats Are Cheaper Than Dogs
On average, cats cost 30-40% less than dogs of similar size. No grooming appointments, no boarding (cats can be left with an auto-feeder for a weekend), smaller food portions, and fewer vet emergencies. The biggest unique cat expense is litter: $200-350/year, which dogs obviously do not need.
The ASPCA estimates first-year cat ownership at $1,174 and subsequent years at $809. However, this consistently underestimates veterinary costs — a single dental cleaning ($300-700) or urinary blockage emergency ($1,500-3,000) can exceed the annual estimate.
