In 2024, it feels like the cost of everything has increased—but what about the cost of being a cat parent? How much does a cat cost per year? At Rover, we dug into the data. The annual costs of raising a cat can range from $930-$2,400 a year. When broken down into monthly costs, the typical range cat parents spend between is $80-$200 a month. Overall, in 2024, cat parents have spent an average of $70 more in 2024 than 2023.
This change is driven largely by increases in the cost of food, at times costing up to 100% more than last year. In fact, cat parents report being most financially impacted by increasing costs of essentials: pet food (62%), treats and toys (51%), and vet visits (48%).
People are also continuing to humanize their pets, treating them like members of their families and wanting the best, most premium products for them. This trend has widened the gap between the low and high end prices of pet products.
Let’s break the cost of cat parenthood down into four categories: upfront costs when you first bring your kitty home, annual essentials you’ll be buying every year, optional extras that vary based on factors like your cat’s breed, age, and lifestyle, and lastly the costs unique to senior kitties and end of life care, which are not represented in the chart above but that we’ll explore at the end of this article.
Grooming your pets at home doesn’t just save money by avoiding going to a salon, it can also help you spot illnesses and infections before they become expensive medical emergencies. Regularly check your pets’ eyes, ears, teeth, and coat as a free and easy way to prevent problems later on.
Cat Prices: How Much Does It Cost to Own Cat or Kitten?
Adopting a cat can come with a handful of surprising initial expenses, and we’re here to demystify the budget. It’s not just kibble and litter that your cat needs. When it comes to bringing a cat home, you can expect the upfront costs to range from $1,875–$3,345 in the first year.
Annual costs for the essentials, from cat food and toys to litter, range from $930 on the low end to $2,400 on the high end. For cat parents who like to go all out, the optional extras cost between $1,075 and $3,995 per year. And if you have a senior cat or a kitty in end of life care, you could spend anywhere from $1,035 to $4,110 on their unique needs.
If this feels like a lot, take a look at the monthly breakdown where costs probably feel more manageable: between $80–$200 per month, with the median being $140.
How Much Does a New Cat Cost?
Item | From | To |
---|---|---|
Adoption fees | $0 | $0 |
Spay surgery | $755 | $970 |
Neuter surgery | $605 | $670 |
Microchip + ID tags | $30 | $130 |
Initial vet exam and vaccinations | $265 | $525 |
Collar | $5 | $20 |
Bed | $20 | $80 |
Food | $45 | $120 |
Food and water bowls | $5 | $85 |
Litter box | $10 | $80 |
Litter | $15 | $80 |
Pet license | $15 | $45 |
Carrier | $45 | $140 |
Scratching post | $35 | $265 |
Brush | $15 | $55 |
Claw trimmers | $10 | $20 |
Toys | $0 | $60 |
Total | $1,875 | $3,345 |
Let’s break these costs down.
First up, adoption fees
In our research this year, we found that many places in Canada don’t charge “pet adoption” fees per se. The cost to bring a new cat or kitten home is more often associated with the recommended (sometimes required) initial vet exam and vaccinations ($265–$525), spay ($755–$970) or neuter ($605–$670) surgery, and microchipping ($30–$130).
However, you can adopt a cat through a speciality cat breeder, which could cost you upwards of $1000 (or more), though we didn’t account for those costs in our estimate this year.
You’ll also want to factor in the cost of a pet license, which is usually fairly inexpensive, ranging from $15-$45, depending on where you live.
Cost of cat necessities
To help your new kitty feel at home and like part of the family, you’ll want to make sure you have the following:
- Cat carrier ($45–$140)
- Collar ($5–$20)
- Cat food and treats ($45–$120)
- Food and water bowls ($5-$85)
- Litter box ($10-$80)
- Litter ($15-$80)
- Scratching post or cat tree ($35-$265)
- Cat bed ($20-$80)
- Cat toys ($0–$60)
- Cat brushes ($15-$55)
- Cat claw trimmers ($10-$25)
While a $265 cat tree is out of the equation for many pet parents, keep in mind that as long as your cat’s innate needs are being met, a simple cardboard scratcher, a perch to watch the world go by (such as a pillow on a windowsill), and a basic kitty litter pan will work just fine. (Remember, these are the creatures who sleep up to 20 hours a day and love to play with toilet paper rolls!)
Did you know you can buy your pets’ medications online? Depending on where you order from, it’s also often cheaper than getting meds directly from your vet. Search for reputable online pet pharmacies, compare costs to find the best price, and make a quick call to your vet to make sure they can authorize fulfillment.
How Much Does a Cat Cost Per Year?
Once your cat is all settled in, it’s important to factor in the costs you can expect to pay every year. These costs usually total between $930-$2,400 annually for the average cat parent.
Item | From | To |
---|---|---|
Food | $520 | $1,450 |
Litter | $265 | $660 |
Toys | $5 | $115 |
Annual check up | $140 | $175 |
Total | $930 | $2,400 |
Let’s break these costs down.
Food costs: In 2024, cat parents can expect to spend between $520-$1,450 on food, depending on the brand, type of food, and how much (and how often) your kitty needs to eat. The massive range of cat food varieties, from basic to premium and kibble to canned, and the relentless pace of inflation continue to make a major impact on the price of cat food.
Litter: Another essential for all indoor cats, litter typically costs between $265-$660 a year to keep your cat’s bathroom fresh and clean. Some cats can be picky and will only use the litter box if you get the right brand.
Toys: While cats aren’t as prone to regularly destroying their toys like dogs, it’s important to keep them active and stimulated with new toys to hunt and play with. Cat toys cost anywhere from $5 to $115 a year depending on what kind of toys your cat likes (from interactive robotic toys to cheap feather wands) and how often you replace them.
Routine vet visits: In 2024, your cat’s annual check up will be around $140-$175.
Discount stores aren’t just for people—you can pick up new, name brand pet gear like beds, bowls, and toys for up to 60% less at retailers like Winners and Marshalls.
How Expensive Can a Cat Get? Additional Extras
Item | From | To |
---|---|---|
Grooming | $70 | $100 |
Drop in visits | $10 | $30 |
Cat boarding or house sitting | $50 (average) | $50 (average) |
Parasite Prevention | $20 | $140 |
Emergency vet bills | $0 | $2,000 |
Dental cleaning | $845 | $1,535 |
Pet insurance | $15 | $135 |
Litter Genie | $35 | $45 |
Total | $1,075 | $3,995 |
Unexpected expenses may not come up for every pet parent, but it’s important to keep surprise costs in mind. These potential costs, which can range from absolutely necessary to optional, average between $1,075-$3,995 total.
Here’s what may factor into budgeting for your surprise costs:
Emergency vet visit: Hopefully you’ll never need to go to an emergency vet, but if you do, a visit can cost upwards of $2,000 for services such as emergency surgeries, x-rays, imaging and the like.
Dental hygiene: An annual dental scaling is often recommended by vets. It’s not cheap—in 2024, you can except to pay between $845-$1,535 for the associated anesthesia, scaling, extractions, and other services—though routine dental care can be preventive medicine in the long run. (As an alternative, you can learn to brush your cat’s teeth—at your own risk—to save on this expense.)
Pet insurance: You may also opt for pet insurance, which can help with alleviating surprise or emergency costs. Pet insurance for cats can cost anywhere from $15–$135 per month ($180–$1,620 per year). According to our research*, 35% of cat parents have pet insurance, 82% of whom agree it’s worth the added cost.
Cat boarding or sitting: Depending on your lifestyle and schedule, you may decide to book pet care for your cat. This averages about $50 for overnight cat sitting in your home.
Professional grooming: A typical cat grooming appointment costs between $70-$100. If you have a long-haired cat or breed with a coat that requires regular maintenance, grooming is important to budget for (or learn how to do, humanely, yourself.)
Litter disposal system: A litter disposal system such as a Litter Genie (which is like a diaper pail, but for cat litter) are a level up from the traditional litter box, but many pet parents appreciate the convenience, and they are relatively inexpensive to purchase at about $35–$45.
Pet deposit: If you rent your home, you may be asked to pay additional pet rent or put down a pet deposit. However, we did not include these costs into our estimate this year as the rules governing how, and even if, a pet deposit can be legally requested across Canada are wide and complex. We recommend doing as much research as you can to learn about your rights as a renter; this article helps to lay out some of the issues at play in Ontario, for example.
You don’t have to be an extreme couponer to save big on pet essentials. Try out money-saving apps like Fetch, sites like LivingSocial, deal aggregators like RetailMeNot, and pet store rewards programs like PetSmart Treats, which offer everything from discounts and cash-back options to rewards points and deals on local pet services.
How Much Does End of Life Care Cost for a Cat?
Item | From | To |
---|---|---|
Euthanasia | $220 | $510 |
Cremation | $105 | $330 |
Private Cremation | $255 | $680 |
Senior pet medication or prescriptions | $255 | $470 |
Special foods | $60 | $120 |
Vet visits and medical costs | $140 | $2,000 |
Total | $1,035 | $4,110 |
As difficult it can be to imagine, a pet’s senior years and end of life care is important to keep in mind. A cat’s needs will change as they age, and it’s important as pet parents to show up for and support them at every stage of life.
Depending on your cat’s health and other considerations, the costs during your cat’s golden years and at the time of their death could be anywhere from $1,035 to $4,110.
These costs factor in products and services such as:
- Senior pet medication for pain or disease management: $255–$680 per year.
- Specially formulated senior cat food, or prescription cat food for age-related conditions such as urinary or kidney issues may run anywhere between $60–$120 a month.
- More frequent veterinary care for testing, imaging, check ups, surgery, etc: $140–$2,000.
- Euthanasia can take place at a veterinarian’s office for around $220, though some families who can afford it prefer to have their pets put to sleep at home, where they are likely to be less stressed in their familiar surroundings. At-home euthanasia can cost up to $510.
- If you choose to have your pet cremated, your veterinarian may charge in the range of $105–$330, while private services offered through pet memorial homes may range from $255–$470.
How much would you pay to help your cat live longer? Just over half (56%) of pet parents would consider life extending medications for their cat, despite the potential added costs. In fact, 16% would be willing to pay any amount if it meant their cat would live for just one extra year*.
Many veterinary services, especially those needed for new or young pets (such as spay/neuter surgery and vaccinations) are offered for free, on a sliding scale, or at low-cost at some clinics. Progressive Animal Welfare Services (PAWS) has some great tips for finding affordable veterinary care in your area.
Additional Resources
Should You Adopt Two Cats?
There are many things to consider when adopting a cat. Our guide to finding the right feline friend for your home outlines whether you should go for a kitten or an adult cat to where you should consider a second cat. Here’s how to adopt a cat in Canada.
Health Benefits of Living with a Cat
More than a cuddly companion, cats are help you reduce stress, sleep better, and feel less lonely. Read up on the benefits of living with a cat.
Methodology
*A Rover survey of 500 pet parents conducted in February 2024, via Pollfish.
Sources
Calgary.ca, Rebecca Greenstein, B.Sc., D.V.M., and Andrea Woroch of The Pet People, Petsmart, Pet Valu, Rover, Toronto.ca