Recently, it feels like the cost of everything has increased—but what about the cost of being a cat parent? According to Rover’s survey of 1,000 pet parents, 42% of cat parents are concerned about the rising cost of pet care over their pet’s lifetime. This year, cat parents can expect annual costs to rise by as much as 32%. We’ll break that down further throughout our report on the cost of cat care in 2025.
From the moment you bring your cat home, your cat’s lifetime costs can range from $13,095 to $73,585. Factors that influence this cost include the size of your cat and their lifespan.
If these costs feel like a lot to take in, you’re not alone — 24% of cat parents admit they are worried about being able to afford the things their pet needs right now. Learning what costs there are to anticipate, especially in their senior years, can help you stay within budget. And remember, the average healthy cat lives for 12 to 18 years — but may live up to 20.
At Rover, we’ve witnessed this cost rise as we refresh our data this year, researching prices across the nation and interviewing experts. A significant factor for the cost of cat care is the rising trend of premium cat toys, trees, and scratchers (68%). This trend has widened the gap between the low and high end prices of pet products.
Let’s break down the cost of cat parenthood into four categories: upfront costs when you first bring your kitty home, annual essentials that you’ll need to buy every year, optional extras that vary depending on factors like your cat’s breed, age, and lifestyle, and finally, the costs unique to senior kitties and end-of-life care.
Cat Prices: How Much Does It Cost to Get a Cat?
When it comes to adopting a cat, you can expect the upfront costs to range from $1,215 to $3,285 in the first year. This marks a 21% increase from last year, largely due to rising prices in veterinary care (25%), cat food and treats (53%), cat supplies (72%), and enrichment toys, such as cat trees and scratching posts (20%).
A cat’s size and age can also play a major role in the initial cost for supplies, such as kitten food, size-appropriate toys, and veterinary care.
Up-front costs for bringing your cat home:
| Low | High | |
|---|---|---|
| Adoption fee | $50 | $205 |
| Health | $370 | $620 |
| Spay/neuter costs | $370 | $485 |
| Diet and treats | $170 | $810 |
| Hygiene | $75 | $510 |
| Enrichment | $15 | $115 |
| Grooming | $20 | $85 |
| Gear | $55 | $305 |
| Pet license | $35 | $50 |
Let’s break these costs down.
First up, adoption fees: kitten vs. older cat
The cost of adopting a cat can vary greatly, from bringing home a cute, free kitten from your neighbour to finding the perfect pet at your local humane society. You could even adopt through a specialty cat breeder, which may cost upwards of $1,000, though we haven’t included these costs in our estimates.
For most people, adopting a cat typically ranges from $50 to $205. In some cases, the adoption fee may cover the cost of spaying or neutering. However, if it doesn’t, keep in mind that those surgeries can cost between $370 and $485, depending on when you spay or neuter your cat.
Cost of cat vet visits
The cost of cat vet visits will vary depending on the age of your kitten or cat when you bring them home. Kittens will require a series of vaccination boosters during their first 4 months, which can cost between $300 and $380. After that, they’ll need a yearly shot for upkeep, typically costing between $75 and $95.
Some vet clinics may skip the office visit fee ($115 to $125) and charge a vet tech fee instead, if your cat is only getting a vaccination.
Other essential one-time costs to consider are:
- microchip ($55 to $100) in case your cat ever gets lost
- a pet license ($35 to $50) to help prove vaccinations
- grooming supplies, such as a brush ($15 to $50) and nail trimmers ($5 to $40)
When it comes to sourcing supplies, 52% of pet parents will prioritize Canadian brands or locally-sourced options, even if they cost more. Another 31% state they will prioritize Canadian pet food, if the price isn’t significantly higher.
Cat necessities vs. optional supplies
The upfront cost of cat supplies can range from $705 to $2,445. These prices may look high, they include premium products, such as ceiling to floor cat trees or high-tech litter robots. Most cat supplies only need to be replaced every year or two, with the exception of litter and cat food, which are recurring monthly or bi-monthly expenses.
To help your new kitty feel at home and like part of the family, follow our new kitten supply checklist. The costs below represent one-time purchases:
- Cat carrier ($20 to $155)
- Collar ($10 to $20)
- Food and water bowls ($5 to $55)
- Litter box ($10 to $450)
- Scratching post or cat tree ($10 to $330)
- Cat bed ($15 to $95)
- Cat toys ($10 to $65)
- Litter ($12 to $42)
- Cat food and treats ($25 to $150)
It’s a good idea to start with more affordable cat supplies before splurging. For some cats, 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, cats are creatures who sleep up to 20 hours a day and love to play with toilet paper rolls!
How Much Does a Cat Cost Per Year?
Once your cat is all settled in, it’s important to factor in the ongoing costs you’ll face throughout the year. For kittens, you can expect to spend between $1,105 and $3,205, reflecting a 10% increase from last year.
If you’re bringing home an adult cat, or wondering how much your kitten will cost after its first year, expect a 4% increase in spending due to rising food costs. An adult cat may cost between $875 and $4,195 per year until they reach their senior years.
Interestingly, the cost of caring for a senior cat may drop by up to 10%, primarily due to reduced food and supply needs. For a senior cat, you can expect to spend between $735 and $3,810 per year. This estimate does not include late-stage care, such as mobility aids, medication, and dental cleaning, which could add an additional $2,585 annually.
| Kitten to Adult Years | Senior Years | |
|---|---|---|
| Food and treats | $510 to $2,375 | $470 to $2,750 |
| Litter | $140 to $565 | $140 to $565 |
| Litter box | $10 to $450 | $10 to $200 |
| Toys | $10 to $65 | $0 to $50 |
| Cat tree | $55 to $330 | $0 to $330 |
| Gear | $30 to $245 | $30 to $245 |
| Annual exam | $75 | $75 |
| Flea prevention | $155 to $285 | $85 to $390 |
| Vaccines | $165 to $185 | $165 to $185 |
| Pet insurance | $300 to $1,380 | $720 to $2,340 |
| Medical and dental | $445 to $695 | $670 to $1,945 |
Let’s break the cost of cat care down
- Food costs: In 2025, cat parents can expect to spend between $510 and $2,375 annually on food, depending on the brand, type of food, and how often your kitty eats. These estimates are based on a combination of 2/3 dry food and 1/3 wet food.
- Litter: Another essential for all indoor cats, litter typically costs between $140 and $565 a year to keep your cat’s bathroom fresh and clean. Note that senior cats generally don’t require more litter, as increased or inappropriate urination could signal a medical issue.
- Toys: While cats aren’t as likely to destroy their toys as dogs, it’s important to keep them engaged and active with new toys. Expect to spend between $10 and $60 annually on toys, depending on what type your cat prefers (ranging from interactive robotic toys to simple feather wands) and how often you replace them.
- Routine vet visits: In 2025, your cat’s annual check-up will likely cost around $75.
- Pet insurance: If you choose pet insurance, it can help cover unexpected or emergency costs. For cats, pet insurance typically ranges from $25 to $195 per month, or $265 to $1,210 per year.
How Much Does End-of-Life Care Cost for a Cat?
As difficult as it may be to imagine, a pet’s senior years and end-of-life care are important to consider. A cat’s needs will change as they age, and it’s crucial for pet parents to be there for them, providing support at every stage of life.
Depending on your cat’s health and other factors, the costs during their golden years and at the time of their passing can range from $2,265 to $4,385.
| Low | High | |
|---|---|---|
| Senior pet medication | $560 | $1,085 |
| Test panels | $150 | $350 |
| Senior cat supplies (ramps, litter box, etc.) | $30 | $170 |
| Euthanasia | $410 | $655 |
| Cremation | $60 | $225 |
| Private cremation | $215 | $280 |
| Special diet foods | $840 | $1,620 |
What Is the Monthly Breakdown of Cat Expenses?
It may be helpful to break down your budget into monthly expenses so you can better plan ahead. On average, cat parents with a medium-sized breed can expect to spend between $80 and $310 per month on their cat’s care.
We defined these categories based on spending needs:
- Diet & health (approx. $30 to $118): This category includes everything related to wellness, such as food, treats, chews, and monthly preventatives.
- Medical (approx. $13 to $50): Covers vet visits, medications, and dental care.
- Gear (approx. $4 to $16): Includes essentials like litter, toys, cat beds, and cat trees.
- Grooming (approx. $3): This covers grooming tools like brushes and nail trimmers. Cat parents can expect to spend $36 total for these supplies.
- Pet care services (approx. $48 to $192 annually): This category includes costs for cat sitting, drop-ins, and boarding.
- Miscellaneous (approx. $28 to $108 annually): Includes unplanned pet care costs, such as emergency vet services or high-end item purchases.
Note: Grooming, pet care, and surprise costs, such as emergency vet visits or miscellaneous products, are more likely to occur once a quarter or year rather than monthly. As a result, we multiplied the monthly cost by 12 to show a more realistic spend for the average healthy cat.
Unexpected Expenses: Surprise Cat Costs
Unexpected expenses may not arise for every pet parent, but it’s important to keep them in mind. These potential costs, ranging from essential to optional, typically average between $730 and $2,250 in total.
| Low | High | |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency vet bills | $200 | $1,250 |
| Grooming | $0 | $155 |
| Drop in visits | $20 | $40 |
| Cat boarding or house sitting | $30 | $70 |
| Apartment pet deposit | $600 | $1,190 |
| Litter Genie | $35 | $40 |
Here’s what may factor into your surprise costs:
- Emergency vet visit: While we hope you’ll never need to visit an emergency vet, if you do, the cost can range from $200 to $1,250. This includes services like emergency surgeries, x-rays, imaging, and overnight care.
- Cat boarding or sitting: Don’t forget to factor cat care costs when you go on a trip! Cat care can cost as little as $20 for a drop in visit or up to $70 per night for an overnight cat sitter in your home.
- Professional grooming: A typical cat grooming appointment costs up to $155, or $620 per year. If you have a long-haired cat or breed with a coat that requires regular maintenance, grooming is important to budget for four grooming sessions a year.
- 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 $30 to $40.
A note about pet deposit
If you rent your home, you’ll likely need to pay additional pet rent or put down a pet deposit before bringing your cat home. Cat urine is notoriously hard to remove so landlords typically charge a pet deposit. A cat deposit usually adds up to about $600 to $1,190, or half of a month’s rent, for the average renter.
Methodology
*A Rover survey of 1,000 pet parents conducted in February 2025, via Pollfish
