Cats are generally cheaper than dogs to keep, but they are not free, and the first year costs more than every year after. According to ASPCA Pet Insurance, you can plan to spend somewhere around $600 to $650 a year on an average cat once you are past setup, while the ASPCA's own pet care cost estimates put the first year closer to $1,900 and each following year near $1,150. The gap between those figures is mostly one-time gear and initial veterinary care.
This guide breaks the yearly cost into categories so you can build a budget for your own cat and home rather than a national average.
First year versus every year after
The first year is the most expensive because you buy equipment once and pay for a heavier medical schedule. A kitten needs a series of vaccinations, deworming, and spay or neuter surgery, all in the first several months. On top of that come the setup purchases: a carrier, litter box, scratching post, bowls, and bedding. Add initial medical care and starter gear together and a realistic first year commonly lands well above a typical ongoing year.
Over a lifetime the total is larger than any single year suggests. A 2025 Synchrony Lifetime of Care study found that most pet owners underestimate lifetime costs, and cats commonly live 15 years or more. Budgeting for a long commitment, rather than just the first exciting months, is the honest way to plan.
Food and treats
Food is the most predictable recurring cost. A quality complete-and-balanced diet sized to your cat's weight and life stage is the core expense, and it usually costs less for a cat than for a medium or large dog simply because cats are smaller. Prescription or fresh diets cost more. Your veterinarian can help you match portion size and food type to your cat's age and body condition, which helps control both the food bill and weight-related health costs down the line.
Litter and the litter box
Litter is the recurring cost that is unique to cats. Monthly litter adds up over a year, and the amount depends on how many cats you have and which litter you use. The box itself is a one-time purchase you replace occasionally. If you are setting up for the first time, our guide to cat litter boxes covers sizing and the common one-box-per-cat-plus-one guidance that reduces litter box problems.
Routine veterinary care
Budget for at least one wellness exam a year for an adult cat, plus core vaccines and parasite prevention. Cats are famously good at hiding illness, which is exactly why routine exams matter: many problems are caught on a checkup before an owner notices anything wrong. Preventive care is rarely the expensive part of cat ownership. Unplanned illness and injury are, which is where insurance or a dedicated savings buffer earns its place.
Gear and supplies
Most gear is a first-year expense with occasional replacement. The core kit is a carrier, litter box, scratching surfaces, bowls, and bedding. A sturdy cat carrier makes vet visits far less stressful, and a good cat tree or scratching post protects your furniture while giving your cat an outlet for a natural behavior. Buying durable versions once usually costs less over time than replacing flimsy ones.
Pet insurance
Insurance is optional, but it changes how a large surprise bill feels. Premiums for a young, healthy cat are often modest and rise with age. Policies generally do not cover pre-existing conditions, so the cheapest time to enroll is while a cat is young and healthy. For how coverage, deductibles, and exclusions actually work, see our pet insurance basics guide.
The costs people forget
Beyond the core categories, plan for the variable extras: boarding or a sitter when you travel, occasional grooming for long-haired cats, dental care when your vet recommends it, and replacement toys and scratchers. None is large alone, but together they add up. If money is tight, the ASPCA publishes practical ways to reduce pet care costs, including low-cost clinic options.
Building your own number
The best budget is the one you build for your own cat. Start with the food, litter, and vet figures above, add your local prices, decide whether insurance fits your risk tolerance, and pad the total for surprises. A cat you can comfortably afford is a cat you can care for well, which is the real goal behind any of these numbers.