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The cost of owning a cat

Discover the monthly, annual and initial costs of cat ownership, including food, insurance, vet fees and everyday care. 

The cost of owning a cat

Discover the monthly, annual and initial costs of cat ownership, including food, insurance, vet fees and everyday care. 

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How much does it cost to own a cat in the UK? 

Owning a cat can be a fulfilling and rewarding experience, but while a pet can offer companionship, the cost of owning a cat is a long-term financial commitment.  

In fact, the typical annual cost of a cat is estimated to be over £1,000 each year. A healthy cat can live up to 18 years, so you might want to think about how you’ll budget for your pet for the foreseeable. Take a look at our guide for the costs of basic cat ownership.

One-off expenses 

Item 

Approximate cost 

Cat carrier 

£25 to £40 

Microchip 

£20 to £30 

Scratching post 

£30 to £40 

Toys 

£40 to £60 

Litter tray 

£10 to £25 each, although we’d recommend having more than one 

Food and water bowls 

£10 to £20 

Grooming tools (brush)

£10 to £20 

Cat flap (excluding installation) 

£40 to £60 

Cat bed 

£20 to £40 

 Monthly expenses 

Item 

Approximate cost 

Routine healthcare including worming, flea treatment 

£10 to £20 

Food 

£20 to £50, although premium or prescription diets may cost more  

Litter 

£20 to £30 

Insurance 

£25 to £50, although this varies with age, breed, any existing health conditions and even your postcode area 

Vet health club 

£20 to £40. Although not mandatory to sign up to, being part of your vet’s health club usually covers routine healthcare like flea and worming treatment as well as annual vaccines 

 Annual expenses 

Item 

Approximate cost 

Annual vet check 

£50 to £80 

Annual vaccinations 

£70 to £90, depending on where you live 

Pet sitting 

£150 to £300 for one week, depending on where you live 

Initial costs of getting a cat

Buying or adopting a cat 

If you’re thinking about getting a cat, you’ll need to think about whether you’d like to buy a cat or adopt one who needs a home. 

Of course, we’re a bit biased but we think adopting from us is a great choice. Not only will you be providing a home for a cat that needs one but neutering, microchipping, vaccinations and an initial health check is all included in your adoption fee. You’ll also get four weeks' free pet insurance. 

Adoption fees can vary depending on where you are in the UK but you can expect to pay between £80 and £120 to adopt an adult cat and £100 to £120 for a kitten. 

If you’re looking to buy a cat, non-pedigree cats and kittens can cost anything from £80 to £300, while pedigree cats like British Shorthairs, Maine Coons or Ragdolls can cost anything from £800 to £2,000. 

Essentials for a new cat

Before you bring your new cat home, you’ll need to buy a few essentials that may need replacing from time to time.

  • Two food bowls and two water bowls  
  • Food. Prices vary hugely by brand but check the back of the packet if you’re unsure 
  • A soft, warm and comfortable bed, although cats regularly rotate their sleeping spaces so you may need more than one! 
  • Ideally two litter trays and litter. We’d recommend fresh litter changed at least once a week. Litters vary in price and you’ll have the option of clumping or non-clumping 
  • A sturdy scratching post 
  • A brush 
  • Cat toys  
  • A cat carrier 
  • A cat flap, or at least a method of allowing your cat access to the outside. If you want to install a cat flap, you’ll also need to add installation into the cost
brown tabby cat with bib of white fur

Your first vet visit and associated costs

If you have adopted a cat from Cats Protection, your cat will have received a full health check including their first set of vaccinations, neutering and microchipping. If you have bought a cat, you’ll need to factor in these costs. 

  • Vaccinations. Annual vaccinations (including the initial vaccinations your cat needs) are approximately £70 to £90 but are hugely dependent on where you live. They protect your cat against common but potentially serious cat diseases
  • Neutering. Male cats cost around £50 to £100 and female cats cost around £100 to £300. Neutering is important to avoid unwanted litters of kittens but also offers a whole host of health benefits 
  • Microchipping. Microchipping costs around £20 to £30 and is now a legal requirement in England so you could be charged up to £500 if you don’t comply. It is also the most effective method of being reunited with your cat should they go missing
  • First vet visit. The initial health check for a cat is usually around £45 to £60

Monthly cost of owning a cat 

Once you bring your cat home, you’ll need to spend money on them regularly. These costs include: 

  • cat food costs. Brand and variety of cat food varies hugely but check the packet if you’re unsure. If your cat has a special diet, for example using specifically formulated food to be kind to their teeth, this will also affect the price
  • cat litter. You’ll need to change your cat’s litter regularly. Scoop out solid waste daily and change clumping litter every two to four weeks. Non-clumping litter will need to be refreshed more regularly
  • cat insurance is usually paid monthly, although some insurance companies may offer the opportunity to pay annually. In the UK, the average cost of pet insurance for a cat is around £25 to £50, but the exact amount depends on the type of policy, your cat’s age, breed and local area as well as if they have any pre-existing health conditions
  • flea and worming treatment. To keep your cat free of parasites, you’ll likely need to treat for fleas and worms regularly. Speak to your vet for more advice but most treatments are priced anything from £5 to £35 per month
  • pet health club at your local vets. While being the member of a pet club at your vets has a monthly cost, it may be a great way of saving money depending on your cat. Many vet surgeries offer their own loyalty schemes that include vaccinations, health checks and even worming and flea treatments included. We’d recommend looking into your local scheme yourself to see if it may or may not work out cheaper

Annual and ongoing costs 

There are several costs of having a cat that you’ll have to budget for each year too. These are: 

  • annual vet check. Even if your cat isn’t showing signs of illness, it is a good idea to visit your vet at least once a year. They’ll check your cat’s overall health, which may prevent your cat from getting ill. A vet visit is likely to cost around £50 to £70 depending on the area you live in
  • annual cat vaccinations. These generally cost between £50 to £80 and protect your cat from a host of illnesses
  • cat sitting. Of course, if you’re planning on going on holiday, it is important to make sure your cat will be looked after. If you’re unable to ask a friend or neighbour to help, you may require a professional pet sitter. Pricing depends on the service you’re after, your location, and how many cats you have but you can expect to pay anything from £15 to £20 per visit
tortoiseshell-and-white cat wearing plastic cone collar

Unexpected and emergency costs 

Medical emergencies are notoriously expensive, from visiting the vet out of hours to intensive surgeries or treatments that are needed urgently. Most vets need payment upfront (even if you can claim back on your insurance), so you’ll need to be prepared for any costs as well as paying the excess on your insurance. 

Out-of-hours or emergency consultations can be upwards of £150, while x-rays, blood tests and ultrasounds can cost significantly more, sometimes up to several thousands of pounds. 

Setting yourself up with pet insurance is important to cover the costs. You may also want to consider setting up a dedicated emergency savings fund for any emergencies. Another option is keeping a credit card strictly for emergencies or ask your vet about setting up a payment plan. 

How to reduce the cost of owning a cat 

While some costs can’t be avoided, there are some simple things you can do to keep costs down when owning a cat. 

  • Adopt a cat instead of buying. While we’re biased to say so, adopting a cat is generally cheaper than buying a cat. Vaccinations, neutering and microchipping are all covered in the adoption fee
  • Get pet insurance. Insurance can help you cope with any unexpected vet bills
  • Consider signing up to your vet’s health club. Local vet wellness plans often work out cheaper and help spread the cost of routine vaccinations, flea and worming treatments and health checks. Speak to your local vet to see if they have one available and work out whether this option will be cheaper for you or not
  • Make your own toys. Cat toys can be expensive but cats are generally quite happy with the novelty of a cardboard box or a length of string for playtime
  • Look out for cat food offers. Shop around for cat food and you might pick up a bargain. Some companies offer a subscription service with a discount for regular orders, making it easer to budget 
  • Arrange a pet sitting swap. If you’re planning to be away, ask friends, family or neighbours to look after your cat to avoid cattery or pet sitting fees. Then repay the favour when they’re on holiday! 

What to do if you’re worried about affording your cat 

We’re all too aware of how worrying the cost of living is for cat owners and if you’re worried about affording your cat, you’re not on your own.  

There are a number of charities that offer extra support with vet bills and neutering for those on lower incomes, including: 

You can also find pet food banks at: 

You can also read our advice on how to save money as a cat owner. If you are thinking about giving up a cat due to your financial situation, we can help too.  

A brown-and-white tabby cat sat on a cat tower and a black-and-white cat stood on a windowsill next to it
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