What is the average cost of owning a cat?

On average, owning a cat will cost around £1,500 a year, once you factor in food, litter, vet bills. insurance and other essentials. Owning a cat is a big commitment and it’s worth knowing what you're signing up for before bringing one home. 

If you’re getting a standard domestic cat from a reputable breeder or rescue home, you’re not going to be breaking the kitty, with an average price of £50 to £200.

However, you can spend a lot more, with the price of some cats really making your fur stand on end.

Russian Blue, Maine Coon and Norwegian Forest cats can cost well over £1,000.

The Bengal, Savannah and Ashera breeds, which are all hybrids of small leopards and domestic cats, can have price tags in the tens of thousands.

While feeding a cat is going to cost you less than a dog, their food bill can still be significant.

You’re probably looking at between £240 to £655 a year,  depending on what kind of cat food you’re buying.

Higher quality cat food can be beneficial for your pet’s health, although it can be more expensive. But, make sure you check the ingredients to make sure you’re actually getting a higher meat content.

There are quite a lot of additional costs when it comes to owning a cat. Not only do you need the obvious things, like a bowl and bed, but there are also things like litter trays and litter.

As a starting point, you need to be looking at about £145 to £190 a year to cover the most basic expenses.

Now, there are things you can spend a huge amount of money on, like scratching posts, so this is really up to you. But let’s be honest, the cat will probably end up playing with the box it came in anyway.

A lifetime pet insurance policy for you cat will cost around £285 a year, according to Battersea Dogs & Cats Home.

You can save money by getting a one-year policy in the early years, but be careful.

Premiums will go up a lot when your cat gets to about six or seven, and you might struggle to get cat insurance at all when they get to eight or nine, or even younger for some breeds.

Vet bills can be really expensive, which is why so many people choose to get pet insurance.

But, if you’re thinking about covering the costs yourself, it’s worth knowing how much they might set you back.

Surgery can cost on average £1,500, but the things which will really hit you in the pocket are ongoing medical costs for long-term illnesses.

Cats are particularly prone to certain illnesses like urinary tract infections and liver disease.

When you first bring your kitten home, it’s vital you get their vaccinations and keep up with the annual boosters. The first round of jabs will cost about £100, with another £50 for the annual boosters.

If you choose to get a cat or kitten from a rescue shelter, they will normally already have the first round of vaccinations done.

If you want to avoid the pitter patter of tiny kitten paws, then you’re going to need around £100 to £300 have your cat spayed or neutered.

In 2024, microchipping your cat became a legal requirement, just like it is for dogs.

And it doesn’t even cost much, with an average price of just £20 to £30.

Some microchipping companies charge you to update your details, check the terms and conditions when you get your cat chipped.  

Cats need monthly flea treatments, and worming is another important preventative treatment needed every three months. These routine treatments can set you back around £120 a year.

Grooming requirements vary depending on the breed of cat you have and, more specifically, its coat.

Domestic cats require regular brushing to avoid matts in their coat and fur balls and a high-quality brush is not going to set you back very much.

Pedigree and long-haired cats will require more grooming and you might want to consider taking them to get professionally groomed. This will usually set you back about £30 to £100 depending on the size of your cat.

If you want to make life a bit easier, for you and your cat, you might be thinking about installing a cat flap.

There are two things to think about here - the cost of the cat flap itself and the cost of installing the cat flap.

You can buy a cat flap for as little as £10, but they can cost more than £50 for ones with infrared or microchip sensors. Cat flaps with wi-fi and timer features can be even more expensive.  

The bigger issue is installation and where you choose to put the flap, which could cost between £40 and £200.

If you want to take your cat on holiday with you, then a pet passport can cost as little as £130 or as much as £330, or more. The cost depends on the vet practice and where you’re travelling to and from.

Your cat must have been microchipped to get a pet passport and they will also need a rabies vaccination and be treated for tapeworm before they return to the UK.

It’s also worth remembering your pet insurance might not cover you if you’re out of the UK.

If you don’t want to go through the hassle of taking your cat abroad with you, then catteries are another option.

On average, this will probably set you back between £10 and £20 a day, plus extras.

Another option would be arranging for a pet sitter to come visit and feed your cat while you’re away, which removes the stress of taking them to an unfamiliar location. This will cost a similar amount to a stay in a cattery.

When the time comes to say goodbye to your cat, it will usually cost from around £100 up to £300. It can cost more if your cat is put to sleep at night, on weekends, or at home instead of at the vet’s clinic.

There is a large variation on how much it costs for a cremation and it largely comes down to do you want the ashes back.

If you do want the ashes back, the you’ll need an individual cremation, which costs more. This will usually set you back between £150 and £300.

If you don’t want the ashes back, then it should only cost you £50.

Some vets also offer a combined euthanasia and cremation service, but this won’t save you much money.