How Much Does It Cost to Own a Cat?

Cats have a reputation for being the cheap pet. Compared with a dog, they usually are, but “cheaper” still adds up to a lot over fifteen-plus years. I have a domestic shorthair kitten named Gray, so a plain, short-coated cat is the case I have in mind here. A long-haired cat or a pedigree breed can cost more, especially at the groomer.

Updated October 2026. Rover’s cat cost report is my main source. Its 2026 edition gives the headline totals, and its earlier edition (2023 figures) has the item-by-item prices, so I label which year each number comes from. Prices have gone up since 2023.

The 2026 headline numbers

For comparison, Rover’s 2026 figure for a medium-sized dog is $145 to $505 a month, so a cat costs roughly half as much per month. Rover also warns that pet costs could rise as much as 15% this year, mainly from vet fees and tariffs on supplies.

What it costs to get a cat

These are the item-level prices from Rover’s 2023 edition, so expect the real numbers to be somewhat higher now.

Rover’s 2023 total for the first year was $755 to $3,020. The huge top end comes from automatic litter boxes and premium gear. Plain, sturdy basics cost a fraction of that, and Rover is clear that cheaper gear doesn’t mean your cat gets less love or care. If you adopt a cat that’s already fixed and vaccinated, you can skip a big chunk of this table. My first-cat checklist covers what you actually need.

The yearly basics

Litter surprised me when I looked at the numbers. It can cost more than food at the high end, and Rover notes some cats are picky and will only use one kind. Wet food and premium brands push the food line up quickly.

Extras and surprises

Rover added these up to $1,170 to $3,605 and called them the costs most likely to catch owners off guard. CareCredit data reported by SpotPet backs up the dental number, putting the average professional cat cleaning at $430.

Senior years

Older cats cost a lot more. Rover’s 2026 estimate for a senior cat is $2,255 to $4,740 a year, because of special diets, medication, more vet visits and supplies. Rover’s 2023 edition also estimated end-of-life costs at $600 to $2,100. It’s unpleasant to plan for, but easier to cover if you’ve been setting money aside the whole time.

How to put your own number together

Start with food and litter, since those are your biggest regular costs. Add the yearly vet visit and a monthly amount for emergencies. The cat ownership cost calculator lets you plug in real prices. To protect against a big bill, read whether pet insurance is worth it and how to build an emergency fund. Compare with the dog cost guide if you’re still deciding between the two.

Sources

• Rover: The Cost of Cat Parenthood (2026 totals and 2023 item-level prices)
• Fox 2 Detroit: How much it costs to own a dog or cat in 2026 (Rover data)
• SpotPet: Guide to pet ownership costs (CareCredit data)

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