The cost of owning a cat

Cats are one of the UK’s favourite pets, bringing joy to millions of homes. As of the latest data, there are approximately 10.6million pet cats in the UK, with one in four households (25%) owning a cat. While our furry friends are priceless in terms of love and companionship, they do come with ongoing financial responsibilities. From pet food to vet care, the cost of owning a cat can quickly add up. 

If you’re thinking of adding a cat to your family, here’s a look at some of the key expenses you’ll want to include in your budget. And for a quick breakdown of costs, see our ‘average annual cost of owning a cat’ checklist at the bottom of this guide. 

One-off ‘set-up’ expenses

Expenses can be roughly divided into one-off costs for getting yourself setup and ongoing, or annual, costs. Here’s a look at some of the upfront costs you can expect to incur when you first get your new family member.

• Buying or adopting a cat: Free - £1,000+

According to Cats Protection, over a third (34%) of cats are bought, while just under one in four (24%) are adopted from a UK rehoming charity. When it comes to finding a cat, many people turn to social media. The latest stats show 20% of cats bought were found on Facebook. Gumtree is another popular site for finding new pets in need of a home. While convenient, prices can vary greatly, and some organisations such as the PDSA caution against buying pets from classified advertisement websites. 

When it comes to getting a cat from a rehoming charity, you’ll typically pay an adoption fee. These fees often cover initial health checks, vaccinations, microchipping, and sometimes neutering. Adoption fees can vary depending on where you adopt, with rehoming centres like Cats Protection or the RSPCA typically charging between £50 and £150. 

Adopting from private sellers or breeders can cost significantly more, especially for pedigree breeds, with prices ranging from £200 to over £1,000.

• Spaying or neutering costs: £40 - £150

Latest figures show over 1 in 10 people (13%) have avoided having their cat neutered because of the cost. However, neutering a male cat (also known as castration) is vital to prevent unwanted kittens and has several health benefits for your pet too. The average cost to neuter a cat is about £40 - £80. Many rehoming centres include neutering in their adoption fee, which can save money. 

Meanwhile, spaying a female cat (a surgical procedure that involves removing her reproductive organs) typically costs a bit more: between £50 and £150. Again, this can have several health and behavioural benefits for your cat. So, while the cost may seem off-putting, it’s an expense worth considering in order to give your animal it’s happiest, healthiest life.

• Accessories: £5 - £60

There are some upfront bits of cat kit that are necessary to keep your pet happy and comfortable. Common items include:

• Food and water bowls: £5 - £20 each
• Litter trays: £10 - £30
• Scratching posts: £15 - £50
• Cat climbing trees: £20 - £100
• Beds and blankets: £10 - £60
• Leads and collars (if needed): £8 - £20
• Gifts and toys: £5 - £10 per toy

Annual expenses

Owning a cat comes with certain ongoing costs, including essentials like food and litter to bigger expenses like vet bills, insurance, and regular check-ups. Here are some of the most common to put in your budget.

• The cost of cat insurance: From £7.80 per month/£93.61 per year

Once you’ve decided to get a cat, one of the first things you’ll want to consider is cat insurance. This is essential to cover any unexpected vet bills. The average monthly cost to insure a cat in the UK with Agria starts at £7.80 for a monthly lifetime cat policy, and £93.61 for an annual lifetime cat policy*. Things that can affect the cost of cat insurance include a cat’s age, breed, and health. 

Without insurance, you could face significant out-of-pocket costs for accidents or illnesses. For example, our guide to the most expensive cat insurance claims shows some costs can run into the thousands of pounds. Even relatively common conditions, can cost hundreds of pounds in vets bills.

*Based on all new Agria Home Cat Lifetime Insurance between Nov 2023 and May 2024.

Essential medical costs

Keeping your cat healthy involves regular medical expenses, including preventative healthcare such as vaccinations, flea and worm treatments. These costs ensure your feline friend stays protected and lives a happy, healthy life.

• Vaccination costs: £50 - £60 per year

Vaccinations are really important for protecting your cat against diseases like feline leukaemia and cat flu. As with many of the expenses in this guide, costs can vary from vet to vet. However, an initial course of vaccinations typically costs between £50 and £80. After that, your cat will need annual boosters which can set you back another £30 - £60 per year. 

• Worming and flea treatments: £5 - £20 per dose

Regular worming and flea treatments are another key medical cost, as these protect your cat from parasites which can cause a range of illnesses. This is especially important if you’ve got an outdoor cat.

Worming treatments typically cost in the region of £5 - £15 per dose and are recommended every 1 – 3 months. Flea treatments, such as spot-on solutions or oral tablets, may cost in the region of £5 - £20 per dose and should be applied monthly. Some vets and pet stores offer subscription services, bundling treatments for convenience and saving money.

For tips and advice on worming your cat, read our guide.

• Cat food costs: £10 – £60 per month

When getting a pet, food is probably at the top of many people’s list of costs. And it’s true, feeding your cat a balanced diet is a significant recurring expense, especially at a time of high living costs. In fact, latest figures show 3% of cat owners have had to rely on food banks to feed their cat in the past year.

How much you spend depends on the brand and type of food you buy (dry, wet, or raw). Budget brands cost around £10 - £15 per month (£120 - £180 annually), while premium options can reach £40 - £60 monthly (£480 - £720 annually). As a rough estimate, treats and supplements can add an extra £5 - £10 per month (or £60 - £120 per year).

For information on pet nutrition and diet, read our guide. 

• Pet sitting or cattery costs: £70 - £210 per week

Whether it’s a weekend away for two, an overnight work trip, or a fortnight family holiday, sooner or later even the most dedicated cat parent will need a break. And while cats are typically more independent than dogs, they still need daily care and attention, including feeding, litter tray cleaning, and social interaction. 

If available, the most economical option is to get a trusted friend or neighbour to look after your cat while you’re gone. However, this might not always be possible. In this instance, you’ll want a pet-sitting service or a cattery for overnight stays.

As a rough guide, a pet sitting service may cost between £10 - £25 per hour. Meanwhile, boarding at a cattery typically costs around £15 - £30 per night. For a one-week holiday, this means you’re looking at about £70 - £210, depending on which service you choose.

• Grooming costs: £5 - £120+ depending on DIY or professional grooming

Most cats groom themselves, but long-haired breeds may need extra help. For DIY grooming, cat brushes and combs cost around £5 - £20. Meanwhile, professional grooming services, though less commonly used, cost between £30 and £120+ per session. A typical routine might include brushing, bathing, ear cleaning, nail trimming and teeth cleaning.

• Annual vet check-ups: £30 - £60

Annual health checks from the vet are an important part of making sure your cat remains happy and healthy. Vets can help spot any potential issues early and ensure your pet is up-to-date on its vaccinations and parasite prevention. During the check-up, the vet will typically perform a physical examination, check your pet’s weight, the condition of its coat, and dental health. 

Costs vary greatly across the UK. However, an annual check-up typically ranges from £30 to £60, though additional tests or treatments may increase the overall price. 

The average annual cost of owning a cat

Here’s a breakdown of the typical costs you can expect to pay per year:

• Cat insurance: Starting at £7.80 per month / £93.61 per year for lifetime policies*, depending on age, breed, and health.
• Vaccinations: Annual boosters £30 – £60.
• Worming treatments: £5 – £15 per dose, recommended every three months (£20 – £60 annually).
• Flea treatments: £5 – £20 per dose, applied monthly (£60 – £240 annually).
• Spaying or neutering: £40 – £80 for males; £50 – £150 for females.
• Cat food: £120 – £180 annually for budget brands; £480 – £720 for premium options. Treats add £60 – £120 per year.
• Pet sitting or cattery costs: £70 – £210 for a one-week holiday.
• Toys and gifts: £5 – £10 per toy for occasions such as birthdays and Christmas.
• Grooming: Brushes/combs £10 – £20; professional grooming (if needed) £30 – £120 per session.
• Routine vet check-ups: £30 – £60 annually.

**Based on all new Agria Home Cat Lifetime Insurance between Nov 2023 and May 2024.

Estimated annual cost:

• Budget-conscious cat owners: £478.61
• Premium care and services: £1,843

Remember, these figures are only a rough guide and costs can vary significantly. However, even conservative estimates still place the cost of owning a cat in the hundreds of pounds annually, showing how important it is to plan your budget, ensuring your feline friend leads a happy, healthy life.