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Budgeting for Your Kitten's First Year

Budgeting for the Cost of Your New Kitten

Welcoming a new kitten into your home is an exciting experience. From the first moment they bounce around your living room with glee to the first time they look at you contentedly from their new window perch, it's a true joy to get to witness all your kitten’s firsts.

But along with the fun of firsts is the daily responsibility of taking care of your cat throughout their life and the financial responsibility of ensuring they have everything they need to best support their overall health and wellness.

Setting up your kitten’s new home space before they arrive can help make introducing them to your home as low-stress as possible for you both. And preparing for the finances of the year ahead can help you feel ready to provide them with the proper care so you can focus on building your bond once they arrive home.

To get started, we’ll look at the basic costs of your kitten’s first year.

While the information below provides a guide to what your kitten’s first year might cost, keep in mind that many things can affect the price of products and services, such as your geographic location, your kitten’s size and breed, their unique health needs and more. Most costs exist within a range, and you can determine just how much you want to spend on many products based on your budget and your kitten’s preferences.

New kitten costs: quick reference guide

How much do a kitten’s first shots cost?

You can expect to pay around $75 to $125 on your cat’s first round of shots. This includes the FVRCP and FELV vaccines, roundworm and hook worm dewormer and rabies shots. This cost will vary greatly depending on where you live and where you go to get these crucial vaccinations.

How much does a kitten exam & vet visit cost?

The cost of a regular wellness exam at your veterinarian’s ranges from $50 to $150 depending on your location. The breed of your cat and their age may factor in slightly to this cost. For specific costs of wellness exams in your area, find your nearest Vetco Total Care location.

What is the average cost for a kitten’s first year?

From adoption to the end of their first year, you can expect to spend $1,331 to $3,347 on your new kitten according to a study by synchrony. This includes $300 to $750 in fees before even bringing your kitten home, $75 to $125 on initial vaccines, $351 to $584 on food and $235 to $937 on other various expenses.

Costs of veterinary care for your kitten’s first year

An initial cost to consider when budgeting for your kitten’s first year is the cost associated with veterinary care. Veterinary care will play a vital role throughout your cat’s life, which is why it's essential to find a vet as soon as you plan to welcome a new kitten into your home. Building a relationship with a trusted vet can help you set up your kitten for a healthy first year—and the rest of their life.

What can you expect for veterinary costs in your kitten’s first year? We’ve broken it down into a few key categories to help you create a well-rounded budget.

Wellness exam ˇ

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One of the first things you’ll want to do once you’ve welcomed a new kitten into your life is to take them to the vet for a routine wellness exam. This exam helps establish their health profile and will help your vet identify any potential issues. If you have any other cats or pets living in your home, bringing your kitten to the vet (or ensuring they have had a clean bill of health from a vet before you bring them home) is ideal before any in-home introductions. This can help prevent the spread of any communicable diseases or pests. Routine exams typically cost between $50-$150.

Kitten vaccines ˇ

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During the first year of your kitten’s life, they will need a routine set of vaccines administered. Rabies vaccinations are at the top of the list and are required by law in most areas of the country. There are also other vaccines for your kitten, including feline distemper, FeLV (this protects cats against the feline leukemia virus), FIV (feline immunodeficiency virus), parvovirus (panleukopenia), herpes simplex virus type1 (viral rhinotracheitis) and calicivirus. You will want to consult with your veterinarian to see what vaccines and timeline is ideal for your kitten. For the first year’s vaccines, you can expect to pay about $300 total (depending on your kitten’s age and where you vaccinate them), with annual boosters following at often lower prices.

Spaying/neutering ˇ

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Spaying or neutering your kitten supports their health and helps reduce the load on overburdened shelters, which in turn helps prevent unnecessary euthanasia from unplanned litters. Spaying (for female kittens) typically costs more than neutering (for male kittens) because the surgery is more invasive. Costs can range from as low as $150 at an animal shelter or low-cost clinic to $500+ (for spaying) at a private veterinarian’s office. Prices also vary from state to state.

Microchipping ˇ

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Microchips are the size of a grain of rice and contain your contact information. If your kitten is lost and winds up at a shelter or veterinarian’s office with scanning equipment, they can scan your pet and contact you, reuniting you with your lost companion. Microchips cost between $30 and $100 and must be implanted by a veterinarian during a spay/neuter, an office visit or at a clinic.

Costs of new kitten supplies

Before you bring your kitten home, it's important to create a welcoming, comfortable environment so they can feel safe and like part of the family from their first night home.

The following categories can help you budget for the cost of common new kitten supplies:

Feeding supplies ˇ

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Nutrition is foundational to your kitten’s overall health. The right food for your kitten will depend on their age, nutritional needs and individual health factors. You can work with your vet to determine the right food for your kitten’s first year, and you can use our food finder to explore options. What might you expect to spend on feeding your kitten during their first year? The following estimates can help you build a budget for food-related supplies: Having a dedicated food bowl makes it easy to keep your kitten used to a daily feeding routine. Depending on the style and brand, a food bowl can range anywhere from $6–$35. Keeping your kitten hydrated is essential; water dishes can cost anywhere from $6–$35. Alternatively, because some cats tend not to drink enough water, you can upgrade your kitten to a water fountain. Kittens like the moving water, and a fountain can encourage them to drink more by providing a continuous supply of fresh water. Cat water fountains range in price from $35 to up to $125. A kitten can eat as much as an ounce of wet food per pound of body weight twice a day, or  ½–1 cup of dry food per day (be sure to check the feeding guidelines on your pet’s food for exact amounts they should be eating per meal). As your kitten grows, you will want to increase the amount of food they get. Consulting your veterinarian about how much cat food your pet should eat is an essential part of taking care of a kitten. Food costs can vary greatly, depending on what you decide to feed your cat, but expect to pay anywhere from $0.70 for a small can of wet food to $80 for a large bag of specialty dry food. Rewarding your kitten with treats is a great way to build a lasting bond. An average pack of treats will cost about $3–10, but prices can range from around $1 for a single purée to $40 for a large variety pack of treats.

At-home supplies ˇ

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A comfortable home environment can help your new kitten relax, de-stress and feel welcome in their new home. This can be especially important during your first few days together as you both adjust to the newness. Plan to purchase the following important home supplies before bringing your kitten home: A comfortable bed allows your kitten to snooze in peace and gives them a space they can call their own; place it in a low-traffic area to help them feel safe. You can expect to pay anywhere from $10–$50, depending on the style of bed you choose. Litter prices average less than $10 for an 8-pound bag, but many different kinds of litter are available. The type you choose will play a significant role in the cost, and it may take some trial and error to find the litter your cat likes best. Along with litter, you’ll need to purchase at least two litter boxes for your kitten in a single cat household. A simple litter box will likely cost $15–$40, depending on the style, while self-cleaning litter boxes can be hundreds of dollars. During the first year of your kitten’s life, accidents and messes are sure to occur—it’s all part of your kitten growing up! Make sure to have ample cleaning supplies on hand, such as sprays and wipes. You can expect to spend $12–$50 per product, or approximately $75–$125 a year.

Safety supplies ˇ

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Keeping your kitten safe is important, even if they are an indoor-only cat—cats can be expert escape artists! Make sure to purchase the following safety supplies: An ID tag typically costs $9–$22 and allows you to keep your contact info and your kitten’s name handy if they get out of the house and are found by someone else. A collar or harness typically costs $6–$15 and gives you a place to clip your kitten’s ID tag. Additionally, harnesses are key if you decide you want to leash-train your kitten.

Exercise and play supplies ˇ

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The right exercise and play supplies will support your kitten bonding with you, which helps promote their social health, and keeping your kitten active contributes to their physical and mental health so you can enjoy more years together. Plan to stock your home with the following supplies: When you first welcome your kitten home, be sure to have a few cat toys already on hand, and as you get to know them, consider purchasing a few different kinds of toys to learn more about their play preferences. Cat toys can range anywhere from $1 to more than $20. A cat perch or tree can give your kitten the ability to escape daily life and get away from any stressors. Perches and cat trees cost $50–$150+. Scratching helps cats keep their nails healthy and is a part of their grooming routine. Giving your kitten an appropriate place to scratch can help save them from scratching something they shouldn’t. A scratching post costs around $25–$50.

Grooming supplies ˇ

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While cats can do most of their own grooming, it’s a good idea to get your kitten accustomed to a brush early in life. This can help reduce the amount of hair they ingest each day, which can help prevent matting in long-haired cats and reduce the occurrence of hair balls, as well as the amount of cat hair shed throughout your house. And as your cat gets older, they might need a little help with grooming. Grooming brushes for cats range between $5 and $10.

Miscellaneous supplies

Pest prevention ˇ

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While you may only think about pest prevention during peak seasons, it’s important to keep your pet protected year-round to reduce the possibility of a home infestation, allergic reaction and severe issues, like flea anemia. Flea & tick preventive methods typically cost around $40–50 per pack; how long they last depends on the form (collar, topical or chew) you purchase.

Pet insurance ˇ

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Purchasing pet insurance is a great way to prepare for your kitten’s first year and the years ahead. Insurance can help cut down on the amount you spend out of pocket during medical emergencies. Insurance costs will vary based on your kitten’s breed and your deductible, and you'll need to get a specific quote for your pet, but some general estimates include: Mixed Breed: $32 per month Domestic Shorthair: $34 per month American Shorthair: $34 per month Siamese: $36 per month Maine Coon: $38 per month These are the average prices for an accident and illness plan for a 3-year-old cat with a $250 deductible and 90% reimbursement. If you choose a higher deductible, you will pay less for pet insurance per month. If you choose a lower reimbursement rate, you will pay less each month for a policy because the plan will pay less when you claim.

Emergency fund ˇ

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In addition to up-front costs, it can be helpful to put away some money in an emergency fund for your kitten. A general recommendation is to have $2,000 on hand, especially if your kitten does not have insurance.

Money-saving tips for your cat’s first year

Welcoming your new kitten home should be exciting, and finances shouldn’t be the dark cloud hanging over your head. While kittens do translate to dollars spent, there are numerous ways you can make your cat’s first year more affordable.

Use these tips to help ease the burden on your wallet:

  • Take advantage of sales to stock up on nonperishable and frequently used items when you can
  • Ask about store savings opportunities! For example, Vital Care gives rewards when you shop at Petco, and some credit cards will give you a percentage back on pet purchases
  • Consider the additional savings available through programs like curbside pickup and Repeat Delivery on items you’ll need regularly. Not only can this save you money, but it can also save you time!

Welcoming a cat into your life is an exciting experience that lasts a lifetime and being prepared for cat parenthood will help you feel equipped for the journey ahead. Then, all that’s left to do is focus on getting to know your new kitten and enjoying all your firsts together.

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