How much does a kitten cost the first year?
About $1,904 for the first year
The ASPCA's 2021 table totals $1,904 for a cat's first year, and first-year vet bills typically total $400–$1,800 in owner reports.
Last updated: October 2026 · US prices · 2 sources · see sources
The breakdown
| Item | Typical US price |
|---|---|
| First-year total | $1,904 [1] |
| One-time costs | $455 [1] |
| Annual costs (food, litter, vet, insurance...) | $1,149 [1] |
| Kitten First Year Vets: typical owner bill | $400–$1,800 total [2] |
Figures come from the sources below and each measures something slightly different (published prices, owner bills or planning budgets). Your vet's or provider's estimate is what counts.
It depends on
- Adoption fee
- Spay/neuter and kitten vaccines
- Litter box, carrier and scratching posts
- Whether you buy insurance
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Costs near you and by breed
Common questions
How much does a kitten cost the first year?
About $1,904 for the first year. The ASPCA's 2021 table totals $1,904 for a cat's first year, and first-year vet bills typically total $400–$1,800 in owner reports.
What affects how much a kitten cost the first year?
It depends on: adoption fee; spay/neuter and kitten vaccines; litter box, carrier and scratching posts; whether you buy insurance.
What is the typical price for: First-year total?
$1,904.
What is the typical price for: One-time costs?
$455.
What is the typical price for: Annual costs (food, litter, vet, insurance...)?
$1,149.
Sources (2) — tap to show
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