How much does a cat cost?

The purchase price is only the beginning. Start with the biggest recurring line, food: estimate your cat's real food budget per week, month and year.

Work out your food budget

Cat's weight9.9 lb (4.5 kg)

Type of food

Price of the food$ / lb

Estimated monthly budget

$14

$3.15 / week$164 / year

≈ 2.4 oz (68 g) per day

A ballpark figure, food only, using the same arithmetic as our portion tool (resting energy requirement × 1.2, a neutered adult). Real needs vary with age, activity level and body condition. Ask your veterinarian for advice.

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How this budget is calculated

We start from a need of about 25 kcal per pound (55 per kilo) per day for an average adult cat, then convert to ounces and grams using the typical energy density of the diet you picked (kibble is far more concentrated than wet food). The cost then depends on the price per pound (or per kilo) you enter.

This is a deliberately cautious estimate, for food only. Real needs vary with age, activity, spaying or neutering and health. For a precise portion plan, always ask your vet.