---
title: "Kitten First-Year Costs, Item by Item: ASPCA and PDSA Figures"
url: https://pawmultiverse.com/cost-of-a-kitten-first-year/
description: "The ASPCA puts a cat's first year at $1,904 (2021): spay or neuter $150, first vaccines $175, litter $150 a year, insurance $348. PDSA's 2024 UK figures are about £366 to get started plus £79 a month."
source: Paw Multiverse (https://pawmultiverse.com), free to cite with a link
---

# How Much Does a Kitten Cost in the First Year? Item by Item

Published by Paw Multiverse (A.I.T. Multiverse Consulting Ltd) · Last updated 7 November 2026

**Short answer.** The ASPCA's 2021 table puts a cat's first year at $1,904, then $1,149 a year. In the UK, PDSA's 2024 figures are about £366 to get started plus at least £79 a month. Neither includes buying or adopting the kitten, or vet bills for illness or injury. [Not veterinary advice](https://pawmultiverse.com/disclaimer/).

## ASPCA (US), item by item

One-time costs in the ASPCA's 2021 update:

| Item | Cat |
| --- | --- |
| Spay or neuter | $150 |
| First vaccines and medical | $175 |
| Collar | $15 |
| Litter box | $20 |
| Scratching post | $15 |
| Carrier | $40 |
| Microchip | $20 |
| Grooming tools | $20 |
| **One-time total** | **$455** |

Yearly costs:

| Item | Cat, per year |
| --- | --- |
| Food | $225 |
| Routine vet care | $160 |
| Flea and tick prevention | $140 |
| Litter | $150 |
| Toys | $22 |
| Treats | $36 |
| Health insurance | $348 |
| Licence | $15 |
| Grooming supplies | $28 |
| Boarding (one day) | $25 |
| **Yearly total** | **$1,149** |

The ASPCA's first-year total of $1,904 also includes dental care ($300). Source: [ASPCA, Cutting pet care costs (2021 update)](https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/general-pet-care/cutting-pet-care-costs).

## PDSA (UK)

PDSA puts the set-up cost at about £366, covering a bed, bowls, microchip, first vaccinations, neutering, a scratching post or cat tower, two litter trays with litter and scoops, toys, a brush and a carrier. It puts the monthly minimum at £79, covering yearly health checks and boosters, flea and worm treatment, insurance, food, toys and litter, and the lifetime minimum at £11,400 to £13,600. Source: [PDSA, The cost of owning a cat (2024 prices)](https://www.pdsa.org.uk/pet-help-and-advice/looking-after-your-pet/kittens-cats/the-cost-of-owning-a-cat).

## What these figures leave out

PDSA leaves out vet fees for illness or injury, buying or adopting the cat, cattery or cat-sitter costs, special diets, and replacing items that wear out. Source: [PDSA, The cost of owning a cat (2024 prices)](https://www.pdsa.org.uk/pet-help-and-advice/looking-after-your-pet/kittens-cats/the-cost-of-owning-a-cat). More: [annual cost of owning a cat](https://pawmultiverse.com/annual-cost-of-owning-a-cat/) and [pet cost calculator](https://pawmultiverse.com/pet-cost-calculator/).

## Sources

- [ASPCA, Cutting pet care costs (2021 update)](https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/general-pet-care/cutting-pet-care-costs), read 7 November 2026.
- [PDSA, The cost of owning a cat (2024 prices)](https://www.pdsa.org.uk/pet-help-and-advice/looking-after-your-pet/kittens-cats/the-cost-of-owning-a-cat), read 7 November 2026.

Sources last checked 7 November 2026. Spotted something out of date? [Tell us](https://pawmultiverse.com/contact/).

## Related pages

[New kitten: the first 30 days](https://pawmultiverse.com/new-kitten-first-30-days/), [kitten vaccinations](https://pawmultiverse.com/kitten-and-cat-vaccination-schedule-explained-what-shots-when-and-why-indoor-cats-still-need-them/), [annual cost of owning a cat](https://pawmultiverse.com/annual-cost-of-owning-a-cat/) and [everything for cat owners](https://pawmultiverse.com/cats/).

**Choosing a breed?** Size, lifespan, health problems and costs for 34 breeds: [dog and cat breed guides](https://pawmultiverse.com/dog-and-cat-breeds/).

**What does pet insurance cost?** Average premiums from NAPHIA and UK claims from the ABI: [how much does pet insurance cost?](https://pawmultiverse.com/how-much-does-pet-insurance-cost/)

**Spaying or neutering?** Published prices, the usual age and where to get help with the cost: [spay and neuter costs](https://pawmultiverse.com/cost-to-spay-or-neuter-a-dog-or-cat/)

**Already a vet history?** How insurers treat pre-existing conditions: [pre-existing conditions explained](https://pawmultiverse.com/pet-insurance-pre-existing-conditions/)

**New kitten in England?** The microchip law, age limit and fine: [cat microchipping law](https://pawmultiverse.com/cat-microchipping-law/)

**Is your pet's food on a recall list?** Check the barcode on the bag against five official registers in the US, UK, Canada and France. [Check your bag](https://pawmultiverse.com/check-your-bag/) · [Recalls this week](https://pawmultiverse.com/pet-food-recalls/this-week/)