How much does a cat cost?

Kittens cost their new owners between $1656 to $2600 in the first year, according to the RSPCA. While the average cost to buy a cat in Australia is $419, according to Animal Medicines Australia, it is likely that many kittens cost owners a lot less given around half of Australian cat owners (47%) actually adopted their cat for free.

The cost to adopt a kitten will also vary depending on the breed and age of the cat, as well as whether you buy your feline from a breeder or adopt it from a rescue shelter. A mixed-breed kitten such as a domestic shorthair – affectionately known as moggies, the most common cats in Australian homes – will generally cost less than a purebred or designer kitten such as a ragdoll or British shorthair, and the cost of a kitten adopted from a rescue shelter is usually lower than buying from a breeder.

Cat ownership is generally more expensive in the first year due to one-off costs like adoption fees (if applicable), microchipping and de-sexing. Vaccination and council registrations fees may also be higher in the first year than in subsequent years. First-time cat owners will also have to buy their new kitten products such as food and water bowls, litter boxes and scratching posts.

Australian cat owners spend an average of $1,656 on their cats each year, according to Animal Medicines Australia, with Aussies spending a total of $5.9 billion annually on our feline friends. Food is the single largest expense for Aussie cat owners, at an average of $884 a year, followed by vet services and flea, worming and tick treatments.

Australian cats live on average 12 to 16 years, meaning that over its lifetime a pet cat will cost its Aussie owners between $20,000 and $27,000 in everyday expenses. Major veterinary treatments or emergency care could potentially add thousands more, particularly without appropriate pet insurance.

Below are the average annual amounts Aussie cat owners are spending on a range of different categories. Keep in mind they are averages only, and some cat owners may spend a lot more or less on specific items. How much you’ll need to spend on your own cat will depend on a range of factors, including your cat’s breed and age.

Average annual expenses for cat owners

Microchipping for cats generally costs $60, according to the RSPCA. Microchipping is legally required for cats in every Australian state except the Northern Territory, where it’s only required in Darwin. Microchipping is also generally a requirement to register your cat with your local council. Some pet insurance policies may help contribute to the once-off microchipping cost if you a routine care option added to your policy.

Microchipping helps identify your beloved pet if it goes missing. The chip is linked to a database that contains the pet owner’s details, which can be scanned by veterinarians or authorities to help reunite you with your lost cat.

It is a legal requirement to register your cat in most parts of Australia, but the cost can vary significantly between councils, with costs ranging from around $23 for a desexed cat to over $200 for one that isn’t desexed, according to the RSPCA. Most councils will require your cat to be microchipped before you register it with them and the cost to register a desexed cat is usually much lower.

Requirements and fees will depend on where you live, with each council having different rules about when to register your cat.

Some councils may also have specific rules around keeping your cat inside because outdoor cats can be a nuisance, with many urban councils introducing ‘cat curfews’ to protect native wildlife. For example, Brisbane City Council does not require cats to be registered, but nearby Logan City and Redland City Councils both require cats to be registered by 12 weeks of age.

Flea and worming treatment for your cat can cost around $200–250 each year, according to the RSPCA. Most vets recommend yearly check-ups to ensure your furry friend is up to date with their vaccines, worming treatments and flea checks. On the flip side, adopted pets may have their first round of vaccines included with their adoption fee.

Initial kitten vaccinations can cost around $280, lowering after that first round of jabs to $140–160 annually, according to the RSPCA. Within the last 12 months, 66% of cats in Australia received a vaccination. Some pet insurance policies may cover some of these preventative costs if you have a routine care add-on to your policy. This type of cover may also help pay for general health checks, worming, dental care and more, so check the Product Disclosure Statement to see exactly what’s covered.

Cats are legally required to be de-sexed in South Australia, the Australian Capital Territory, Tasmania and Western Australia. While it isn’t mandatory in other states, it may still be required by local councils in other states. According to the RSPCA, de-sexing a cat (male or female) generally costs between $225 and $400. Spaying a female cat is typically more expensive than neutering a male cat because the procedure is more complex.

Even if it is not mandatory where you live, vets will usually recommend de-sexing your cat as not only will it prevent unwanted litters, but it can also provide behavioural benefits.

One of the perks of adopting or rescuing a cat is that they’re typically already de-sexed by the shelter, and this cost is usually included in the adoption fee along with microchipping.

Comprehensive cat insurance for a 2-year-old moggy or domestic shorthair is $46.93 a month on average, according to Compare the Market’s range in August 2026.¹ Pet insurance for your cat can help cover a portion of your veterinary care costs, as well as a variety of other vet treatments and pet-related expenses.

The cost of pet insurance for your cat will vary depending on your cat’s age and health status and the level of cover you choose. Taking out pet insurance while your cat is still a kitten can help keep the cost down, as you’ll likely have cover in place before any conditions pop up that would otherwise be considered pre-existing.

Your cat’s breed can also impact the price you’ll pay, with designer or pure-breed cats generally more expensive to insure. The average comprehensive insurance premium in August 2026 for a 6-year-old Burmese was $87.05 a month.²

Pet insurance can be well worth considering for your cat, particularly if you’d struggle to pay an unexpected vet bill. Depending on the type of pet insurance you choose, it can help cover accidental injuries, a range of illnesses and preventative care options. Pet insurance could potentially save you thousands of dollars if your cat develops a serious health condition or needs emergency medical care.

Our pet insurance comparison service compares a range of pet insurance policies online all at once. Within minutes, you can get an insurance quote for your cat and see what features are on offer from a range of different brands.

Pet insurance policies vary depending on the insurance company, so always read the Product Disclosure Statement and Target Market Determination to know exactly what you are and aren’t covered for, and whether the product is suitable for you.

Aussie cat owners are spending $884 a year on food, according to Animal Medicines Australia, while kitty litter can easily add up to $500 a year, according to the RSPCA. Other optional costs include cat carriers, cat toys, loungers and cat beds.

Because food and litter will make up the bulk of your ongoing costs, it’s also where savings opportunities lie. You may opt for dry cat food as it’s generally cheaper than canned or wet food, and it can be much cheaper to buy both food and kitty litter in bulk.

When it comes to bedding and toys, you may be able to skip these costs altogether! Most cats are happy sleeping anywhere cosy, such as your bed or a towel (or sometimes in unusual places!) and playing with anything that moves or rolls, so expensive toys are often unnecessary or may even go to waste.