Cost of Cat Care

According to the Ontario Veterinary Medical Association, the Canadian average annual cost of caring for a cat in 2023 was $2,542.

Basic Annual Costs

Medical: $150-200 annual wellness exam with vaccines**
Food: $450-600+
Litter: $150-250
Toys: $60-100
License: $20
Total $830-$1170 **kittens may require extra booster vaccines

Start-up Costs

If it’s your first time adopting a cat (or two!) consider these extra costs:

Furniture: $200 (cat tree, scratching posts & beds)
Dishes, grooming & litter supplies: $100
Cat carrier: $50
Total $350

Occasional Costs

Dental: $800-3,000
Fecal exam: $50
Flea & worm treatment: $85
Urgent medical care: $500-2000+

Other Optional Costs

Insurance: $300-600 (depending on plan/provider). Considering insurance? Check out these Questions to Ask Insurance Providers.
Cat-sitter: $10-30+ day
Grooming: $50+
Spay/Neuter from vet: $600-1,000; Humane Societies/OSPCA: $60-375

Spay & Neuter Options

Spaying and neutering your pets is important to keep the population of cats down, and also for their overall health:

Female spayed cats are less likely to develop mammary and ovarian-related cancers and infections. Spaying before their first heat cycle is best.
Neutered male cats are less likely to develop testicular cancer and other health issues. They are also less territorial and less likely to spray to assert their territory.

The Toronto Humane Society offers reduced-cost options for pet owners for vaccinations, sterilization (spay/neuter) and other surgical services. If you are on social assistance, additional discounts are available. The City of Toronto’s Animal Services also supports a Spay Neuter Your Pet (SNYP) mobile clinic to dog and cat owners in low-income households.

Need Help?

If you are struggling to afford other care or basic provisions, there are several organizations that can help:

The Farley Foundation was established to support people in financial hardship who want to keep their cats. Owners should speak to their veterinarian about available funding.
The Toronto Humane Society and Pantry Four Paws in Hamilton have food banks that provide pet food to owners in need. Occasionally, the Daily Bread Food Bank may have pet food available: 416-203-0050.
If you need to surrender your cat, contact the Toronto Humane Society or the Humane Society of Durham Region. Under certain conditions, AVA can arrange to take your cat and ensure it finds a good home. Contact us with the details about your cat and your situation or complete our online surrender application.