
You can expect to pay $600 to $1,500 for a short stay. If your cat has a more serious problem, like fecal impaction, kidney failure, or another serious issue, your vet might recommend a longer stay of 3–5 days. These longer observation times usually start at around $1,500 and can get as high as $3,000 depending on the required care level.
Full Answer
How much does it cost to take care of a cat?
It will usually cost between $25–$35 per month to keep your cat covered. It can seem like a lot of money, but if your cat requires hospitalization, you will be glad you don’t have to pay out of pocket. In many cases, not being financially capable of paying for treatment can result in the death of your pet.
How much does it cost to keep your pet healthy?
Find out just how much it costs to keep your pet healthy. Most people know that when they get a dog or cat, a big part of the pet's expense will be routine veterinary care. On average, pet owners spend $235 per year in recurring medical costs for a dog and $160 for a cat, according to the ASPCA.
How much does it cost to euthanize a pet?
On average, pet owners spend $235 per year in recurring medical costs for a dog and $160 for a cat, according to the ASPCA. But if a pet becomes ill or has an accident, those expenses can skyrocket. Advances in veterinary medicine mean today there are options for pets well beyond simple euthanasia.
How much does it cost to take a dog to the vet?
Although regular veterinary care typically costs up to $100, there’s no denying that some treatments and procedures can require you to shell out $1,000 and above. In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about vet costs, so there are no surprises.

How much do you spend at the vet for a cat?
Lifetime ExpensesExpenseFirst Year CostFollowing Years CostPreventative medicines$20-$200$20-$200Routine vet care$100-$500$100-$300Emergency vet care/Pet insurance$0-$450$0-$800Cat sitters or boarding$100-$300$100-$30013 more rows•May 5, 2022
How much does it cost to treat cats?
Cat CostsItemAnnual Cat CostsSpay/Neuter$150 (average cost)Other initial medical5$150 (can be far more)Vaccinations$60Deworming$2022 more rows
How much should I save for vet bills?
Experts say your emergency fund should be at least $500 to start, with the ultimate goal of covering three to six months of living expenses if you should lose your income. If you have a pet, you'll want to save an additional $1,000 to $2,000.
How much does a check up at the vet cost?
between $50 to $250How much should a vet visit cost? A routine checkup can cost between $50 to $250, and most general veterinary care costs less than $500. Some unexpected health problems can cost many thousands of dollars to treat depending on the condition.
How expensive is a cat per month?
Monthly Cat Costs On average, plan to spend around $53 a month for most cat breeds, assuming no unexpected expenses come up. Recurring Medical Expenses – Flea and tick prevention, as well as checkups, can cost up to $200 per year.
How much should you spend to save a cat?
That's according to a new survey by LendEDU, which found that dog owners say they're willing to spend up to $10,725 to save their pets, while cat owners say they're only willing to spend up to $3,454.
How much does it cost to feed a cat per day?
On average, a single meal would cost us between A$1-1.50 per cat. That's a daily meal cost of A$2-3 per cat, based on two meals per day. There are many cheaper commercial canned and kibble foods available but we don't include these in our cats' diet.
Why are cats more affordable than dogs?
Over the course of their lifetimes, cats are generally more affordable than dogs. While buying a specific breed of cat can be expensive, generally, adoption fees are lower for kittens and cats than they are for puppies or dogs—particularly during kitten seasons or times when the shelter has a major influx of kittens.
How much does it cost to remove a cat's eye?
Unfortunately, no type of eye surgery is inexpensive. For example, it could cost up to $3,000 to remove cataracts and complete similar procedures. The average cost of less invasive and laborious eye surgeries is about $1,400.
How much does a geriatric checkup cost for cats?
Each geriatric checkup could cost between $75 and $200, depending on the specific services that you choose to include in your cat’s geriatric package.
What to check after a cat's question and answer?
After the question-and-answer period, your vet will complete a physical examination of your cat, checking their bones and muscles to ensure that no unseen injuries are present. They will also check how alert your cat is, the quality of your cat’s coat, and the condition of their teeth. Ear and nose discharge, eye cloudiness, ...
What to do if my cat has allergies?
Your veterinarian will have to test your cat for allergies to figure out exactly what is causing their allergic reactions. Once a cause is determined, they can figure out the best course of action to help your cat avoid or fight off the cause of their allergies.
Why do cats need teeth extracted?
One or more of your cat’s teeth may need to be extracted due to problems such as crowding, fractures, or an abnormal bite that affects their ability to eat food. Tooth decay and disease can also result in the need for an extraction.
How much does a blood test cost?
Diagnostic tests can include blood work ($75-$200), an X-ray ($150-$250), and an ultrasound ($300-$600). Overall, you could be looking at anywhere from $75 to $1,000 just for diagnostics alone. Image Credit: Vovantarakan, Shutterstock.
Is it free to take care of a cat in 2021?
Rachael Gerkensmeyer Last updated: May 12, 2021. Taking care of a cat is not free or easy. Cats require love, discipline, protection, and high-quality food to thrive. They also need to see the veterinarian regularly to ensure that their health stays strong throughout their life. It is easy to tabulate how much food, bedding, ...
How much did pet owners spend on vets in 2017?
Indeed, the American Pet Products Association estimates that pet owners will spend $16.6 billion on vet care in 2017, an increase from $15.9 billion in 2016. Spending can vary widely by state, as can be seen in this map:
Which states have the most expensive vets?
According to Petplan, about a dozen jurisdictions including California, Hawaii and Washington, D.C., are the most expensive for vet care, averaging more than $1,400 annually. North Dakota and Arkansas have average vet costs of $769 each and are tied in Petplan's ranking for the least expensive states. Around 1 percent of pet owners have insurance ...
How much does it cost to treat a dog's cruciate joint?
Treating common ailments such as cruciate joint injuries in dogs can cost around $3,480 while owners faced with a furry friend that swallowed something it wasn't supposed to can expect to spend an average of $1,755, according to Petplan, a provider of veterinary health insurance.
How much does a vet visit cost?
If you’re wondering how much a vet visit costs, the short answer is that it depends. Although regular veterinary care typically costs up to $100, there’s no denying that some treatments and procedures can require you to shell out $1,000 and above.
How much does it cost to get a cat diagnosed with diabetes?
For instance, upon learning that your cat has diabetes, a proper diagnosis by a reputable veterinary hospital might cost you up to $300.
How often should I see a vet for my dog?
Although dog and cat ownership entails grooming toys, food, and other supplies, a vet visit is required at least once per year. Furthermore, emergency visits to the veterinary clinic may crop up if your pet unexpectedly gets ill or injured, putting a strain on your budget.
What is a vet's annual physical exam?
During a recommended bi-annual or annual preventative care vet visit, depending on your pet’s age, your pet will undergo a thorough physical exam in which your veterinarian will assess their gums, coat, teeth, vision, skin, hearing, muscle, respiration, coat, and heart function.
How much does it cost to treat heartworms in dogs?
Similarly, if your dog has heartworms after a test is conducted, then treatment at the emergency department can cost anywhere between $400 and $1,000. Treatment at the emergency room can vary greatly, depending on the circumstances. It depends on the emergency surgery that the vet has to perform for treatment.
How much does a fecal exam cost?
Fecal exams are done during your pet’s wellness exam and can cost anywhere between $25 and $45. A quick budget note: depending on your pet's medical condition and age, you may need to pay for additional veterinary care (like this test and others) at the annual vet visit.
How much does allergy testing cost?
It can be conducted with blood testing or an intradermal skin test, after which veterinary medicine can be administered. Allergy testing usually costs $195 to $250, and blood tests range from $200 to $350.
How much does a pet owner spend on a dog?
Most people know that when they get a dog or cat, a big part of the pet's expense will be routine veterinary care. On average, pet owners spend $235 per year in recurring medical costs for a dog and $160 for a cat, according to the ASPCA. But if a pet becomes ill or has an accident, those expenses can skyrocket.
How much did Nationwide spend on pet insurance in 2016?
Nationwide insurance company's pet insurance policyholders spent more than $81 million in 2016 to treat the 10 most common medical conditions affecting their pets.
What does Serpell say about euthanizing a dying pet?
Serpell says when people ask about the right time to euthanize a dying pet, he always quotes a friend who says, "There is no right time; there's only too soon or too late. And of the two, too soon is preferable, because if you are too late you've let that animal suffer.".
Is your cat suffering because you are broke or have poor money management skills?
Who’s paying for that when helping with TNR? (Usually, the person feeding the cats pays – but I pay when the feeder is unknown, or the cats are in my yard)
My money and cats story
Let’s go back to 2009. We had only two cats then – Lina and Kilala, who we adopted in 2003. My husband and I had a small amount in savings, but most months we were spending all of the money we earned and more.
What can you do to have money for the vet?
Disclaimer: I am not a financial adviser and can’t guarantee what I’ve done, or my suggestions will work for you. The point of this post is to encourage you to learn more about money and finances so that you have cash when your cat needs care.
Summary
It’s not your cat’s fault that you don’t have money to pay for its care.
What did the vet do 150 years ago?
The American vet of 150 years ago was more of a mechanic than a physician. He focused solely on economically valuable creatures like cows and horses, administering strong laxatives or cauterizing open wounds with a red-hot iron so that these animals could continue to produce milk and pull freight.
Why did vets turn to pets?
But as livestock disappeared from cities at the turn of the 20 th century, vets turned to pets to save their profession. Cats and dogs had begun to move indoors; owners were springing for pet food and fancy toys, and they sought out doctors who would treat their pets like any other member of the household.
