Cats have a reputation for being cheaper to keep than dogs, and there is a good deal of truth in that — they are smaller, require no daily walks and no clipping. Even so, the annual cost of keeping a cat can be surprising, especially once you add in litter, good-quality food and regular vet visits. Let's see how much a cat really costs in 2026.
Fixed spending categories
- Food — dry and wet, ideally good quality for kidney health
- Litter — a steady, monthly expense that dogs do not have
- Veterinary care — vaccinations, deworming, prevention
- Accessories — scratching post, carrier, toys, bowls
- Health reserve — for treatment and emergencies
Sample annual budget for an indoor cat
- Food (mixed dry and wet): about 180 zł per month × 12 = 2160 zł
- Litter: about 60 zł per month × 12 = 720 zł
- Veterinary prevention: 600 zł
- Accessories and replacing the scratching post, toys: 300 zł
- Reserve for treatment: 800 zł
- Annual total: about 4580 zł, that is about 382 zł per month
The budget can be lowered by buying litter and food in bulk packs. On the other hand, veterinary or therapeutic food for a cat with kidney or urinary tract problems can raise the monthly cost considerably.
Initial costs
At the start there are one-off expenses on top: microchipping, neutering or spaying, the first set of accessories (scratching post, carrier, litter tray). Together it is easy to exceed 1000–1500 zł in the first year.
Outdoor cat versus indoor cat
An outdoor cat generates higher prevention costs — more frequent deworming, tick protection and a greater risk of injuries requiring treatment. A strictly indoor cat is cheaper and statistically lives longer.
How to plan the budget sensibly
- Set aside a fixed amount each month for a health reserve
- Do not skimp on food quality — kidney disease is more expensive to treat
- Compare prices per kilogram of litter, not per pack
Note: the amounts are approximate and vary depending on the region and the cat's health. This is not veterinary advice — for chronic conditions, set the costs together with a veterinarian.
Check your cat's age and life stage: Cat age calculator →