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Cats require our love, care, an enriched environment to express their natural behaviors, and high-quality food to thrive. They also need to see the veterinarian regularly to ensure their health stays strong throughout their life. It is easy to tabulate how much food, bedding, and toys will cost you as time goes on. But how much will it cost to get your cat preventative veterinary care or any treatment they may require in the coming years? Here is everything you need to know about the average cost of a vet visit for cats this year, which can be somewhere between $40 and $150 during regular working hours, depending on the reason for the visit. This does not include any extra procedures or a visit outside of normal working hours, and they will be more costly than the cost of a general checkup.
How Much Is a Vet Visit for a Cat?
There is no way to know precisely how much a visit to the vet with your cat will cost because it depends on many things, including the reason for the visit, the types of tests that may be done, and how long the visit takes overall. It also depends on where you live and what type of animal care facility you decide to visit.
A basic checkup, sometimes referred to as a wellness exam, typically consists of an oral “interview,” where your vet will ask questions about things like how well your cat is eating and drinking, the amount of exercise that they get daily, their litter box habits, whether they have been in any catfights or accidents recently, and their overall behavior, alongside any particular concerns.
After the question-and-answer period, your vet will complete a physical examination of your cat, examining their mouth and teeth, having a look at their eyes and ears, and evaluating their whole body. They will also listen to their heart and lungs, feel their abdomen and limbs for any abnormalities, record their weight, and take their temperature.
A basic checkup can cost anywhere between $40 and $150, depending on where you live. You may need to see a veterinarian for reasons other than just a checkup, in which case, the cost of seeing the veterinarian may differ significantly. Here is an approximate chart of a few service examples and the average cost per region.
Average Vet Costs by Region
| Procedure | Northeast | Southeast | Midwest | Southwest | West Coast |
| Office Visit | $76.95 | $67.95 | $57.95 | $67.95 | $84.95 |
| Rabies Shot | $28.75 | $27.05 | $24.84 | $27.05 | $30.19 |
| Professional Teeth Cleaning | $432.95 | $394.95 | $346.95 | $394.95 | $465.95 |
| Neuter package (6+ months) | $519.95 | $488.95 | $448.95 | $488.95 | $544.95 |
| Neuter package (less than 6 months) | $445.95 | $418.95 | $384.95 | $418.95 | $467.95 |
| Spay package (6+ months/over 50 lbs) | $626.95 | $589.95 | $541.95 | $589.95 | $658.95 |
| Spay package (6+ months/under 50 lbs) | $547.95 | $514.95 | $472.95 | $514.95 | $574.95 |
| Spay package (less than 6 months) | $475.95 | $446.95 | $410.95 | $446.95 | $498.95 |
Source: https://www.banfield.com/Services/price-estimator
Please note that prices may vary significantly depending on the location of the veterinary clinic, state and city, the required and recommended additional tests and procedures, animals’ weight, and many other factors. This pricing list is meant only as a reference to average routine costs during regular working hours and does not include emergencies.
Additional Costs
In addition to the basic service options, we can address other specific services, so you have a ballpark idea of how much each may cost. For a more accurate estimate, it’s always best to contact your veterinarian directly.
Tooth Extractions
One or more of your cat’s teeth may need to be extracted due to problems such as dental disease, periodontitis, tooth resorption, stomatitis, or other issues.
The cost of tooth extraction for cats can be anywhere from $250 to more than $1,000, depending on the number of extractions, length of procedures, pre-anesthetic blood testing, use of dental x-rays, and the types of medications and equipment used during the procedure.
Senior Screening
Cats over the age of 10 should get more frequent health screenings. This type of examination is more comprehensive than a wellness checkup and typically includes bloodwork, a urinalysis, and, if necessary, X-rays or an ultrasound if a specific problem is suspected. Each senior checkup could cost between $100 and $800, depending on the tests and investigations you choose to include in your cat’s health package.
Allergy Treatments
Allergy treatments involve more than just prescribing medication. Your veterinarian will have to test your cat for allergies to figure out what is causing their allergic reactions. They may also refer your cat to a veterinary dermatologist. Once a cause is determined, they can determine the best course of action to help your cat avoid or fight off the cause of their allergies. Therefore, you can expect allergy treatments for your cat to cost between $500 and $2,000, depending on the extent of investigations and tests.
Deworming and Flea Treatment
Cats can pick up various intestinal and external parasites, especially if they spend any of their time outdoors or hunt. Unfortunately, multiple parasites could find a home in or on your cat’s body. These include roundworms, hookworms and tapeworms, fleas, ear mites, and ticks, amongst others.
Luckily, your cat can be treated for parasites at the vet’s office. Your vet may recommend a fecal test to determine exactly what type of worms your cat is infested with, which can cost between $50 and $150. Medication to treat the worms may cost anywhere from $25 to $150, depending on the product, as some may be effective for longer.
Surgery
If your cat requires a routine surgery, such as neutering or spaying, or a non-routine procedure, such as wound suturing, lump biopsy, or other procedure, the cost is very variable and may go anywhere from $250 to even higher than $1,000, depending on additional pre-anesthetic and laboratory tests such as blood sampling. The average cost of less invasive or time-consuming non-routine surgeries, such as lump removals and stitch-ups, may be from about $500 to more than $1,400. These are just a few examples of how much a vet visit for a cat without insurance could cost you.
What to Expect Financially From an Emergency Vet Visit
You never know when you might need to take your cat in for an emergency visit, whether because they get injured, become ill, or ingest something they should not. The cost of just walking in the door to see a vet due to an emergency depends if it’s before or after midnight or during the weekend and public holidays, and may cost between $100 and $500. However, the costs do not stop there. Depending on the situation, there may be more charges relating to the following services.
Diagnostics
Diagnostic tests can include blood work ($75–$200), an X-ray ($150–$450), and an ultrasound ($300–$600). Overall, you could be looking at anywhere from $75 to $1,000 for diagnostics alone. If your cat requires more advanced imaging, such as a CT or an MRI, it can be even more expensive.
Hospitalization
Twenty-four hours of hospitalization for your cat could cost anywhere from $600 to over $1,000, depending on the treatments or services rendered during that time. If your cat needs to stay hospitalized for longer, there is often a reduction in fees in those circumstances.
Surgery
Being hit by a vehicle, falling from a balcony, or ingesting a foreign body are just a few reasons your cat may need emergency surgery. While there is no way to know exactly how much surgery will cost until you know the cause and extent of the condition, you can expect to pay between $1,500 and $4,000.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Which Vet Bills Do Pet Insurance Companies Cover?
Many companies sell pet insurance to help cover the costs of veterinarian services they receive throughout their life. Most pet insurance companies cover a percentage of the bill for emergency, accident, and sudden illness vet services in exchange for you paying them a monthly premium. For an extra monthly fee, some insurance companies may offer to cover some of the costs of preventative care minus a deductible, but that is less common.
Most companies offer reimbursement plans, which means that they will pay you back after you pay for the veterinarian services yourself. However, depending on the insurance company and the vet you are working with, you may be able to score a plan that does not require you to pay for services out of pocket.
How Often Should I Take My Cat to the Vet?
Kittens should be seen by a vet several times in the first 6 months of their lives for a set of primary vaccinations, regular weighing, adequate deworming and flea treatments, and for planning their neutering or spaying. Afterward, adult cats should see a veterinarian once a year for a wellness checkup and any required vaccinations. Flea and deworming treatments can be done at home and require nothing more than a quick stop to pick medications up from the vet when necessary (usually monthly for regular flea treatments).
Once your cat reaches the age of 10, your veterinarian may suggest that you come in for wellness checkups twice a year, as changes in a senior cat’s health can happen quickly.
Conclusion
Now that we’ve given you the average cost of a vet visit for your cat, it’s obvious that veterinarian care can vary greatly, but it is necessary. Your cat cannot experience a happy, healthy, high-quality life without regular checkups, preventative healthcare, and recommended vaccinations. We hope that our guide helps prepare you for any veterinarian visits that you make with your cat in the future.
Featured Image Credit: H_Ko, Shutterstock
