Bringing a kitten home is an exciting time, and it's natural to think about the practical aspects, including veterinary care expenses. These costs can sometimes feel unpredictable. Whether you're anticipating a new arrival or already have a kitten, we'll provide a clear picture of potential vet bills and share a solution that may help you manage them more affordably, potentially saving you up to 90%.
First Vet Visit: How Much Does It Cost to Introduce Your Kitten to the Medical World?
Here’s what you can expect on your kitty’s first vet visit –
Physical exam – This will include checking the kitten’s weight, coat, eyes, ears, teeth, and overall health to ensure they’re in good shape.
Vaccines – The first round of shots includes FVRCP (for common feline viruses) and possibly FeLV (feline leukemia virus) if they’re at risk.
Deworming – For keeping the notorious parasites away
Flea and tick exam – To make sure that your kitty has neither. Your vet may also suggest flea and tick preventative, which is common to keep these pests away from pets.
Fecal test – This is an effective method to check for internal parasites.
Apart from these medical procedures, you can also expect a discussion on spaying/neutering, diet and nutrition, behavior and training, etc. Additionally, you can decide (and it is recommended) to get your kitty microchipped.
How much do a kitten’s first shots cost?
During their first 4 months, kittens require a series of vaccines and boosters costing between $300 - $3804. This includes the FVRCP and FELV vaccines, roundworm and hookworm dewormer and rabies shots. This cost will vary greatly depending on where you live and where you go to get these crucial vaccinations.
How Much is a Kitten's First Vet Visit?
Here’s a breakdown of the costs involved in the first vet visit(1)(3):
Overall wellness exam - Ranges from $50 to $150 depending on your location. The breed of your cat and their age may factor in slightly to this cost.
Deworming - $50-$150
Fecal exam - $25-$45
Emergency Vet Visit Costs for a Kitten
Just like toddlers exploring their world, kittens can sometimes get into trouble due to their natural curiosity and developing motor skills. This can unfortunately, lead to instances of them eating things they shouldn't, experiencing falls, or getting minor injuries during their playful "zoomies." While we hope these are never serious, emergency vet care might be necessary.
Here are a few cost estimates for common emergency services(2):
ER exam - $100-$200
IV fluids - $60-95
Blood tests - $80-200
Pain medications - $40-$80
Wound treatment - $800-$2,500
Surgery - $1,500-$5,000 or more
How Much Do Routine Vet Visits Cost for a Kitten?
We know that prevention is better than a cure. A routine vet visit is the best way to practice that. As your kitten grows up, their annual wellness exams will probably be similar to their first vet visit. Wellness exams often include a physical exam, vaccinations (as per the schedule), and lab tests like bloodwork and cost between $50-$250(2).
How to take a kitten to the vet for free?
Many animal shelters have clinics that are open to the public and offer low-cost veterinary services. Free veterinary services are more difficult to find, but some counties run programs that offer free veterinary care to the public. Check the site of your local government to find more information.
Another option to help pet parents with the cost of vet bills is kitten insurance.
Kitten Insurance: Is It Worth It?
Taking your cat to the vet is part of being a responsible pet parent, whether it’s for annual checkups, preventive care, or unexpected health issues. Over time, those visits can add up.
In fact, 42% of cat parents are now concerned about the rising cost of pet care over the course of their cat’s life4. This year alone, annual costs for cat care are expected to increase by as much as 32%4. And while no one wants to think about emergencies, a single visit to an emergency vet can range from $200 to $1,250, depending on the situation4. That could include services like emergency surgery, imaging, X-rays, or even overnight monitoring. With pet insurance, you can get reimbursed for up to 90% of covered vet expenses.
Spot Pet Insurance also offers coverage for prescription diets, microchipping, alternative therapies, and more. For an added cost, a preventive care add-on can help with things like dental cleanings, spaying/neutering, and routine checkups, making it easier to plan and budget for your cat’s care.
More about Spot Pet Insurance
With a Spot accident and illness plan, you can take your cat for treatment at any licensed vet in Canada or the U.S. Spot plans don’t have networks, so whether you’re home or traveling within the U.S, veterinary services your cat receives for the diagnosis, treatment, or management of eligible services can be covered. Spot’s accident and illness plans can help cover a variety of conditions, ranging from broken bones and bite wounds to behavioral conditions, and cancer. While base plans do not offer coverage for preventive care services, Spot’s Wellness Riders can be added to any base plan for an additional fee and can help cover the eligible costs of wellness exams, vaccinations, dental cleanings, and more!
Learn more about cat insurance or get a free quote!
I’m Charlie: canine enthusiast with a knack for figuring out why my dog, Dallas, is more infatuated with tennis balls than me. My lifelong passion for dogs has created a dedication to help other pet parents better understands their furry family members!
Budgeting for your kitten’s first year. (n.d.). https://www.petco.com/content/content-hub/home/articlePages/new-pet/budgeting-for-your-kittens-first-year.html
How much does a vet visit cost? Average pricing by procedure. (2024, August 5). https://www.carecredit.com/vetmed/costs/
Metz, J. (2025, January 2). Pet Insurance Statistics 2025. Forbes Advisor. https://www.forbes.com/advisor/pet-insurance/pet-insurance-statistics/
“The Cost of Cat Parenthood in 2025 | Rover.com.” The Dog People CA, 2025, www.rover.com/ca/blog/cost-of-cat-parenthood/.
