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 |  | Medium: $10-$35 per year |  | High: $45-$85 the first year |
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Typical costs: |
- The average cost for cat vaccinations ranges from $45 to $85 and up in the first year, and from $10 to $35 and up per year afterward.
- The cost varies based on which vaccinations are given and whether they are done at a veterinarian's office or a low-cost vaccination clinic run by a local government or humane organization.
Related articles: Buying a Cat, Cat Spay or Neuter, Owning a Cat
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What should be included: |
- Kittens usually receive a combination vaccine for feline distemper, rhinotracheitis and calcivirus at seven weeks, 10 weeks and 13 weeks, with a separate rabies vaccine at 12 or 13 weeks. After that, cats receive boosters annually, though veterinarians sometimes recommend less often -- such as every three years -- for indoor cats not exposed to other cats.
- PetEducation.com[1] offers detailed information on vaccines and a typical vaccination schedule for kittens and cats.
Additional costs: |
- Some kittens and cats, if they live primarily outdoors or will be exposed to many other cats, receive vaccines for feline leukemia and feline infectious peritonitis. Each extra shot costs about $5 to $10.
Discounts: |
- Most humane societies and shelters include the first rounds of vaccinations in the adoption fee.
- Tip: It is possible to order vaccines online and vaccinate the cat yourself, but it is important to order from a reliable company. DrsFosterSmith.com[2] has a guide on how to vaccinate a pet.
Shopping for cat vaccination: |
- To find a good veterinarian, ask fellow cat owners, breeders or humane associations. Or, check the American Veterinary Medical Association[3] to find your state's veterinary medical association for a referral.
- Ask the veterinarian how long he or she has been practicing, and how much continuing education he or she receives each year. Then, visit the clinic to look at cleanliness and attitude and ask about policies and prices.VeterinaryPartner.com offers a guide on how to find a veterinarian[4] .
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What People Are Paying - Recent Comments |
| Posted by: Hattie in Douglasville, GA. | Posted: November 15th, 2021 04:11PM |
| Breed: Cat |
I am poor....I have a lot of love, but not a lot of money. However, I found a baby kitten in a dumpster behind my place of work. No one wanted it. I brought it home and have it a bath. Fed it gave it water. It’s curled up sleeping on my chest. I can’t afford shots, and treatments for it so I’m online looking for low cost clinics to get it checked out and treated. But according to some, I can’t afford it I shouldn’t have it....what should I have done? Left it in the dumpster? Sometimes people don’t get a pet...sometimes a pet comes to them. Stop judging and let poor people with a lot of love to give rescue unwanted animals from certain death inside dumpsters! 😔 |
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| Posted by: Tom Valetta in Liverpool, NY. | Posted: July 22nd, 2020 03:07AM |
I am shocked at the amount of people complaining not having enough money to take their pets to the vet. If you don’t have the money don’t get a pet. |
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| Posted by: [email protected] in Eden prairie, MN. | Posted: June 16th, 2019 08:06PM |
| Breed: Domestic |
I am actually only posting because I am in disbelief of how many people are on here complaining about the cost of their pets health care. I hope everyone realizes that these veterinary offices pay an enormous amount of money for the inventory and equipment that is used in treating and servicing your pet. Most hospitals are doing good to cover cost after paying employees. Veterinarians are one of the lowest paid graduate degree jobs you can find with one of the highest suicide rates. Please understand no one is out to gouge you. Running a business (especially private practice in competition with corporate)is not easy/nor cheap. |
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| Posted by: a user in South Windsor, CT. | Posted: October 5th, 2017 08:10AM |
| Breed: American long haired cat |
I have two indoor ( 2 & 1/2 year old) rescue cats - siblings. I'm getting ready to take them for their yearly physical - which includes a rabies booster and deworming. ( grooming services - like clipped nails is extra!) and this is going to cost me $300 - possibly more if I choose to get the nails clipped. I find this surprisingly high, but I live in an area where all the vets charge too much. I am considering not deworming them to save money, because they are indoor cats. BUT - they do have access to a deck which means they could be exposed to fleas and other insects. It's a hard call but $300 is more than %15 of my monthly take-home pay! And it's more than I spend on my own healthcare out-of-pocket. |
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| Posted by: Do not over-vaccinate in Tampa, FL. | Posted: January 5th, 2015 03:01PM |
| Breed: Himalayan and Tuxedo |
I pay zero for my cats' yearly shots. How is that possible? I refused to vaccinate my cats after their first shots. They were strictly indoor cats with no access or contact to any animals outside and they had NEVER been sick. Too much research is out there, including the Vet Association, who are now concern about over-vaccinating your pets. One big concern for cat owners is the vaccine-activated sarcoma, which is a very aggressive form of cancer that grows from the area where your cat receive its shot. Unless your cats are outdoors, have contact with outside animals or other strange animals, there is no other reason other than the initial shots to re-vaccinate. You could do a yearly tither or a 3-year booster, but yearly vaccines? When was the last time you received your measles shot?
For financial and liability reasons, it is common for vets to ask or urge you to yearly vaccinate. It is okay to say no if you feel uncomfortable. |
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| Posted by: DanielleRB in San Bernardino, CA. | Posted: January 2nd, 2015 06:01PM |
| Breed: Domestic Cat |
The lowest you will find in Southern California. Arrowhead Animal Clinic -This vet office only charges $5.00 each shot and that is also for rabbies vaccine. They offer these low cost on their low cost vaccine days. The wait is long but well worth the wait for the cost! January 2015!!! |
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| Posted by: Mark Alexander in Spencer, IN. | Posted: December 22nd, 2014 08:12AM |
| Breed: American shorthair |
Very inefficient and unorganized slow methods explode costs exponentially. Not only are appointments over an hour late, but $180.00 for two barn cats to be vaccinated is exactly why more cats are not vaccinated, and/or neutered. Some Vets are simply GREEDY. $33.00 each for 30 second look at teeth and tummy? This one likes cats. Pity such an expensive office with very incompetent office help. Has to be a friend otherwise would be terminated instantly. |
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| Posted by: CherylH in Birmingham, AL. | Posted: December 15th, 2014 07:12PM |
| Breed: Nebelung |
I was shocked at the low cost. It included an exam, a feline vaccine, not sure which, but not rabies, a dewormer, a flea treatment and a small bag of food! Now I give him Immunocal for his immune system and he is thriving! |
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| Posted by: MacMercSam in Boynton Beach, FL. | Posted: September 19th, 2014 08:09PM |
| Breed: Domestic Short & Medium hair |
Charged for one kitten office visit instead of 2, both got wellness & fecal exams, antibiotics, flea and de-worming. They have a follow-up visit in a couple of days (they will be a month old). After reading a posting about PetSupermarket vaccinations, I am definitely going to look into it! Thanks :) |
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| Posted by: KatieR in Haverhill, MA. | Posted: February 28th, 2014 02:02PM |
| Breed: DSH |
I got an exam for my cat and he got a rabies and distemper vaccines. That cost $310. I had to bring him back for a distemper booster (he's an adult indoor cat and hadn't been vaccinated since we rescued him several years ago). That was an additional $89. Yep, the cost of everything is grossly over-inflated in MA. (It was February of 2014, but this year is not an option on the drop-down menu.) |
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| Posted by: a user in Tuscaloosa, AL. | Posted: June 20th, 2013 12:06PM |
| Breed: tortie |
They did an examination with a vaccination, an intestinal parasite exam, a FeLV/FIV tist, and they gave her metacam, dewormer, the bordetella vaccine, purevax, and FVRCP-C. She also had an x-ray to see if she was pregnant. I still feel like this was a little too expensive. |
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| Posted by: Robing in Orchard lake, MI. | Posted: February 9th, 2013 07:02AM |
| Breed: DSH |
I feel like I've just been robbed! Had exam, blood work and rabies, fe-leukemia, and distemper shots for a HUGE amount of money!!! I think I'm changing vets . . . |
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| Posted by: Cat Mom in columbus, OH. | Posted: January 4th, 2013 06:01AM |
| Breed: DSH |
I took both of my cats to banfield pet hospital. Whith the wellness plans they offer it was no cost to me for all the vax they needed, fecal, dewormer, full check up, blood work and a dental cleaning. |
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| Posted by: Fabi in Boca Raton, FL. | Posted: November 30th, 2012 12:11PM |
| Breed: siamese |
Every 2 weeks petsupermarket have vets in there with affordable shots for cats and dogs I Think they are the best :)check the dates on the web site |
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| Posted by: Sandcat in West Palm Bch., FL. | Posted: October 15th, 2012 09:10AM |
| Breed: Cat |
Excessive, I thought it included all shots and fecal exam. |
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| Posted by: VEDE in CHICAGO, IL. | Posted: July 14th, 2011 09:07AM |
| Breed: tabby |
please tell me where i can find a pet vet clinic to give my tabby an affordable pet vet rabies vaccine shot for about $25.00 IN CHICAGO |
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| Posted by: Kel in Tyler, TX. | Posted: July 11th, 2011 01:07PM |
| Breed: mixed/ unknown |
My kittens have had two rounds of shots.
The first time I took them it cost $67.00; that included a discounted office visit, 3 shots each, and deworming medication. They trimmed their nails for free.
Today was their second visit and it cost $114.00; that included all their shots (5 shots-- including the rabies this time) and apparently a waived office visit. |
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| Posted by: Di1314 in McKeesport, PA. | Posted: June 14th, 2011 08:06PM |
| Breed: Seal Point Siamese |
I called a local vet clinic in Elizabeth, PA. This is what the office visit and first set of shots and deworming cost. Although I do like the vet, I'm going to have to find someone else more reasonably priced to get the rest of the shots and neutering. |
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| Posted by: Chyrl in Amarillo, TX. | Posted: February 2nd, 2011 08:02AM |
| Breed: Mixed kitten/unknown |
I called the Humane Society and they offer discount vouchers you can purchase for the spay/neutering costs and the rabies shot. The cat for the shot and surgery was $50.
I got the same vouchers for my puppy and he was $60 for both.
Just call your Humane Society for information. You just go in and purchase the vouchers directly from them. They give you a list of vets that accept them. |
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| Posted by: Tiyana in Oregon City, OR. | Posted: November 17th, 2010 10:11PM |
| Breed: Tabby/Siamese mix |
I ended up spending a little under $400 for my 2 cats to get vaccinated and neutered this past visit. Pretty disappointing to see so little in my bank account now. |
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External Resources: |
- www.peteducation.com:80/article.cfm?c=1+1385&aid=951
- www.drsfostersmith.com/pic/article.cfm?dept_id=&aid=84
- www.avma.org/about/state-vmas
- veterinarypartner.vin.com/default.aspx?pid=19239&id=4951363
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