How much does cat bloodwork cost?
Last updated: May 2026 · Methodology · Sources
A basic CBC costs $80–$220, a comprehensive chemistry panel $130–$380, and a senior wellness package $180–$400 (plus the exam fee). Diagnostic bloodwork for a sick cat is usually covered by insurance; routine screening needs a wellness add-on.
Common panels
| Panel | What it checks | Low | Typical | High |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CBC | Anemia, infection, platelets | $80 | $140 | $220 |
| Chemistry panel | Liver, kidney, glucose | $130 | $220 | $380 |
| Total T4 (thyroid) | Hyperthyroidism screening | $50 | $80 | $150 |
| SDMA (kidney biomarker) | Early kidney disease | $30 | $60 | $110 |
| Senior wellness package | CBC + chem + T4 + UA + SDMA | $180 | $280 | $400 |
How often should a cat get bloodwork?
Cats hide illness well, so bloodwork is how problems get caught before symptoms appear. AAHA/AAFP feline life-stage guidelines recommend:
- Healthy adult cats (1–10): a baseline panel once a year, often at the annual exam.
- Senior cats (10+): twice-yearly exams with bloodwork — chronic kidney disease, hyperthyroidism, and diabetes are all common in this age group and far cheaper to manage when caught early.
- Pre-anesthetic: a panel before any dental or surgery to confirm it's safe to sedate.
- Cats on long-term medication: periodic monitoring (e.g. thyroid or kidney values) as directed by your vet.
Cost with vs. without insurance
Whether bloodwork is covered depends on why it's run. Worked example for a $280 diagnostic panel on a cat that's vomiting or losing weight:
| Scenario | You pay |
|---|---|
| No insurance (full bill) | $280 |
| Insurance, 80% reimbursement, deductible met | $56 |
| Routine wellness screening (no wellness add-on) | $280 |
Diagnostic bloodwork for an accident or illness is typically reimbursed after your deductible; routine wellness screening usually needs a separate wellness add-on. Run the trade-off in our insurance vs. savings calculator, or build a full visit estimate in the vet bill calculator.
Related cat cost guides
- Cat X-ray cost — bloodwork and imaging are often ordered together for a full workup.
- Cat urinary blockage cost — bloodwork is part of diagnosing and stabilizing a blocked cat.
- Emergency vet visit cost — why the same panel costs more in an ER.
- Cat cost calculator — full annual + lifetime cat ownership estimate.
FAQ
How much does cat bloodwork cost?
A basic CBC costs $80–$220 and a comprehensive chemistry panel $130–$380. A senior wellness package (CBC + chemistry + thyroid + UA + SDMA) runs $180–$400. The exam fee is usually separate.
How much does a senior cat blood panel cost?
A senior wellness blood panel — CBC, chemistry, total T4 thyroid, urinalysis, and the SDMA kidney biomarker — typically costs $180–$400. It screens for the kidney disease, hyperthyroidism, and diabetes common in cats over 10.
How much does cat bloodwork cost without insurance?
You pay the full $80–$400 (plus the exam fee). With accident-and-illness coverage, diagnostic bloodwork for a sick cat is reimbursed 70–90% after deductible; routine wellness screening requires a wellness add-on.
How often should a cat get bloodwork?
Once a year for healthy adults and twice a year for seniors (10+), per AAHA/AAFP guidelines. Cats on long-term medication or with chronic conditions may need it more often.
What's SDMA and why is it on the bill?
SDMA detects early kidney function loss before traditional creatinine — sometimes years sooner. It's now a routine line item in many feline senior wellness panels and adds about $30–$110.