How Much Does Cat Blood Work Cost?
Updated 2026-08-15 · Typical US ranges · Prices vary by region and clinic
A routine blood panel for a cat costs about $100 to $200, while a comprehensive senior wellness package (CBC, chemistry, thyroid, urinalysis, and kidney biomarker) typically runs $180 to $400 plus the exam fee. Cats over 10 are generally recommended to get blood work twice a year.
What’s included in the range?
Full senior wellness panel (CBC + chemistry + total T4 + urinalysis + SDMA) per PetPlanWise, exam fee excluded; a basic CBC and chemistry panel runs $100-$200 per PetMD.
What affects the price
- Panel breadth: a basic CBC and chemistry panel costs far less than a senior package that adds thyroid, urinalysis, and kidney biomarkers like SDMA
- Age and life stage: senior cats (10+) are recommended to get blood work twice yearly, so panels are often more comprehensive
- In-house vs. reference lab: sending samples to an outside lab adds cost and turnaround time
- Exam fee: the physical exam is billed separately and adds roughly $50 to $130
- Location and clinic type: specialty hospitals and urban practices charge more than general rural clinics
Questions to ask your vet
- What tests are included in the panel, and does it include thyroid (T4) and the SDMA kidney marker?
- Is the exam fee separate from the blood work price?
- Is the sample run in-house or sent to a reference lab, and does that change the cost or wait time?
- How often does my cat's age and health history make blood work necessary?
Frequently asked questions
What does a senior cat blood panel test for?
A typical senior panel includes a CBC, chemistry profile, thyroid hormone (T4), urinalysis, and the SDMA kidney biomarker. Together they screen for the kidney disease, hyperthyroidism, and diabetes that are common in cats over 10.
How often should my cat get blood work?
AAHA/AAFP feline guidelines recommend a baseline panel once a year for healthy adult cats, and twice-yearly exams with blood work for senior cats 10 and older, since cats hide illness well and early detection is much cheaper to manage.
Does pet insurance cover cat blood work?
Diagnostic blood work for a sick cat is typically reimbursed under accident-and-illness coverage (usually 70-90% after the deductible), but routine wellness screening requires a separate wellness add-on.
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- PetMD
Special blood tests vary greatly in price, but routine blood work, including a CBC and biochemistry panel, typically costs $100 to $200 for dogs and cats.
- PetPlanWise
A senior wellness blood panel — CBC, chemistry, total T4 thyroid, urinalysis, and the SDMA kidney biomarker — typically costs $180–$400.
- CareCredit
Blood test (chemistry panel) | $144