Pet Care Costs

How much is that doggie (or kitty, rabbit, rat, goldfish or guinea pig…) in the shelter window? In addition to the initial cost of adoption, there’s a whole litany of expenses that the average pet owner will incur within a year. To make it easier for you to plan for your new arrival, we’ve prepared a financial breakdown of the annual costs of caring for a variety of species. 

You can also download as Pet Care Costs (pdf) or Pet Care Costs (doc) version.

Costs

Notes

Small Dog

Medium Dog

Large Dog

Cat

Rabbit

Guinea Pig

Small Mammal

Small Bird

Fish

Annual Costs

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Food

1

$55

$120

$235

$115

$190

$105

$50

$75

$20

Recurring Medical

2

$210

$235

$260

$160

$70

$70

 

$85

 

Litter

3

 

 

 

$165

$415

$415

$210

 

 

Toys/Treats

 

$40

$55

$75

$25

$40

$30

$25

$25

 

License

 

$15

$15

$15

 

 

 

 

 

 

Health Insurance

4

$225

$225

$225

$175

 

 

 

 

 

Misc.

 

$35

$45

$65

$30

$15

$15

$15

$15

$15

Annual Total

 

$580

$695

$875

$670

$730

$635

$300

$200

$35

Capital Costs

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Spay/Neuter

 

$190

$200

$220

$145

$160

 

 

 

 

Other initial medical

5

$70

$70

$70

$130

 

 

 

 

 

Collar/Leash

 

$25

$30

$35

$10

 

 

 

 

 

Litter Box

 

 

 

 

$25

$25 

 

 

 

 

Scratching Post

 

 

 

 

$15

 

 

 

 

 

Cage

 

 

 

 

 

$100

$70

$40

$70

 

Carrier Bag

 

$40

$60

 

$40

$40

 

 

 

 

Crate

 

$35

$95

$125

 

 

 

 

 

 

Aquarium Eqpt.

6

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$200

Training Class

 

$110

$110

$110

 

 

 

 

 

 

Capital Total

 

$470

$565

$560

$365

$325

$70

$40

$70

$200

Special Costs

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Long Hair Groom

 

$264

$320

$408

 

 

 

 

 

 

First Year Total

$1,314

$1,580

$1,843

$1,035

$1,055

$705

$340

$270

$235

1. Premium brand dry kibble
2. Exam, vaccinations, heartworm preventative & topical flea/tick preventative
3. Scoopable litter for cats, scooped daily; hardwood shavings or recycled paper products for rabbits, guinea pigs and small mammals, changed at least weekly
4. Insurance coverage varies: some policies cover spay/neuter, vaccinations and heartworm medication. The annual deductible will also vary depending on the policy.
5. Deworming, basic blood tests & microchip
6. Basic twenty gallon set up with light/hood, outside filter, undergravel filters, air pump and gravel. Does not include fish.