Thinking of getting a pet? Take a moment to go over the costs of pets before taking on the responsibility of proper pet care and ownership.
Pets can enrich our lives in many ways, so the costs of a pet can seem like a small price to pay for a new furry family member. But understanding how much the average pet owner spends per year can help you understand the true costs of pet ownership so you can be a more responsible pet parent.
Every type of pet will come with their own unique costs and needs. But within each animal category there are also different breeds that may come with their own unique costs too.
So how much does the average pet owner spend per year for dogs? On average dog owners can expect to spend anywhere between $1,500 to $9,900 a year on their dog.
Adoption fees for adopting a dog can be anywhere between $50 to $200. This will vary depending on where you are adopting the dog. It might also depend on the breed or size of the dog, or the pricing of your specific animal shelter. But adopting a dog is almost always cheaper than buying a dog from a breeder.
Buying a dog from a breeder can cost anywhere between $500 to $2,000 or more depending on breed of the dog. Dog breeders might offer payment plans so you can pay them in a few installments rather than all at once.
Like all pets, your dog will need vet care on a routine basis. There may also be instances of emergency expenses for your pet if they get hurt or sick.
How much does the average pet owner spend per year on a dog for vet care? Routine vet care for your dog can end up being anywhere between $700 to $2,000 a year for a healthy dog. Other preventative medications your dog might need, like heartworm prevention or flea and tick prevention can cost anywhere between $200 to $600 a year.
Cats can sometimes be found through a special breeder, but many cats are adopted from animal shelters or are taken in as strays from the streets. As a smaller animal, cats tend to be a less expensive pet than dogs.
So how much does the average pet owner spend per year on a cat? Cat owners can expect to pay anywhere between $405 to $2,285 a year on their cat.
The cost of adopting a cat can be anywhere between $0 to $200. Many cat adoption fees from an animal shelter also include things spaying, neutering, and essential vaccines.
Cats will also need routine veterinary care. Whether your cat is an indoor or outdoor cat may also affect how often you need to take your cat to the vet.
For routine veterinary care for your cat, pet owners spend anywhere between $110 to $550 a year. How much does the average pet owner spend per year for a cat on vet care? For other preventative care like flea prevention and tick prevention, act owners can expect to pay about $20 to $200 a year. If your cat spends a lot of time outdoors, then they may need more preventative care for fleas and ticks.
There are many different kinds of pet care costs to pet ownership. There are the costs to get your pet, the costs of all the pet supplies you need, there are the veterinary care costs, there are annual expenses like vet checkups, there are monthly expenses like pet food and treats, and there are extra pet care costs like hiring a dog walker or paying for pet boarding while you go on vacation.
Hiring a dog walker to walk your dog for you can cost anywhere between $15 to $45 per walk. If you don't have time to take your dog on lots of walks, you might want to think about hiring a dog walker. This can be a great way to make sure your active dog is getting the exercise they need.
To calculate how much your pet needs to eat, take into consideration how active your pet is, the size and age of your pet, and whether your pet is already at a healthy weight. Always consult with your vet with any questions about how much pet food and treats to give your pet.
All pets cost money in order to properly care for them. Dogs and cats and all kinds of furry friends need veterinary care, pet care, pet supplies, pet food and treats, toys, and more in order to be happy and healthy. All of these pet care costs will add up to different annual expenses. Make sure you truly understand how much the average pet owner spends per year before you get a pet.
