Knowing whether or not you have enough money to adopt your first dog (or another dog) can be hard to figure out. To help you out, we have compiled a quick guide that will help you figure out how to budget for a dog and how much money you should be prepared to spend. Keep in mind that there are many other factors that will affect these costs, including the size of your dog, their age, their breed, and the cost of living in your region.
Start-Up Costs
- Adoption or breeder fee: This can vary anywhere from $0 to get a puppy from an unexpected litter to $2,000+ to purchase a rare breed of dog from a breeder. Adopting a dog from a shelter or rescue usually caps out at about $600, but may be less.
- Collar, leash, and ID tags: These cost anywhere between $20 and $70 depending on how many and what quality you buy. Keep in mind that you will have to replace the collar and leash several times during the first year as your dog grows rapidly. After they reach their full size, you won’t have to replace them as often.
- Crate and dog bed: A dog bed costs between $20 and $50 depending on the size, while a dog crate costs anywhere between $50 and $300 depending on the size and style.
- Food and water bowls: These cost between $20 and $40 for a set.
- First year vet visits and vaccinations: Your puppy needs a lot of healthcare during their first year. Between routine vet visits,getting vaccinations, and spaying or neutering, you will spend anywhere between $150 and $800.
Ongoing Annual Expenses
- Food: This varies a lot depending on how much your dog eats and whether or not they must stick to a special diet. The costs can range anywhere between $150 and $750 for a whole year.
- Treats: This costs between $10 and $50 a year for most dogs.Getting dog treats on salewill help keep costs down.
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- Toys: Some dogs are more destructive, necessitating their toys to be replaced at a faster rate. Most dog owners spend between $25 and $100 on toys a year.
- Vet exam: Annual vet care goes down after the first year, but it will cost you around $100 to $250 for semi-annual check-ups. If your dog needs additional healthcare, this number goes up.
- Parasite prevention: This essential preventative care costs between $50 and $100 per dog per year.
- Teeth cleaning: Unfortunately, getting your dog’s teeth professionally cleaned also necessitates anesthesia, which results in a price tag of $300 to $700 for a routine cleaning. Any additional dental care will cost more on top of this.
- Grooming and bathing supplies: If you plan to groom your dog at home, which is more cost effective, you will need to spend $25 to $100 on brushes, clippers, and other supplies. Bathing supplies will run you an additional $25 to $150.
Optional Services
- Grooming: If you decide not to groom your dog at home, then trips to the groomer can cost you up to $500 a year, depending on how often you go and what services you choose.
- Training classes:Obedience classesare one of the best investments you can make in your dog. They usually cost between $100 and $150 for a group course, or about the same amount for a session with a private trainer.
- Pet sitting or boarding: If you are planning to go on vacation, boarding your dog or getting a pet sitter will cost you between $0 (if you have a friend willing to do it for free) or $25 to $50 a day for a professional service.
- Dog walking and doggie daycare: Having a dog walker come to your home usually costs $25 per visit. A doggie daycare will vary between $30 and $40 for a full day, but they often offer discounts for weekly or monthly packages.
In addition to these expenses, you should be prepared for other emergency one-off situations. For instance, surgery after an accident or treatment for cancer can cost you up to $5,000. You might also need to pay for other unforeseen pet expenses, such as medications or replacing damaged furniture that your dog has chewed. You may also wish to make other purchases, such as getting your dog adog treat subscription boxor clothing and accessories, to shower them in even more love.
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If you’re looking to save money in your dog budget, check out ourdog treat coupon pagefor current discounts. If you’re looking to spoil your dog, then consider ourdog treat sample box, which includes new treats every month for them to try. And, of course, don’t forget to shop the rest of our affordable dog treat offerings!
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FAQs
Annual Cost of Dog Ownership
According to our survey of more than 1,000 dog owners, most spent an average of $40 to $290 per month on their dogs — or an average of $480 to $3,470 annually. But this number will vary depending on your dog's individual needs, size, pet insurance plan's costs, and health status.
How much money do I need for a dog? ›
The up-front costs to get a new dog average around $1,600. Annual costs typically cost in the $700–$1,000 range. That doesn't include optional expenses, such as potty training supplies, house-cleaning supplies, microchipping, and other fees that aren't required but are often spent.
What percentage of income should go to pets? ›
Even though there's no one magic number for how much you should be spending, it is important to keep these costs in check. Forrest McCall, a personal finance expert and owner of the finance site Don't Work Another Day, recommends keeping your costs under 5% to 6% of your take-home pay.
Can I financially afford a dog? ›
I often hear other pet parents say that caring for a pet always costs more than you think and can cause some financial stress. Surveys bear that out. Dog owners spend an average of $376 per month on their dogs, or $4,512 per year, according to a USA Today Blueprint survey.
What is the average dog bill? ›
Our research shows the average dog parent may spend anywhere from $80-$440 per month on their dog. Annually, a dog could cost their humans anywhere from $1,000 to $5,225 per year. This is a 55% increase since 2023. Increased cost is no surprise, given the rise of cost for food, toys, treats, and vet care.
How much savings should you have for a dog? ›
Aim to have enough saved to cover at least three months' worth of your future pet's living expenses, prior to adopting or purchasing a dog. You can also think about ways you can cut costs. If you can get away with walking your dog yourself each day, rather than hiring a dog walker, that's a big expense saved.
What is the #1 most expensive dog? ›
1. Tibetan Mastiff – $2,000 to Millions! Native to China and Nepal, the Tibetan Mastiff is an ancient breed that was developed to guard flocks and households against wolves and leopards.
What should I pay for a dog? ›
You should expect a dog to cost you at least £5,200 but, depending on the breed of the dog, their cost could be a minimum of £15,700 over their whole lifetime: Small dog breeds: At least £5,200 - £10,000. Medium dog breeds: At least £7,500 - £11,800. Large dog breeds: At least £6,900 - £15,700.
How much does the average dog owner spend? ›
Pet Ownership in the U.S. at a Glance
Millennials make up the largest percentage of current pet owners (33%), followed by Gen X (25%) and baby boomers (24%). In 2022, Americans spent $136.8 billion on their pets, up nearly 11% from 2021 ($123.6 billion). Essential dog expenses cost an average of $1,533 annually.
What is the 50 20 30 rule? ›
The 50-30-20 rule recommends putting 50% of your money toward needs, 30% toward wants, and 20% toward savings.
Bottom Line. Living on $1,000 per month is a challenge. From the high costs of housing, transportation and food, plus trying to keep your bills to a minimum, it would be difficult for anyone living alone to make this work. But with some creativity, roommates and strategy, you might be able to pull it off.
What do dog owners spend the most money on? ›
Basic Pet Spending Statistics
- Health-related expenses accounted for 19% to 45.5% of total dog-related costs. ...
- Health-related expenses accounted for 15% to 38.8% of total cat-related costs. ...
- Annual pet food costs average $434 to $684 for dogs and $351 to $584 for cats.
You can budget for your pet's expenses by setting aside money each month for expected expenses, such as food, treats and grooming visits. You can also set up a separate emergency fund for unexpected expenses, such as when your pet gets sick or has an emergency.
How can I save money to get a dog? ›
Here's how to prepare.
- Start a puppy fund. When it comes to things you want, you have to save for them. ...
- Be realistic about the cost of owning a dog. Like anything else you spend money on, you need to add it to your budget. ...
- Understand hidden costs. ...
- Create a puppy emergency fund. ...
- Consider pet insurance. ...
- Bottom line.
The ASPCA reports that new house pets cost approximately $1,000-$2,000 in the first year, and $700 to $875 each year thereafter. The costs vary between cats, which are generally less expensive, and dogs, which vary depending on size. A five-pound dog is going to be cheaper to feed than a 50 lb dog.
How much should you spend with your dog? ›
Taking a couple of hours a day to walk your dog, play with him, and scratch his belly will be enough to keep him happy. The better the times you spend together, the better the memories you will forge and the stronger the bond between you will become.
What dog costs 5000 dollars? ›
Afghan Hound. Found in the mountains of Afghanistan, the Afghan Hound is one of the costliest dog breeds out there with an average cost of around $5000-$7000 with an additional around $3000 for their lifetime health care. The long hair and the unique looks caused them to become highly desirable show dogs and pets.
