Worth of a pet? Priceless. Cost of a pet? Get your calculator.
The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals recently estimated that with unemployment caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, more than 4.2 million pets in the United States may enter poverty in the next several months.
The Associated Press reports that since it was launched in March, the ASPCA’S $5 million COVID-19 Relief & Recovery Initiative has provided $2 million in grant funding, set up new pet-food distribution centers in cities including Los Angeles, Miami, New York and Asheville, N.C., and helped more than 268,000 dogs, cats and horses nationwide, including distributing about 1,800 tons of food.
Meanwhile, pet adoption has been soaring among people staying home to avoid spreading the virus. So the people at Rover. com conducted a survey of 1,000 U.s.-based pet owners in July, via Attest, to see how much the average dog or cat owner will spend on four-legged companions. Rover found that although it can cost as much as $2,000 to $9,000 a year to keep a dog or cat, most people don’t budget for those expenses.
While pet lovers can’t put a price on their companions, the surveys shed some light on the financial impact of pet ownership.
How much does a dog cost?
The cost of dog ownership depends on factors including your lifestyle and whether you adopt from a shelter or buy from a breeder. According to Rover, the initial cost of getting a dog in 2020 can range from $610 to $2,350 up front, including adoption fees, spaying/neutering, veterinary check-ups, toys, treats and equipment. The cost of keeping that dog runs from $650 to $2,295 a year.
In Rover’s survey, however, 47% of dog owners said they spend about $3,400 on their dogs each year, while 32% say they budget $100 or less monthly for their dog’s expenses. So, before getting a dog, take a look at the price ranges for each expense and determine your budget and priorities.
Initial Costs
• Spay/neuter surgery: $35 to $400.
• Vaccinations: $75-$100.
• Flea and tick prevention: $40-$200.
• Heart worm prevention: $25-$120.
• Pet license: Cost depends where you live and whether the animal is neutered. For instance, the City of Rochester charges $3 for a neutered dog or $15 for an intact dog; in Rochester Hills it’s $10.50 or $18 for one year, with a discount for senior citizens and also for multiple years. In Mount Clemens, both cats and dogs must wear a license tag outside their home, and either costs $8.
• Microchip: $45.
• Collar/harness: $5-$50, leash $10-$40.
• Poop bags: $5-$10.
• Food, bowls: $10-$50.
• Crate: $30-$150
• Pet bed: $5-$200.
• Toys: $10-$200.
• Treats: $5-$15
• And if you rent your home, you’ll likely need to put down a pet deposit before bringing your pup home. This expense usually adds up to about $200$500 for the average renter.
Food costs can range widely — from $200 to $1,000 per year — depending on brand and how much your dog eats. Some dog parents opt for fresh food instead of dry or canned, often through a home delivery service, which can cost closer to $4,800 per year.
Needed routine veterinary visits and vaccinations cost $210 on average per year.
Optional Costs
Beyond food and veterinary care, what are these dog people buying?
Having a dog means cleaning occasional messes. If your dog has long hair, you may need dog shampoo ($3 to
$28 per bot- tle, depending on your needs and whether your pooch has skin allergies), and brushes ranging from $5-$20. For the home, stain and odor removers are handy at $5-$20, and puppy training pads run $10-$50.
Professional grooming will cost around $40-$70 per session.
Dental chews, which help keep teeth healthy, cost from $60-$180 annually.
Some dog owners love their collapsible bowl set for $13.99, while others opt for Yeti’s higher-end option at about $40.
Now, let’s say you want some time away without Fido. Professional dog boarding services average $35 per night nationally. Or, if you just want someone else to take your dog for walks, that convenience will cost $20 per walk, depending where you live and dates you select.
Dog training averages $90 per session, although
at-home training saves money and helps an owner bond with their dog. More info at rover.com/blog/dogtraining-101. Treats, a big help in training your dog, cost the typical pet parent anywhere from $70-$145 annually.
And if you don’t have your own yard, and must walk your dog on shared property, poop bags will cost about $35$60 a year.
Budgetminded pet parents can make their own toys for their dogs from old socks, used tennis balls, etc. And if you don’t want to buy expensive bespoke treats, many dogs are happy taking ordinary kibble.
So how do cats compare?
Many people line up as dog people or cat people. It’s true, cats are not like dogs, so willing to please. But gosh, aren’t they cute?
As far as your budget goes, cats eat a lot less than most dogs, and because they are more independent, they don’t require daily walks and grooming that many dogs need to stay healthy. Rover looked at the data and learned that while owning a cat is, on average, less expensive than owning a dog, minimal costs are similar. For cat owners, annual expenses range between $690 and $1,485.