6 Expenses to Plan for Before You Bring Home a Pet

We research all brands listed and may earn a fee from our partners. Research and financial considerations may influence how brands are displayed. Not all brands are included. Learn more.

Key Takeaways

• Average routine pet costs now top $4,000 a year, though your actual spending can differ widely depending on your animal and your lifestyle.

• In a recent Healthy Paws and Money survey, 55% of pet owners said higher costs made them less inclined to add another pet.

• Factoring in both ongoing and surprise expenses before adopting can help prevent financial stress later.

Welcoming a cat or dog into your home often means committing to years of spending. Food, grooming, boarding and veterinary care can all add up quickly, and rising pet-care prices are influencing how people think about ownership.

In a recent Healthy Paws Pet Insurance and Money survey, 55% of pet owners said increasing costs had made them less likely to get another pet, or had persuaded them not to do so.

That’s why it helps to think beyond the initial price of adoption or purchase and prepare for the long-term financial responsibilities of caring for an animal. Some costs are easy to predict, while others can surprise first-time owners.

Here’s what to include in your budget.

The cost of bringing a pet home

Adoption fees may be free or run into the hundreds of dollars, while buying from a breeder can cost much more.

Still, the amount you pay to bring a pet home may not reflect the full upfront total. Shelters and rescues often provide vet exams, vaccinations, spay or neuter surgery and microchipping before adoption. Petfinder says those services can add up to more than $800 on average.

If those services are not included, you’ll need to pay for them yourself, and the first expense of ownership can rise fast depending on what has already been done by the shelter or breeder.

Before setting your budget, ask exactly what is included in the adoption price so you know what your true starting cost will be.

Food and supplies

Food is one of the most obvious recurring expenses, but it is not the only one. Survey data from Healthy Paws and Money found that 36% of pet owners spend at least $100 a month on food and treats.

You should also account for litter, waste bags and items that need periodic replacement, such as toys, beds, leashes and collars.

Spending can differ greatly from pet to pet. A 90-pound dog and a 10-pound cat will not have the same food bill, and specialty or prescription diets can cost much more than standard food.

“Large dogs usually cost more than people expect because food, medications, anesthesia, grooming and boarding are often priced by size,” says Melinda Fleming, a veterinarian with pet telehealth provider TelaVets.

Some owners reduce these recurring costs by comparison shopping, buying in bulk or grooming pets at home. In the survey, more than 40% said they look for the best prices, 30% buy in bulk and 32% groom their pets themselves.

Instead of guessing, estimate the food and supplies you will actually need each month, then multiply that amount by 12 to build an annual starting budget.

Routine vet care

Regular veterinary care is part of responsible pet ownership, but checkups and preventive treatments come with costs. Even a healthy animal needs exams, vaccines, dental care and more.

Healthy Paws and Money data shows veterinary costs have climbed 43% since 2021. In a single month, 29% of pet owners surveyed spent at least $100 on vet care.

Fleming says preventive care is one of the expenses people often miss when making a pet budget. Along with routine visits and vaccinations, she recommends planning for flea, tick and heartworm prevention, dental work, lab tests and occasional sick visits.

Your total will depend on your pet’s age, size, health and location. Older pets may need more frequent visits, testing or medication, while animals with chronic conditions may require substantially more care than healthy ones.

One way to make routine care more affordable is to search for low-cost clinics nearby. Shelters, humane societies and nonprofit providers may offer discounted vaccinations, microchipping, spay and neuter procedures and other basic services. For example, Emancipet in Austin, Texas, runs low-cost clinics and offers some free services at community events.

Before paying standard rates, check whether lower-cost options are available in your area.

Insurance and emergency funds

Even if you plan carefully for normal care, you can’t predict when a pet will need urgent treatment or how much it will cost.

According to Healthy Paws claims data, emergency dog care averages about $1,800 for a broken bone, around $3,000 for bite wounds and more than $13,000 for a life-threatening stomach condition.

That is why Fleming recommends either pet insurance, a dedicated emergency fund or both. If you do not have insurance, she suggests saving at least $1,000 to $2,000, or more for larger dogs and pets with known health risks. That amount may cover a smaller emergency, but it may not be enough for surgery or a hospital stay, which is where insurance can help.

Pet insurance can help pay for eligible accident and illness costs, but you still need to understand the deductible, reimbursement rate, exclusions and coverage limits. Fleming also recommends enrolling while the pet is young and healthy, before any condition can be labeled pre-existing.

Grooming and training

Your pet’s breed, coat and temperament can all affect how much you spend. Some animals need very little professional help, while others need regular grooming or training to stay healthy and comfortable.

Healthy Paws and Money research found that nearly half of pet owners spend little or nothing on grooming in a typical month, while 15% spend $100 or more. Fleming notes that some dog breeds need professional grooming every six to eight weeks.

Training can also be a major expense, especially for puppies or dogs with behavior problems. According to Sit Means Sit, professional training can cost from about $50 for a small group class to more than $5,000 for an intensive program.

Boarding and lifestyle expenses

Your spending may also depend on your schedule. If you travel often, work long hours or regularly spend nights away from home, you may need to budget for boarding, pet sitting, dog walking or daycare.

Rover says dog boarding averages about $40 to $50 a night, though rates vary widely based on location and the type of care. A sitter may charge $25 to $45 a night, while overnight daycare with more individualized attention can cost $55 to $80.

Those bills can build quickly if you travel frequently or need ongoing help while at work. If family or friends nearby can pitch in, that can lower your costs. If paid care will be necessary, compare the services you are likely to use and build them into your budget before bringing home a new pet.