The Cost of Owning a Dog

You may have heard that dogs are expensive, but how much does it truly cost to own a dog and care for it properly? While it's true that there is an investment involved with dog care, it's best to understand the details.

Owning a dog comes with considerations other than just the purchase of food, including one-time expenses, monthly expenses, and annual expenses. Unfortunately, many people do not take the time to budget for a dog before getting one, leading to trouble down the road. It's best to learn your limits before you get a dog to help you make the right decisions. Financially providing for your dogs is a big part of being a responsible dog owner.

The cost of owning a dog can be estimated at about $1,500 to $9,900 per year. There are ways to save money depending on the choices you make. Contributing factors include your dog's size and age, the region in which you live, your own lifestyle, and your dog's individual needs.

Basic Costs of Owning a Dog

Initial Costs

There will always be some costs that don't apply to everyone, but here are some common costs to prepare for when bringing home a new dog.

Adoption or Purchase

Consider costs when choosing a dog. Any new dog or puppy will come with substantial expenses. If you decide to purchase a purebred dog from a breeder, you can expect to spend $500-2000, give or take. Spend the extra money on a quality dog from a reputable and professional breeder, not a "backyard breeder." It will cost you less in the long run because the dog will be healthier (and it's the right thing to do).

If you like mixed-breed dogs and you want to do your part to help dogs in need, then get your dog from a reputable shelter or rescue group. If you still want a purebred, there are plenty of breed-specific rescue groups. Adopting from a shelter or rescue can cost as little as $50 to $200. You are most likely to get a healthy dog when adopting from a reputable shelter or rescue group. Be aware that dogs with unknown histories might come with illnesses, so you may spend a bit extra on veterinary care.

Vaccines and Preventative Healthcare

Regardless of where you get your new dog, the very first thing you should do is get that dog to a good veterinarian. Depending on the need for vaccines, preventive medications, and special treatments, that first visit will likely cost you anywhere from $50 to $300, so be prepared. Vet bills for a young puppy will likely range from $100 to $300 depending on the puppy's health and the region in which you live. Puppies need to visit the vet every few weeks until about 16 weeks of age, and each visit can run you $100 to $300 depending on your pup's needs.

Supplies

Your next major expense will be dog supplies. These include dog food, leashes, collars, beds, toys and so on. You also need to think about obedience classes and/or training resources. When the time comes to have your puppy spayed or neutered, expect to spend anywhere from $150 to $700. Bottom line, the first year with your new dog can cost twice the typical annual cost of subsequent years, so be prepared.

Food and Treats

It is important to feed your dog a high-quality dog food and healthy dog treats. This typically costs somewhere from $20 to $60 per month ($250 to $700 per year). Food expenses vary based on the size and energy level of your dog as well as the quality of the food. Be aware that special foods, like veterinary therapeutic diets or freshly-made special-order food, may cost $100 or more a month. 

Toys

Dog toys are an important part of your dog's mental stimulation and exercise. Though some of us may indulge, you can probably plan on spending $25 to $150 per year. If you are like those of us who cannot resist a cute toy, this figure can become several hundred dollars higher. Another reason you may spend more on toys: a very destructive dog may go through toys faster, so if you have one of these dogs, invest in the toys designed for "tough chewers".

Beds

Every dog deserves a cozy bed and keeping one or two around the house will cost you $50 to $200 a year. Prices go up in relation to size and quality. Getting durable, high-quality and easy-to-clean dog beds can extend the life of the beds and keep costs down in the long run.

Leashes and Collars

Your dog must have at least one leash and one collar (with ID tags). Depending on the size and quality, most dog owners spend $20 to $50 per year on leashes and collars. However, you may be able to make one leash and collar set last for several years.

Grooming

Your dog's grooming needs are largely based on the type of hair coat he has. Smooth coated, short-haired dogs require little more than basic grooming while dogs with constantly growing hair will need to visit the groomer on a routine basis. Between the cost of grooming tools and visits to the groomer, you can plan on spending anywhere from $30 to $500 a year.

Routine Veterinary Care

Routine veterinary care is a huge part of keeping your dog healthy. Plan on going to the vet for wellness checkups once or twice a year at a cost of about $200 to $300 yearly. Annual lab work can add about $100 to $300 and should not be skipped as it's an important part of preventive health care. Dental cleanings may be recommended as often as once a year and generally range from about $300 to $800 if straightforward cleanings. If your dog has painful diseased teeth, their teeth will need high level treatment and extraction which can be about $800-$3000 or more depending on extent of dental disease and bone loss in your pets mouth. Of course, vet costs will be higher if your dog develops a health problem. This is more likely to happen as your dog grows older.

Additional Expenses

Other expenses that you might not initially think of include safety measures, like dog gates or security cameras, to ensure your dog is safe at home while you're working. And if they're the anxious type, you may need to invest in things like anxiety vests or medications to calm them down. Then there's the cost of replacing any items your dog may have damaged during a particularly anxious spell—like shoes they chewed up or even furniture.

Preventive Medications and Supplements

All dogs need medications to prevent heartworms, fleas, ticks, and other parasites. Your veterinarian will guide you towards the best products based on your climate and your dog's needs. Vitamins are not normally needed for dogs on completely balanced diets however sometimes your vet may recommend a supplement like glucosamine or omega 3s. In general, you will probably spend $100 to $500 per year for these items depending on the size of your dog and his specific needs.

Obedience Classes or Training Resources

Though most dogs will only go to obedience school in their first year or two, training is something that should be ongoing throughout your dog's life. Whether you are buying books and watching videos for at-home training or you enroll your dog in obedience classes, budget at least $25 to $300 per year for training needs.

Dog Walking

Depending on your lifestyle, you may need to factor in the expense of a dog walker. If you or someone else can stay home and consistently walk your dog, you'll spend $0 or close to it throughout the year. If you aren't home during the day, work irregular hours, or have a dog that requires frequent outdoor trips that you can't always be there for, you'll need a dog walker, the costs of which can average $20 per walk. For one $20 walk once a day for every weekday of the month, you can expect to pay about $400 per month or more on dog walking.

Pet Sitters or Boarding

Most people will need to leave their dogs behind once or twice a year. Typically, this will cost about $100 to $300 a year. However, if you travel frequently, expect to spend much more. Boarding tends to cost less than hiring a pet sitter, but many dog owners prefer the individual attention a pet sitter can offer and think it is worth the extra expense. Alternatively, if you decide to travel with your dog, you can expect your travel fees to increase.

Emergencies and Other Unexpected Expenses

No one can predict the future; the unexpected occurs in life all the time. As a good dog owner, you should do your best to be ready for life's little surprises. Emergencies, chronic illnesses, disasters, and other unplanned expenses can amount to hundreds or even thousands of dollars per year. The cost of an emergency vet hospital visit can start around $500 to $1000 and go well beyond $2000 to $5000. Advanced surgery is anywhere from $2000 to $5000 or more. If your sick pet needs to stay in the ICU, you could be looking at $200 to $500 per day and up. 

The best way to stay prepared is to set aside extra money in savings, if possible. In addition to savings, some people keep a credit card or line of credit set aside specifically for emergencies. Some veterinary practices offer third-party healthcare financing or health care credit cards, such as CareCredit. You may even qualify for an introductory zero interest plan. 

In a perfect world, dog owners would never have to make choices for their dogs based on money alone, Instead, it should be about what is best for their dogs. With proper planning (and a little luck) you can provide for your own dog and live a long and happy life together.