How much is that doggie in the window?
In 1789, King Frederick of Prussia first said that “dog is man’s best friend” with good reason. According to the 2024 American Pet Products Association National Survey, 82 million U.S. households own a dog.
There are many variables that affect the cost of owning a dog, including breed, type of food, and medical treatments — even where you live is a factor. In this article, we will explore the expenses you should be prepared for when deciding to bring home a new furry friend.
Understanding the cost of owning a dog
Let’s start at the beginning! The price of the actual dog will vary depending on the breed and seller. Even shelter and rescue pups can cost $500 today. To take a bite out of the first-year expenses — and to help ensure the successful forever homes — some organizations set adoption fees that cover certain costs at a greatly discounted rate! If you’re adopting a rescue, ask what the adoption fee includes.
While you won’t need to pay for four years of college for your dog to earn a degree in Barkology, much like a baby, you’re going to want to brace yourself. That first year of ownership can be “ruff.” However, you probably won’t incur all of these costs. For instance, if you have a pet walker, you probably won’t have daycare fees, or maybe your yard is already fenced. As you can see by the ranges, there are ways to lower these costs. Still, you’re going to need to budget for your new best friend.
| Item | From | To |
|---|---|---|
| Adoption fees | $0 | $600 |
| Spay or neuter surgery | $250 | $525 |
| Microchip + ID tags | $20 | $95 |
| Initial vet exam and vaccinations | $165 | $515 |
| Collar | $5 | $60 |
| Harness | $5 | $80 |
| Leash | $10 | $75 |
| Food and water bowls | $5 | $80 |
| Poop bags + holder | $10 | $90 |
| Crate | $25 | $475 |
| Bed | $10 | $470 |
| Grooming items: Brush and nail trimmer | $15 | $125 |
| Cleaning supplies such as stain and odor removers and wipes | $5 | $55 |
| Potty pads | $5 | $70 |
| Toys and chews | $5 | $220 |
| Treats | $2 | $125 |
| Basic veterinary care | $275 | $435 |
| Pet license | $20 | $125 |
| Food (wet and dry) | $45 | $345 |
| Total | $870 | $4,565 |
Additional expenses to consider
And there’s more where that came from! Although not necessary, you may want to budget for other expenses, both expected and unexpected. These could include emergency vet bills, training, pet insurance, and more.
Again, according to Rover, here’s a list of additional expenses that you (and your wallet) should be prepared for:
| Item | From | To |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency vet bills | $0 | $2,985 |
| Dental cleaning | $630 | $1,145 |
| Wellness vet bills | $275 | $435 |
| Dog boarding | $50 | $50 |
| Dog sitting | $40 | $40 |
| Drop in visits | $20 | $20 |
| Dog walking | $20 | $20 |
| Daycare | $40 | $40 |
| Training | $55 | $215 |
| Professional Grooming | $55 | $195 |
| Grooming supplies | $80 | $365 |
| Apartment pet deposit | $150 | $500 |
| Pet insurance | $10 | $100 |
| Misc | $60 | $490 |
| Total | $1,405 | $6,235 |
Dogs are expensive and they bark, but they are terrific companions. Although there’s a lot that goes into the cost of owning a dog, they offer so much happiness in return. They provide exercise incentive, stress relief, a common family focus, and more unconditional love and loyalty than you can imagine. The value for all that: Priceless.