Cost of Owning a Dog (2024): Purchase, Vet Bills, and More

Depending on how you adopt your dog, the average cost ranges from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars. And once you welcome them into your family, you can expect many more one-time and ongoing costs. Still, it’s an expense many people choose to take on, as nearly 60 million households in the U.S. own dogs.^[1]

If you’re considering bringing a new dog into your family, it’s important to budget for the up-front and ongoing expenses and to have an emergency fund in place for unexpected costs.

How much does a dog cost?

The average cost of a dog ranges from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars, depending on the type of dog, its age and lifespan, where you purchase or adopt it, and more.

First, you can expect to pay far less to adopt a dog from a shelter than to purchase one from a breeder. You could pay close to $500 for a puppy but half that for an adult dog. These fees generally cover the shelter’s costs to care for its animals, but many shelters run waived-fee promotions.

In some cases, you may even be able to adopt a dog for free. While animal shelters generally have to charge fees to remain in operation, you could adopt a free dog directly from an owner who can no longer care for it.

On the other hand, purchasing a dog directly from a breeder can cost thousands of dollars. Many common dog breeds cost between $1,000 and $4,000.

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Costs of owning a dog

Buying or adopting your dog is just the first step — you’ll have plenty of costs required to care for it, too. Some of these are just one-time costs, while others you should expect to pay year after year.

One-time dog costs

First, there are quite a few one-time costs for your new furry friend. According to the American Kennel Club, these costs can amount to close to $900 in the first year. Most of these are up-front costs, while others, such as emergency medical expenses, could happen at any time. The table below breaks down some of the one-time costs you should expect and how much they’ll be.^[2]

While the supplies you need will depend on the type of dog you get, your lifestyle, and other various factors, they’ll generally include:

• Food and water bowls

• Crate, pens, and gates

• Collars and ID tags

• Leashes

• Beds

• Brush, nail trimmers, and other at-home grooming supplies

Recurring dog expenses

Even more significant than the one-time costs of pet ownership are the recurring expenses. These costs come up month after month and year after year, so it’s important to include these in your budget. These costs can vary depending on your dog type, lifestyle, and other factors. Here are some costs to consider:^[2]

• 

  Food

  The cost of dog food depends on your dog’s size and breed, any specific needs for its diet, and the type and brand of food you buy. In general, you’ll pay between $200 and $750 per year for food.

• 

  Grooming

  Grooming is an optional expense for some dogs but a necessary expense for others. You could pay as little as $100 for the year for at-home grooming supplies but as much as $1,200 per year for professional grooming.

• 

  Toys and treats

  Toys and treats are an expense you can spend as much or as little as you want on. Many dog owners spend between $200 and $500 per year.

• 

  Boarding, dog walking, and pet sitting

  Hiring out some of your pet care to dog walkers, pet sitters, and boarding facilities is entirely optional, but it’s an expense many owners choose. A dog walker can cost between $15 and $50 per hour, while dog boarding or sitting can cost between $45 and $75 per night.

• 

  Ongoing training

  While ongoing training isn’t required, if you choose to take on this expense, you could spend about $250 per year.

Medical costs for dogs

No matter what type of dog you have, veterinary care will be one of your most consistent expenses. Even if your furry friend is perfectly healthy, you’ll still have costs related to preventive care, including routine veterinary visits, vaccinations, flea and tick prevention, and more.

First, a routine veterinary visit can range from $50 to about $250. You may have more frequent vet visits in your pet’s first year but then less frequent visits later on. Additionally, you’ll need to pay for various vaccinations and preventative medications, which result in both monthly and annual expenses.

Flea and tick prevention and heartworm prevention medications are often monthly expenses that can range from less than $10 to nearly $30 per month. Meanwhile, routine vaccinations, which include rabies, Bordetella, Lyme, and more, can range from $20 to $60 each.

Overall, your dog’s annual medical care can cost between $600 and $1,150 per year.

Pet insurance costs for a dog

Many pet owners choose to purchase pet insurance, which can offset some of their veterinary costs. Most pet health insurance policies cover unexpected costs related to accidents and illnesses, but many have optional add-ons for routine vet care.

On average, pet insurance for dogs costs about $56 per month. This includes only coverage for accidents and illnesses — it doesn’t cover routine veterinary care. For that, you’ll pay a bit more. Pet insurance costs depend on several factors, including your pet’s age, breed, and location.

While pet insurance is another line item in your budget, it can be a good idea and may save you thousands or tens of thousands of dollars if your pet gets a serious injury or illness. Pet insurance plans are often customizable, allowing you to choose your own deductible, reimbursement rate, and annual out-of-pocket maximum, all of which affect your premiums.

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Unexpected dog ownership costs

It’s relatively easy to budget for the recurring costs of pet ownership, but plenty of unexpected costs can arise in emergencies. Some of these unexpected costs may be one-time incidents, while others can be chronic illnesses that require ongoing medical care.

If your dog gets an injury or illness and you don’t have pet insurance, you could face significant out-of-pocket costs. Some treatments are more affordable. An IV catheter, fluids, and certain medications usually cost less than $100. On the other hand, you could pay thousands of dollars for oxygen therapy, severe wound treatment, or surgery. Emergency surgery could cost you up to $5,000.

While veterinary expenses are among the most common unexpected expenses, they aren’t the only ones. For example, a family emergency could result in you having to board your dog for a period of time. Boarding can cost anywhere from less than $100 for one night to hundreds of dollars for an extended stay.

A final unexpected cost to consider is end-of-life care, which can include hospice care, euthanization, cremation, and more. These expenses can cost hundreds to upwards of $1,000 in total.

Because these expenses can be so unpredictable, it’s important to have an emergency fund in place to help avoid going into debt to care for your pet.

Common health issues in dogs

Every dog breed has its own health issues, and it’s important to educate yourself on what to look out for when you add a dog to your family. Plenty of health problems are common across breeds, too. Here are some health issues to look out for:^[3]

• Allergies: Many dogs suffer from allergies, resulting in irritated skin, redness, itching, and scaliness. You can manage your dog’s allergies with medication.

• Arthritis: Arthritis is a common health condition, especially for older dogs. You can treat arthritis in dogs with both medication and physical therapy.

• Dental issues: The majority of dogs deal with some form of dental disease in their lives. Regular dental care prevents dental disease, but you may eventually have to remove some of your dog’s teeth.

• Ear infections: Many dogs suffer from ear infections, which allergies, autoimmune diseases, and more can cause. They can usually be treated with antibiotics and clear up quickly.

• Gastrointestinal issues: Many dogs suffer from gastrointestinal issues at some point, which can result in vomiting or diarrhea. These are often a result of ingesting something they shouldn’t but can also be a sign of something more serious.

• Obesity: Obesity is a common condition in dogs, and it can result in other medical conditions that can be costly for you and painful for your dog. Luckily, it’s possible to prevent it through exercise and proper nutrition.

• Parasites: Dogs are prone to certain types of parasites, including heartworms, fleas, ticks, and more. Preventative medications exist for many parasites, as well as medications to help treat them.

• Skin conditions: In addition to skin allergies, dogs can suffer from other skin issues, including infections, tumors, hot spots, and more. The proper treatment depends on the type of condition.

• UTIs: Dogs can suffer from urinary tract infections (UTIs), which may result in your dog drinking more water and urinating more often. UTIs can usually be treated with antibiotics but can be a sign of another condition.

Dog ownership cost FAQs