When I first wrote this post in 2018, I had 5 in-house pets, two dogs and three cats. In the past two years, I’ve lost two of those much-loved buddies. Now all of my current pets are seniors. And I am on the verge of bringing one or two new guys in to join our zoo. And it seemed like a good time to update and expand this article to reflect my changing situation and the current state of things.
$219.
That was the vet bill today for annual routine vet visits for my two dogs 8 years ago. Last week, I took one of those same dogs for a quick sick visit… and weirdly the bill was $219 again.
But back in April, I took him to his annual checkup and shelled out $378! Granted, that included “senior panel” bloodwork which ran $235.
My senior cat’s annual visit was equally pricey, $362 back in February.
So in the past 3 months, I spend $959 on vet visits for 2 pets. And I have another cat going for his annual in June.
I’ve always had pets, and I know they have their own expenses. And as I’m writing this it’s hitting me just how much I spend on these guys every year. Of course, they’re more than worth it. But these costs do add up, especially as pets get older.
So it’s important to include them in the budget. And even go a step further to keep a pet emergency savings account just in case.
Pets Come with Costs
Pet care expenses are rising faster than inflation, going up at a rate of about 7.43% per year. And that has a lot of pet owners worried.
Dogs
According to a report by Rover.com, the initial costs of bringing a dog home run between $1,150 to $4,420.
That includes all the one-time costs involved when you first get a dog, such as
- Adoption fees
- Spaying/neutering
- Microchipping
- Training fees
- Essentials like bowls, toys, leash and collar, and a crate
- First time food, treats, and preventives (for fleas, ticks, and heartworms)
- Poop bags
Then you have the standard ongoing costs of caring for a dog, like food, treats, grooming, preventives (for fleas, ticks, and heartworms) and routine vet visits. The Rover report estimates that overall average annual expenses can run between $1,390 and $5,295. Your dog’s breed, size, and age definitely factor into those costs. For example, large dogs can cost nearly 4 times as much to care for as toy or small breeds.
Cats
Cats may generally cost less than dogs, but their expenses can really add up as well. And some cats (I’m looking at you Ziti) can end up costing much more than you’d expect.
Initial costs – for your first cat, anyway – can be as high as $2,715 (according to Rover.com). That includes a lot of the same things you’d need for a new dog like adoption fees, spaying/neutering, microchipping, and initial vet visit. Cat-specific items include:
- Litterbox(es) – the general rule is one per cat plus one (unless you like pee sprayed all over your house)
- Scratching post
- Kitty condo
- Cat carrier
- Nail clipper (and you might want to stock up on Band-Aids for yourself if you’ve never done this before)
For the ongoing costs, these also mirror recurring expenses for dogs:
- Food and treats
- Toys
- Annual vet visits
- Vaccines
- Preventives (just flea and tick – usually more important for outdoor cats)
- Litter
Overall, regular annual costs span from an average $830 to $3,095 depending on your cat’s age and overall health situation.
Budget for the Big Stuff
Even routine costs can add up when it comes to pet care. Annual wellness visits usually include at least vaccines and stool sample, and possibly additional testing depending on your pet’s age and health situation.
An annual teeth cleaning – which requires anesthesia – for a dog or cat can cost more than $1,000, and that’s when everything looks good.
And bills pile up even faster when you add in frantic, expensive trips to the emergency vet. Those visits range from $250 for just walking in the door to as much as $5,000 depending on the emergency treatment.
Daily dog walkers and doggie day care can add hundreds of dollars a week into your budget.
Boarding or pet sitting services when you go on vacation come up only occasionally, but they can put a big dent in your travel funds.
Costs Most People Don’t Think About
On top of the many obvious pet expenses we’ve talked about, there are a few that hardly ever get mentioned. But they’re definitely worth thinking about in relation to your total pet costs.
- pet deposits for rentals
- extra monthly pet fees tacked on to rent
- replacement shoes, cushions, and the many other items that get chewed, eaten, or scratched
- higher homeowners or renters insurance costs for dog owners
These costs vary widely based on your personal situation, but it’s important to consider them when constructing a pet-friendly budget.
If You Have Pets, You Need a Pet Budget
So if you have pets or you’re thinking about getting a pet – no matter what kind it is – create an itemized pet budget. You’ll want to include all the “startup costs” if you’re getting a new pet/species for your home, the regular ongoing maintenance expenses, and those once-in-a-while costs that can throw your finances out of whack. I’ve made it easy for you with my Pet Owner’s Budget Worksheet.
Once you’ve figured out your true pet budget, it can fold into your regular household budget. But it’s important to look at the individual expenses for your pets rather than a single – and usually underestimated – line item in your main budget.
Click on the button below to get your Pet Owner’s Budget Worksheet now
Now you also have a good basis to set up a pet emergency fund, generally at least $300 to $1,200, depending on your pet. You can keep that separate – I do – or add it into your general emergency fund.
Bottom line: If a pet is part of your family, make sure to include every pet expense you can think of in the family budget. You never want to be in a situation where you have to choose between lifesaving pet care or next month’s rent.