If you are new to puppy ownership, you might not know how much pets actually cost. Man’s best friend has to eat, sleep, and go to the doctor, just like you - and that costs money. You shouldn’t be caught off guard with a pet that you can’t afford, so we’ve put together this helpful guide so you can make an informed decision before adopting a puppy.
The Overall Cost of Owning a Dog
To own a dog, you’ll have to pay a one-time adoption fee and then pay recurring expenses. Adoption fees can range from $50 to $400 for a mutt at a shelter, or $1,000 to $4,000+ for a purebred puppy from a reputable breeder. The rarer the breed, the higher the fee. According to Synchrony, the average annual cost of owning a dog is between $1,270 and $2,803. Over a 15-year lifespan, that’s $19,893 to $55,132. Those expenses include food, healthcare, toys, supplies, and cleaning products.
The Cost of Feeding a Dog
Your dog needs to be fed twice a day, or four times as a puppy, and the cost of kibble can add up over a year. Expect to pay around $434 to $684 each year for dog food. This doesn’t include the occasional bone, just their daily meals. The cost of food differs based on the size of your dog; small dogs weighing 13 lbs only need 1 ⅓ cup of food but larger dogs weighing 75 lbs need 4 ¼ cups of food. You’ll also be spending more money if your dog needs prescription dog food due to a medical condition.
Health-Related Expenses of Dogs
As your dog progresses through different stages in its life, you’ll have different health-related expenses to pay. The average cost of medical expenses is between $534 and $1,285. This includes vet visits, vaccinations, and other medications. When they are puppies and in their senior years, you can expect to pay more than when your dogs are fully grown and middle-aged.
The Cost of Treats, Toys, & Grooming
For the other miscellaneous items and services that aren’t necessary but are nice to have for your dog, you can expect to pay between $231 to $551 each year. This includes dog bones and other treats, tennis balls, chew toys and other toys, dog beds, and grooming services. If you’d like to save a little bit of money on grooming, adopt a breed that doesn’t require grooming, or learn how to groom your pup yourself - it’s a great bonding experience!
How Much It Costs to Clean Up After Your Dog
If you’ve owned a pet before, you know that they can be a mess sometimes. Before they are housebroken, they’ll have accidents on the floor. Even when they’re older, you’ll have fur and drool on your floor and furniture that needs regular cleaning (depending on the breed - some breeds don’t shed). The average cost to clean up after your pooch is between $70 and $283.
Adopt a New Best Friend Today
So, now that you’re prepared with the knowledge of how much it costs to own a dog, are you ready to adopt? Consider adopting from a reputable breeder on Lancaster Puppies. We provide you with helpful information on every breed, like size and amount of shedding, so you can get an even better understanding of how much it will cost to feed and clean up after your new dog.