People want a dog for all sorts of reasons, but don’t want to think so much about the cost of owning a dog. Some want dogs for companionship, to complete their family or to encourage a healthy lifestyle. Not to mention the unrivaled comedy, sofa snuggles and welcome homes that only man’s best friend can provide.
And while you truly can’t put a price on all that warm and fuzzy stuff and the best things about owning a dog, you do need to be realistic. It would be naive at best to focus purely on the Hallmark version of dog ownership when considering bringing any pet – let alone one of the more high maintenance dog breeds – into your life.
To that end, we decided to do a deep dive into the true cost of owning a dog. And for expert guidance, we spoke with experienced vet Dr. Rebecca MacMillan.
Why is it important to know the cost of owning a dog?
“Owners must be realistic about their budget when choosing a pet. Ensuring you have enough funds in place will make pet ownership far less stressful for you, as well as guarantee you can provide the best care possible for your furry family member,” says Dr. MacMillan.
And if you don’t run the numbers first? That way lies pain.
“Sadly, some owners don’t run the sums in advance and then come unstuck. This can lead to heartbreak later down the line, so it is best to be sensible and run the calculations before committing.”
But you strike us as the sensible sort, already researching the cost of owning a dog. So let's get on with it and find out just how much your future best friend is going to set you back…
What is the lifetime cost of a dog?
Google “lifetime cost of a dog” and you’ll be inundated with all sorts of figures from as low as $5,500 to $35,000, and even more. Why the disparity? There is no one correct answer here, it’s influenced by all sorts of factors from the breed you choose, to the health of your dog and his or her tastebuds – and even where you live.
With that in mind, we’ve broken down the costs below so you can get a more granular look at the costs involved in every stage of becoming a dog owner. We’ve included a range, as in many cases – though not all – there are budget, typical and expensive options.
Take collars, for exmample. You could get the cheapest nylon variety on amazon or splash out on an engraved leather bespoke piece. Equally, if you’ve had a dog before and have hand-me-downs ready from friends and family, then your start up costs will likely be lower.
Initial costs of getting a dog
Before you even bring pooch home, you need to spend some money on the basics. Not least, the dog! “There are multiple costs to consider when considering a new dog. The first is the cost of the dog itself. Even when adopting a rescue dog there may be a fee involved. Many shelters are charities and will need to recoup some of their costs,” says Dr. MacMillan.
And then there are the bare bones you’ll need to meet your dog's basic needs like comfort and nutrition. You’ll need to make sure your dog has access to the five freedoms in order to be a good dog owner.
“You will also need to budget for all your essentials, such as a dog bed, leash, harness, toys, and food bowls. Don’t forget you may also need to spend some money on dog-proofing your home with baby gates and fencing repairs, plus fitting appropriate safety devices to your vehicle like a dog guard,” adds Dr. MacMillan.
| Item | Budget | Average | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dog | $50 | $250 | $500 |
| Dog bed | $20 | $50 | $100 |
| Collar | $10 | $25 | $65 |
| Leash | $10 | $30 | $75 |
| Harness | $15 | $30 | $60 |
| Toys | $5 | $50 | $100 |
| Food bowls | $10 | $30 | $60 |
| Baby gates | $30 | $50 | $100 |
| Vehicle dog guard | $45 | $75 | $150 |
| Total | $195 | $590 | $1,210 |
Ongoing costs of having a dog
“As well as one-off costs, you will need to think about budgeting for ongoing things such as food, pet insurance, and routine veterinary care,” says Dr. MacMillan. “Anti-parasite treatment and grooming will also be essential to your pet’s welfare. Even regularly replacing worn toys, bedding, and collars will need to factor somewhere in your calculations,” she adds.
With that in mind, below we’ll take a look at the monthly cost of ongoing dog care.
| Product | Budget | Average | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pet insurance | $20 | $50 | $100 |
| Routine healthcare (fleas, worming, vaccination etc.) | $30 | $50 | $150 |
| Food | $50 | $150 | $400 |
| Treats | $0 | $20 | $50 |
| Poo bags | $1 | $5 | $10 |
| Grooming | $0 | $50 | $200 |
| Toy/ball replacements | $1 | $20 | $50 |
| Total | $102 | $345 | $960 |
Unexpected extra costs of dog ownership
So you’ve paid for the dog, the basic set-up and you know what your outlay looks like each month. You’re golden, right? Not quite so fast! Life can be unpredictable and there are a few extra hidden costs you might want to consider before committing to a dog for life.
“Depending on your lifestyle you may also need to think about the costs of kennel or dog sitter fees for holidays and dog walkers for when you are out at work. All these things can be realistically worked out upfront. However, there will always be unexpected costs that occur during pet ownership,” says Dr. MacMillan.
Before you commit to a dog, have a think about your lifestyle and examine where you might need to spend more money. If you work long hours or take lots of vacations, it could add up.
And while you can’t plan for unexpected costs, you can be aware of their existence.
“A few examples of unexpected costs that could crop up not only include sudden vet bills, but the need for things like specialist behavioral training or a change of diet for a health condition,” she adds.
While the companionship of a dog is truly priceless, it’s wise to check the numbers add up first. Being a loving owner means making sure you can commit to your new dog for life, and to do that you need to be able to pay for his or her existence now and for the duration of your pups life.
Thinking about getting a puppy? Here are some tips for first-time dog owners, and here are reasons to adopt a dog
Rebecca is a veterinary surgeon who graduated in 2009 from the Royal Veterinary College in London. She has a wealth of experience in first opinion small animal practice, having done a mixture of day-to-day routine work, on-call emergency duties and managerial roles over the years. She enjoys medicine in particular and she is proud to have recently achieved a BSAVA postgraduate certificate in small animal medicine (with commendation). She writes on various feline and canine topics, including behavior, nutrition, and health. Outside of work and writing she enjoys walking her own dog, spending time with her young family and baking!
