Some people return their pets because of behavioral issues or medical complications, but financial stress is another common reason individuals choose to give up their furballs. Adoption fees can be reasonable — anywhere from $39 to $317 for cats and $129 to $767 for dogs — especially when compared to breeder fees. However, there are a number of additional costs you’ll need to prepare for before you bring a new pet home.
Below is a comprehensive breakdown of all the costs you should expect to pay for your new pet.
How much does a cat cost?
One-time costs
Adoption fee – $40 to $300
Adoption fees fluctuate based on a variety of factors, including location, age, breed, and medical conditions. Plus, they often include a number of additional costs, such as vaccines, spay/neuter surgery, deworming, a veterinary exam, and microchipping.
Vaccination – $65 to $200 annually
You’ll likely pay a little more for your cat’s first-year vaccines ($100 to $200). Fortunately, adoption fees typically include some vaccines, such as rabies ($20 to $30) and FVRCP ($20 to $40).
Spay/neuter surgery – $150 on average
The cost to spay or neuter your cat ranges from $50 all the way up to $500, based on a number of factors, such as fixing a female cat generally costs more than a male.
Animal shelters typically charge less to spay or neuter pets than private veterinary clinics, and some charities also provide low-cost spay/neuter services.
Licensing – $0 to $60 annually
License fees cost less for spayed or neutered cats. Location can impact this cost as some states do not require a license for cats. In others, you can opt for a lifetime license instead of annual licensing fees.
Microchip – $45 on average
Most cats available for adoption will already have a microchip (this is typically included in the adoption fee).
Initial supplies – $86 to $580
When you first bring home your cat you’ll probably want to provide some comforts, such as:
- Litter box – $6 to $350
- Collar – $20 to $50
- Bed – $15 to $50
- Crate – $20 to $40
- Scratching post – $15 to $50
- Bowls for food and water – $10 to $40
Based on these cost breakdowns for initial cat ownership, your first year may cost anywhere from $386 to $1,335.
We suggest budgeting a minimum of $1,000.
Annual costs
Cat Food – $120 to $500
Depending on the brand you buy you could be spending up to $500 a year on cat food.
Toys and Treats – $30 to $100
Laser pointer, stuffed fish on a string, a little catnip. You’ll likely buy Fluffy something to keep them occupied.
Litter – $30 to $300
Additional costs might include litter box liners ($18 per year), a vacuum for the litter box area ($35 per year), a litter mat ($25 per year), etc.
Medical Expenses – $100 to $750
This cost encompasses routine medical expenses, such as veterinary checkups, dental care, and vaccines.
Insurance – $108 to $360
Pet insurance acts like health insurance for your cat. Buying this can reduce your overall medical expenses. Here are our top recommendations for pet insurance.
Based on these cost breakdowns for annual cat ownership, your annual expenses may cost anywhere from $388 to $2,010.
We suggest budgeting a minimum of $1,000 annually.
How much does a dog cost?
One-time costs
Adoption fee – $100 to $800
Adoption fees fluctuate based on a variety of factors, including location, age, breed, and medical conditions. They often include a number of additional costs, such as vaccines, spay/neuter surgery, deworming, a veterinary exam, and microchipping.
Vaccination – $115 to $230 annually
You’ll likely pay a little more for your dog’s first-year vaccines ($100 to $200). Fortunately, adoption fees typically include some vaccines, such as rabies ($20 to $30) and DHPP vaccine ($20 to $60).
Spay/neuter surgery – $35 to $500
It typically costs more to spay a female dog than to neuter a male. The size of your pet also impacts the cost, since a larger dog will require more anesthesia. Animal shelters typically charge less to spay or neuter pets than private veterinary clinics, and some charities provide low-cost spay/neuter programs.
Licensing – $0 to $150 annually (may include microchip)
License fees cost less for spayed or neutered dogs. Location can impact this cost as some states do not require a license for dogs. In others, you can opt for a lifetime license instead of annual licensing fees.
Microchip – $50 on average
Most dogs available for adoption will already have a microchip (this is typically included in the adoption fee).
Training – $30 to $1,250
Obedience class prices vary considerably for dogs, depending on the dog (age, behavior, etc.), class (private or group session), and more.
Initial supplies – $90 to $290
When you bring home your new pup you’ll need a few supplies to keep them happy and comfortable.
- Collar, harness, and leash – $30 to $75
- Bed – $20 to $75
- Bowls for food and water – $10 to $40
- Crate (optional) – $30 to $100
Based on these cost breakdowns for initial dog ownership, your first year may cost anywhere from $420 to $3,270.
We suggest budgeting a minimum of $2,000.
Annual costs
Dog food – $120 to $900
The type and brand of food you buy will impact your costs but plan to spend between $120 and $900 per year on food.
Toys and treats – $30 to $200
No one loves treats more than a dog so it’s pretty easy to spend a few hundred dollars on snacks.
Medical expenses – $750 to $1,750
This cost encompasses routine medical expenses, such as veterinary checkups, dental care, and vaccines.
Insurance – $280 to $1,030
Pet insurance works like health insurance for dogs. Buying it can help keep medical expenses in check. Here’s our list of top pet insurance companies.
Additional supplies – $30 to $250
You’ll need things like poop bags, brushes, shampoo, and to replace that blanket your dog has commandeered.
Based on these cost breakdowns for annual dog ownership, your annual expenses may cost anywhere from $1,210 to $4,130.
We suggest budgeting a minimum of $2,500 annually.
How to prepare for the unexpected
Even if you have the funds for everything from your pet’s food to their vet checkups, make sure you’re also ready for the potential unexpected costs you may incur as a pet owner.
Budget Accordingly
First things first: Budget for your new pet.
Move a set amount into a savings account each month to cover all anticipated expenses. When it’s time to buy a new bag of food, you’ll have money allocated for that purpose. When you want to splurge on a new bag of treats, you can check your budget and make sure there’s money available.
After your first year of pet ownership, consider setting aside at least $80 every month for your cat or $200 for your dog.
Take a look at Money Under 30’s free budget spreadsheet as a good starting point for creating your revised budget.
Build your emergency fund
Ideally, the savings account you create for routine pet expenses will cover everything your furry friend will ever need. However, accidents do happen, and an emergency vet visit can cost as much as $5,000 — and sometimes even more!
Every pet parent should have an emergency fund for unexpected expenses. Your emergency fund can cover everything from a surprise surgery to a flat tire. Consider opening high-yield savings account for your emergency fund, so your money can grow while it sits.
Pay for pet insurance
Another easy way to protect yourself from surprise costs for your pet is with insurance.
Pet insurance provides an excellent safety net for dog and cat owners. The cost is relatively low — roughly $45 per month for dogs and $25 per month for cats — but the benefits can be significant if/when unexpected expenses occur.
Summary
Owning a pet is a serious commitment and one you should prepare for long before you’ve signed adoption papers. One of the most important steps you can take to prepare for this commitment is to budget for your pet.
Between the adoption fee, veterinary exam, pet bed, collar, and more, your first year of ownership will likely cost a little more than your general annual expenses. If you adopt a puppy or kitten, expect those costs to be even higher. However, after year one, a consistent budget of $100 or $200 per month should be sufficient to cover everything from treats to treatments.
