The Average Dog Now Costs Roughly $35,000 Over Its Lifetime
A dog is a member of the family, but your furry friend can also take a large chunk out of your budget.
The average lifetime cost of caring for a 10-year-old dog is approximately $34,550, according to Rover’s 2025 report on the cost of pet parenthood. That comes to roughly $3,500 per year, or almost $300 per month. Food, vet care and daily essentials all add up. If you want to get a dog in the future, here’s what you should know about how it will impact your finances.
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The cost of getting a dog
The first cost you’ll incur is for getting your dog, whether it’s via an adoption center or breeder. You will also have upfront costs like dog bowls, a leash, crate, a vet visit and potentially even putting up a fence.
The upfront cost of welcoming a new dog home can range from $1,150 to $4,420, according to Rover. If you adopt your dog, some essentials — like getting vaccines and spay or neutering — may be covered.
Then, you will have regular expenses like food and annual vet visits. It’s a steady financial commitment over many years. While a dog can provide lifelong memories, it’s important to consider how you will budget for a pet before making that type of commitment.
Much of the money you spend on a dog will go toward food and treats: 69% of respondents to Rover’s survey said that’s where that’s where a majority of their budget goes. One-third of those respondents said they cut spending in other areas of their lives, such as groceries and entertainment, to ensure their pets’ needs are covered.
Vet bills are another area where you may end up spending a lot, and those costs can often be a surprise, like if your pet gets sick or injured.
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How to prepare for high costs
Many pet owners set aside money in an emergency savings account for unexpected costs, such as unplanned veterinary visits. That can be a good way to make sure you can cover any surprises without hurting your overall finances. Keeping this money in a high-yield savings account means it can still generate interest. But it’s often easier to plan for annual exams, dental care, age-related care and other predictable costs, and work these costs into your general budget. You can also consider pet insurance, which can keep costs of surprise medical issues down. Keep in mind that caring for a dog can become more costly as your pet gets older, since they’ll likely need more attention from the vet.
You may also have to spend money on toys, leashes, crates, grooming, training, boarding and pet sitting. While these costs don’t show up every single month, they will add up over time. Some of these are one-off purchases, but it's still best to plan for them.