True Cost of Owning a Pet

by Dr. Chris

Owning a pet can be a lot of fun, but it also takes money to properly care for them. With today's economy more and more people are struggling to pay their bills and care for their pets.

Recently the ASPCA calculated the average costs for the first year of pet ownership and the annual expenses.

Initial Expenses

Spay/Neuter: Dog $205, Cat $150
1st Medical Exam: Dog $100, Cat $80
Collars: Dog $15, Cat $5
Litter Boxes: $15
Cat Scratching Post: $15
Dog Crate: $100
Transport Crate: Dog $50, Cat $30
Dog Training: Dog $100

Total Initial Expenses: Dog $570, Cat $275

Yearly Expenses

Food: Dog $150, Cat $120
Annual Checkups: Dog $250, Cat $180
Cat Litter: $150
Treats & Toys: Dog $80, Cat $30
Dog License: Dog $20
Pet Insurance: Dog $240, Cat $180
Misc.: Dog $50, Cat $40

1st Year Ownership Expenses: Dog $790, Cat $700

Now of course these numbers can vary greatly depending on what food you buy and how often you have to take your pet to the veterinary clinic, etc.

For these calculations, the ASPCA also included pet insurance expenses, which not all people have either.