The cost of owning a dog in 2024

The joy of owning a dog is priceless — until you look at the price tags. As much as we love our fur babies, it’s no secret that they can rack up quite a bill over time. The average monthly cost of caring for an adult dog in 2024 is between $40 and $300, and owners can expect to spend $500 to $5,000 each year. 

Every pooch is different, and each comes with a different set of needs. That said, there are some necessities that all dogs share, especially when it comes to first-year care like microchipping, spaying or neutering, and training. Let’s take a look at the typical expenses associated with owning a dog in 2024.

The first year with a dog is typically the most expensive — especially when you count the cost of immunizations and supplies like crates and puppy toys.

On average, our experts estimate that new pet owners should expect to spend between $750 and $1,400 in year one of a small breed’s life, and $1,000 to $1,800 for large breeds.

Let’s take a closer look at the breakdown of this amount, estimating the cost of each common new dog expenses:

If you don’t already have a dog, it may be a good idea to first familiarize yourself with the role a pup’s breed plays in their average cost of care before getting one. 

While every dog is unique, a breed’s susceptibility to certain health conditions can contribute to their overall needs. Let’s take a look at how health issues associated with different breeds impact dog ownership expenses:

• Allergies. Dogs susceptible to seasonal allergies can require medications like Apoquel or Cytopoint, which cost $50 to $75 depending on the dosage. Breeds that tend to develop allergies include pit bulls, Shih tzus, and Dalmations.
• Anxiety. Some dog breeds can be prone to stress and anxiety. As a result, you may have to hire a professional trainer to help with separation anxiety, or a pet sitter to supervise your pup when you are away. You may also need to put them on anxiety medication, which can be an extra $30 a month. Dogs prone to anxiety include border collies, bichon frisés, and Jack Russell Terriers.
• Diabetes. Labrador retrievers, cocker spaniels, miniature schnauzers, and Pomeranians are just a few of the dogs considered to be prone to diabetes. Diagnosis can be as much as $500, and insulin is between $50 and $150 a month.
• Dental disease. Plaque buildup, fractured teeth, and Periodontal disease are just a few of the oral conditions dogs can exhibit in their lifetimes. Not all insurance plans cover professional cleanings, which are $500 to $1,000 on average. Breeds that commonly exhibit dental issues include mastiffs, Yorkies, and Chihuahuas.
• Brachycephalic syndrome. Dogs with narrow nostrils and flat faces can experience brachycephalic syndrome, a condition that can make their breathing difficult. Pugs, boxers, and Shar-Peis are among the breeds that tend to suffer from airway issues.
• Hip dysplasia. While this joint issue is most common in larger pups, some small breeds are prone to hip dysplasia as well. Total hip replacement (THR) surgery can range from $3,500 to $7,000 per hip, and even without surgery they’ll be on medications and supplements with varying costs. Dogs that are considered at risk of hip dysplasia include German shepherds, French bulldogs, and Saint Bernards.
• Cancer. While every dog is at risk of cancer, there are breeds that are considered predisposed to it. Chemo costs can get as high as $10,000, so it’s certainly something potential owners should take into account. Dogs that are most susceptible to cancer include golden retrievers, Scottish terriers, and Irish wolfhounds.

Try not to let all these numbers crush your dreams of being a dog owner. Having a dog is certainly expensive, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t steps you can take to drive down costs. 

Here’s a look at a few ways to make owning a dog more affordable:

Enroll in pet insurance

While the monthly premiums may be discouraging, signing up for pet insurance can save you a ton of money on veterinary care in the long run.

You will need to pay these costs upfront; however, you can later submit a claim for money back on accidents and illnesses covered by your insurance. Be sure to enroll early before any health issues arise, or else it will be considered a pre-existing condition. 

🚨Like humans, insurance doesn’t kick in right away — so the sooner you enroll your pup, the sooner they’ll be protected.

Develop a budget

Putting together a budget for your canine pal can help you stay on top of saving for any needs your dog might have, especially if you don’t have pet insurance.  There are plenty of ways to do this, like opening a credit card designated for pet care, or a separate account you use to set aside money each month.

Practice routine pet care

“Keep up to date on routine pet care,” says veterinarian Dr. Liza Cahn. “This includes yearly wellness exams, vaccines, parasite prevention, and screening tests. This can help prevent and catch issues earlier when they are easier and less costly to treat.” Incorporating preventative care into your daily routine can greatly reduce costs, like teeth cleanings that prevent the need for extractions or heartworm medication that reduces the risk of parasites.

Search for free and secondhand supplies

Stocking up on toys, treats, and other dog gear doesn’t have to break the bank. Secondhand pet supply stores are a great resource for used or discounted dog goodies, and so are other pet owners in your life. There’s no shame in hand-me-down toys, as dogs tend to love the scent of the pups that played with them previously!

DIY grooming

Aside from the cost of shampoo and the slight spike in your water bill, grooming your dog at home is a free and effective way to keep your pup clean. You can also cut their nails and clean their ears. If you don’t have a bathtub or large enough sink at home, there are DIY facilities where you can take your dog to wash them yourself, still allowing you to save on cleaning costs.

Keep your dog out of danger

What better way to avoid spending thousands of dollars treating a dog’s injury than to take steps that prevent them from getting injured in the first place? While accidents happen and some are unavoidable, there are steps you can take to mitigate the risk of your furry friend getting badly hurt. 

Our tips:

Train your dog to be off-leash — Letting your dog off-leash in an unenclosed area without proper training can set them up for injuries like getting hit by a car.

Teach them to “leave it” — A simple “leave it” command can go a long way in keeping your pooch from ingesting potentially toxic items on the ground during your daily strolls. While a “drop it” command can also be effective, it should only be used if a “leave it” command fails.

Be wary of other dogs — Even if your dog is well-trained, they can still get hurt by other dogs they interact with that may not be aggressive or not up to date on their shots.

Adopt, don’t shop

Rescuing a dog not only provides a home to a pup in the shelter system, but it is leaps and bounds more affordable than going through a breeder. This option can save you a ton of money on upfront costs, as your pet could’ve already been microchipped, fixed, and vaccinated. In the cases of older dogs, they may even already be well-trained, which gets you out of having to put up more money for a trainer.

Owning a dog is a pricey endeavor in 2024. Luckily, there are resources out there to offset costs. Once you’ve decided to find a furry friend, you can take confidence in the fact that at the end of the process, you’ll have a soft forever friend in your lap — and for many, that makes it all worth it.