Budgeting for a New Pet: 10 Expenses to Consider [Calculator]

Pet budgeting calculator

You can use this calculator to help you estimate the initial and yearly costs of owning your pet. Costs for things like flea treatments, pet insurance, pet sitting, etc. are based on national averages. 

1. Adoption or purchase costs

The first thing to consider is where that new pet is coming from. Unless you find one on the street, you’re likely paying an adoption fee at a shelter or paying for a pet from a breeder or store. These costs can vary widely depending on the type of pet, breed, age and where you live. Here are some very general guidelines. 

• Shelter Adoption Fees: $50 - $300 (varies by location and type of pet)
• Breeder Costs: $500 - $5,000+ (varies by breed and pedigree)
• Rescue Organizations: $100 - $500

2. Initial vet costs

One of the first things you will want to do is take your new pet to the vet to make sure it’s healthy. If you’re adopting a puppy or kitten, you also may need to get them their initial shots and possibly get them spayed or neutered if the breeder or shelter hasn’t already done so. You might also consider microchipping your pet so you will be more likely to have them returned to you if they ever get lost. 

• First Vet Visit: $50 - $150
• Vaccinations: $75 - $200 (initial round)
• Spay/Neuter Surgery: $150 - $500
• Microchipping: $25 - $75

3. Recurring vet costs

Beyond that initial vet visit, you should expect to have the money set aside to cover ongoing medical costs for your vet. Again, your pet's medical needs will depend on what kind of animal you have, their age, and their overall health. However, remember that emergencies can happen at any age, so it’s good to be prepared so you aren’t forced to make a difficult decision because of a lack of funds. Pet insurance can also be a good option to cover unexpected medical expenses by paying a small monthly fee. 

• Annual Check-Ups: $100 - $300
• Vaccination Boosters: $50 - $150 per year
• Flea/Tick/Heartworm Prevention: $100 - $300 per year
• Emergency Vet Visits: $500 - $5,000 (varies widely depending on condition)

4. Food

How much your new pet eats will depend on what type of animal you have and their size. There are also big ranges in food quality/cost from cheaper dry kibble up to organic raw food. 

• Dog Food: $250 - $700 per year (depends on size and dietary needs)
• Cat Food: $200 - $500 per year
• Treats & Supplements: $50 - $300 per year

5. Supplies and gear

A lot of these are start-up costs like buying your new dog a bed or kennel and a leash or harness or a litter box for your car. However, some gear costs will be recurrent, like buying cat litter and new toys. 

• Collar, Leash, ID Tags: $20 - $50
• Food & Water Bowls: $10 - $50
• Bedding & Crate: $50 - $200
• Litter Box & Litter (for cats): $150 - $250 per year
• Toys & Enrichment Items: $50 - $200 per year

6. Training and socialization

This one’s mostly for dog owners as anyone who has tried to train a cat (or fish or reptile) knows. However, costs for dog training can be substantial. And if you have a dog with particularly problematic behavior, the costs can be even higher. 

• Basic Obedience Training: $100 - $500 (group classes or private sessions)
• Advanced Training: $300 - $1,000+
• Behavioral Training (if needed): $100 - $1,500+ (varies by issue severity)

7. Grooming and hygiene

This one is again mostly for the dogs out there, and then only for certain breeds, but grooming costs can add up. Both cats and dogs may need professional dental care to keep their teeth healthy. 

• Basic Grooming (Brushes, Shampoo, Nail Clippers): $50 - $150 per year
• Professional Grooming (Dogs): $30 - $90 per session, 4-12 times per year
• Dental Care (Professional Cleaning): $200 - $800 per year

8. Pet sitting and boarding

Should you ever want to travel without your new pet, you’ll need to employ pet sitting services to look in on them or boarding at a kennel or pet hotel. The cost of pet sitting can be low if you use a neighbor or friend, but it’s still work considering how that will fit into your budget, especially if you have to frequently travel for work or pleasure. 

• Pet Sitting Services: $20 - $50 per visit
• Boarding (Kennels or Pet Hotels): $25 - $75 per night

9. Miscellaneous costs

Pets bring joy, but also sometimes great chaos. It’s important to be thoughtful about the unexpected consequences they may bring into your life. For example, some pets, especially young ones, may scratch or chew up your furniture or shoes. If you are a renter, you should also consider the cost of any deposits you will need to pay. And remember that some landlords or buildings have restrictions against certain breeds for insurance reasons. 

• Home Repairs (due to pet damage): Varies
• Travel Costs (Pet-Friendly Hotels, Transport Fees): $50 - $500+ per trip
• Pet Deposit for Renters: Usually between $200 - $500

10. Pet insurance

Pet insurance can help offest the costs of vet visits or emergency care. You can find plans that cover wellness, accidents and illness or strictly emergencies. This can help you better budget for both expected and unexpected expenses. The cost of pet insurance varies based on the age, breed, species and location of your pet, as well as the coverage level you need.

• Wellness Plans: Monthly average of $94 for dogs and $51 for cats.
• Accident and Injury Plans: Monthly average of $53 for dogs and $32 for cats
• Emergency Only Plans: Monthly average of $16 for dogs and $10 for cats