Here's How Much It Really Costs to Have a Dog in 2024
We all know grocery prices have gone up. Sometimes after a big shopping trip to stock up on necessities you feel like even buying milk is a luxury item. Well, it's not just our own care and feeding that has felt like it's costing an arm and a leg, because the expenses that go along with having a fur baby have surged too.
According to Rover, it costs about $100 more to have a dog this year then in 2023.
Rover states, "The annual costs of caring for a dog can range from $1,000–$5,225 a year, while the typical monthly cost of owning a dog lies between $80-$440. This is an annual increase of $100 on average from 2023 to 2024.
The increase in dog costs is driven largely by rising prices of pet food, with some brands costing up to 80% more than last year. In fact, dog parents report* being most financially impacted by increasing costs of essentials: pet food (63%), treats and toys (48%), and vet visits (47%)."
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They also drilled down which dogs are the most expensive to care for, with Berne-doodles being the most expensive to care for and Shih Tzus being the least expensive.
Where you live factors into how much it costs to own a dog too, and Rover discovered dog ownership was the most expensive in Santa Monica, California and least expensive in Madison, Wisconsin.
Before you adopt a dog, there are a lot of factors to consider when it comes to cost, and not just for things like food and the occasional chew toy. Things like vaccinations and other medical expenses, licensing costs, dog training, boarding or day care as needed, grooming, dental cleaning plus those emergency vet bills!
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Plus, even though no one wants to think of this, when you adopt a dog you adopt a dog for life, which means you also have end-of-life costs to consider, and before then senior pet medication, mobility tools and special senior pet food. As for when your dog sadly crosses the rainbow bridge, Rover estimates the cost of euthanasia for your dog between $165 to $380, and cremation between $80 and $245.
There's nothing as wonderful as having a dog. And it's a huge commitment, not only of time, space, attention and money. When you think about adding a dog to your family not only do you have to think about what breed is right for your home, how much space you have, and what age of a dog you want, it's important to think about how much extra money you have to pay for that dog's needs. And for those emergency needs, because we all know those can add up fast!
Let's hope that costs come down soon so we can use that extra money for some treats and toys.
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