How Much Does it Cost to
Own a Pet??
You should
always consider the
costs of having a
companion animal. Food
and collars are only two
of a whole litany of
expenses that the
average pet owner will
incur within a year. The
ASPCA wants you to be
ready to care for that
new companion in all the
ways he/she needs. We've
compiled a list of
expected annual costs
for your new friend.
Small Dogs:
They may be pocket sized
and lovable but they're
no small cost. While
crate costs and
spay/neuter fees are
lessened, a smaller dog,
like a Yorkshire terrier
and pugs, can still cost
nearly $800 annually.
|
Food
|
Medical
|
Toys
|
License
|
Misc.
|
|
$150
|
$150 |
$50 |
$15 |
$35 |
|
Collar |
Carrier
|
Crate
|
Grooming
|
Spay/Neuter |
|
$25 |
$30 |
$50 |
$200
|
$75 |
|
Total
|
$780 |
Medium Dogs:
Coming in a close
second, medium-sized
dogs, like beagles and
cocker spaniels, are
nearly the most costly
pets, fetching up to
$1,115 annually.
|
Food
|
Medical
|
Toys
|
License
|
Misc.
|
|
$250
|
$175 |
$60 |
$15 |
$45 |
|
Collar |
Carrier
|
Crate
|
Grooming
|
Spay/Neuter |
|
$30 |
$50 |
$90 |
$300
|
$100 |
|
Total
|
$1,115 |
Large Dogs:
Big dogs like
golden retrievers,
labrabors and Dalmatians
may have a special place
in your heart but get
ready to make room for
them in your wallet.
Obvious expenses like
food and crates for
large dogs are high and
first year total
expenses can reach
$1,500.
|
Food
|
Medical
|
Toys
|
License
|
Misc.
|
Spay/Neuter |
Collar
|
Carrier
|
Crate
|
Grooming
|
Total
|
|
$350
|
$200
|
$70 |
$15
|
$65 |
$125 |
$35 |
$80 |
$160 |
$400 |
$1,500
|
Cats
can provide warmth and
companionship with
considerably fewer
demands than their
canine counterparts.
However, every furball
comes with a price tag.
Total first year costs
for a cat can reach
upwards of $640.
|
Food
|
Medical
|
Litter
|
Toys |
Misc.
|
Spay/Neuter |
Litter Box
|
Collar |
Carrier |
Total
|
|
$120
|
$150
|
$150
|
$50
|
$30 |
$75
|
$25 |
$10 |
$30
|
$640
|
Rabbits
may require even less
attention than felines
but costs for a floppy
eared friend can exceed
$885 for the first year.
Where a rabbit may not
require walking, litter
costs for your pet can
more than double that of
cats.
|
Food
|
Medical
|
Litter
|
Toys |
Misc.
|
Spay/Neuter |
Litter Box
|
Cage |
Carrier |
Total
|
|
$110
|
$125
|
$400
|
$25
|
$15 |
$75
|
$25 |
$80 |
$30
|
$885
|
Guinea Pigs
don't even need
to be spayed, but litter
costs for these furballs
are as high as for that
of a rabbit. Costs for a
guinea pig can exceed
$645 in the first year.
|
Food
|
Medical
|
Litter
|
Toys |
Misc.
|
Cage |
Total
|
|
$75 |
$50 |
$400
|
$25
|
$15 |
$80 |
$645 |
Gerbils and
Hamsters
qualify as small mammals
and incur the least in
costs for quadrapeds.
Again, spaying is not a
problem with small
mammals but there are
other costs to consider,
such as cages and
litter, which can bring
the tab up to $330 in
the first year.
|
Food
|
Litter
|
Toys |
Misc.
|
Cage |
Total
|
|
$50 |
$220 |
$10 |
$15 |
$35 |
$330 |
Small Birds
such as parakeets or the
cheapest pets to keep
but that doesn't mean
free. One must provide
toys and treats and a
cage for their feathered
friends. That can cost
up to $170 in the first
year.
|
Food
|
Toys |
Misc.
|
Cage |
Total
|
|
$50 |
$30 |
$15 |
$75 |
$170 |
Fish have their own
costs and concerns.
Tanks, trinkets and
playgrounds for your
fish can raise costs up
to $185.
|
Food
|
Misc.
|
Aquarium |
Total
|
|
$20 |
$15 |
$150 |
$185 |
Copyright © 2004
The American Society for
the Prevention of
Cruelty to Animals
(ASPCA). All rights
reserved.
