It’s no secret that the cost of living goes up each year. In 2025, the cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) rose by 2.5%. But have you thought about how much this affects the costs of raising your dog? This year, dog parents can expect costs to rise as much as 7%.
According to a Rover survey* of 1,000 pet parents, 43% of dog parents are concerned about the rising cost of pet care over their pet’s lifetime. At Rover, we’ve witnessed this cost rise as we’ve refresh our data each year, researching prices across the nation and interviewing experts.
From the moment you bring them home, your dog’s lifetime care can range from $16,440 for a small breed to $52,075 for a large breed. Costs vary significantly based on breed, size, and ongoing health conditions, with smaller dogs generally being less expensive over time.
Looking for medium breed representation? The lifetime costs of a medium dog ranges from $29,500 to $33,700.
If these costs feel overwhelming, remember that the average healthy dog has a lifespan of 10 to 13 years. Understanding the costs you’ll need to anticipate can help you stay on budget.
Below, we’ve broken down the costs of dog parenthood into four categories: upfront costs when you first bring your dog or puppy home, annual essentials, and unexpected costs that many forget to budget for.
Cost of Adopting or Buying a Dog
When it comes to choosing a pet, the cost of care is often a lower priority than factors like a dog’s size and breed. However, a dog’s size and breed play a major role in the initial costs for supplies, such as dog food and toys to flea medicine. For example, a dog’s weight can determine whether you are paying $65 or $430 for food.
Surprisingly, the cost of bringing a dog home in 2025 is 8% lower than in 2024. This decrease is largely due to lower adoption fees, which often include initial rounds of vaccinations or spaying and neutering, as well as reduced inflation for pet products in 2024. In 2025, the upfront costs of bringing your dog home range from $1,150 to $4,420.
Having a budget helps: 53% of dog parents say their actual upfront costs matched their budget, while 21% reported costs being lower than expected.
Up-front costs of bringing a dog home:
| Item | From | To |
|---|---|---|
| Adoption fee | $30 | $455 |
| Breeder costs | $775 | $4,750 |
| Spay/neuter | $125 | $600 |
| Microchip + ID | $15 | $65 |
| Initial vet exam | $90 | $170 |
| Vaccinations | $195 | $470 |
| Preventatives | $20 | $310 |
| Essential supplies | $220 | $1,160 |
| Grooming supplies | $300 | $645 |
| Food and treats | $65 | $430 |
| Cleaning supplies | $45 | $125 |
| Pet license | $25 | $125 |
| Toys | $20 | $100 |
First up, adoption vs. breeder fees
Generally, the cost of dog adoption increases as one’s criteria does. A puppy or specific breed may cost up to $500 more than a senior or mixed breed. Fortunately, the adoption fee often includes many of the up-front costs, such as the spay/neuter surgery, a microchip, and the first round of vaccinations.
Adopting a dog from a shelter is the most budget-friendly way to bring a dog home. This year, the cost of adoption has decreased by 19%. Many organizations are waiving fees for senior dogs and pups that have been in the shelter for more than 75 days. If you’re considering adoption, now is a great time to explore shelter dogs.
On the other hand, breeder prices range from $775 to $4,750, depending on the breed and sex of the dog. This represents a 1,039% increase from 2024, likely reflecting the high demand and limited availability of popular dog breeds. Additionally, purchasing from a breeder may require you to spend up to $1,380 more to cover a puppy’s vaccines and spay/neuter surgery.
Vet visits, surgeries, and vaccinations
The cost of vet visits and vaccinations will vary based on the age of your dog. For example, puppies require regular vet visits and vaccinations until six months old — and they are more likely to get into mischief, such as swallowing a sock, in their first year. Adult dogs typically only need annual check-ups as part of their preventative care routine.
However, you can expect to spend about 11% more on initial vet fees this year as veterinary services raise their prices.
If you need to pay for your dog’s spay or neuter surgery out of pocket, you might find yourself postponing the procedure until their second or third year. For larger breed dogs, a vet may recommend waiting until they are fully developed, around two years old. If you choose to wait, expect higher spay/neuter costs due to your dog’s increased weight.
Cost of new dog supplies: essential, grooming, and cleaning
You should expect to spend more on essential puppy supplies than essential adult dog supplies — unless you are in the 33% of people who anticipate bringing home an additional pet. In that case, many of these supplies may already in your home.
How much you initially spend on your dog’s essential supplies, from grooming to gear, will depend on whether you are buying generic or premium brands:
- Toys: $20 to $100
- Treats: $9 to $50
- Food and water bowls: $0 to $65
- Leash: $10 to $40
- Collar/harness: $35 to $85
- Crate(s): $60 to $390
- Dog bed(s): $15 to $365
- Poop bags: $6 to $12
- Pee pads: $32 to $65
- Stain and odor removal: $5 to $25
- Pet hair vacuum: $335 to $675
- Brushes: $10 to $60
- Shampoo and conditioner: $8 to $41
- Pet hair dryer: $89 to $430
We didn’t factor in the scenario of buying some of these items twice, but it’s important to consider how destructive a puppy can be. A teething puppy, for example, will go through toys and chews at a rapid pace. A large breed puppy may outgrow multiple harnesses in the first year. When it comes to getting premium items like fancy beds or aesthetic dog crates, we recommend waiting until your puppy has learned how to settle down.
How Much Does a Dog Cost Per Year?
Thankfully, the initial expenses are not always reflective of the ongoing annual costs for a dog. If your puppy has grown into an adult dog, you may see a decrease of 32% in your yearly spending. This decrease is due to no longer needing certain essentials, such as crates, beds, and harnesses, as well as fewer vet visits.
In 2025, the cost of caring for your dog can range from $1,390 to $5,295. Factors such as your dog’s size, breed, and medical needs play a significant role in determining what you’ll spend.
Here is how the annual cost of a dog can differ based on their age:
- $1,520 to $6,415 per year for a puppy
- $1,260 to $4,170 per year for an adult dog
- $2,555 to $4,680 per year for a senior dog
Breed size also plays a large role in the cost of dog care. Small-breed adult dogs can cost up to 230% less per year than large- to giant-breed adult dogs.
Note: The above costs for a senior dog do not include end-of-life care, although we have factored two annual vet visits, one round of blood work, and medications.
Annual Cost of Dogs By Life Stage
| Item | Puppy | Adult | Senior |
|---|---|---|---|
| Food | $555 to $4,465 | $655 to $1,905 | $810 to $1,700 |
| Treats & chews | $240 to $460 | $50 to $730 | $0 to $50 |
| Gear and supplies | $255 to $715 | $65 to $205 | $205 to $380 |
| Vet visits | $145 to $240 | $75 to $110 | $75 to $150 |
| Preventatives | $265 to $310 | $120 to $420 | $270 to $305 |
| Training sessions | $120 to $290 | $115 to $290 | $300 to $975 |
| Dental hygiene | $10 to $45 | $430 to $600 | $430 to $600 |
| Pet insurance | $270 to $1,120 | $602 to $1,120 | $630 to $4,595 |
| Toys | $5 to $50 | $20 to $100 | $5 to $20 |
Costs that increase as a dog ages
- Health checkup: While puppies require more frequent vet visits in the first year, the average adult dog will only need one annual wellness checkup. However, as your dog becomes a senior, they’ll need to visit the vet twice a year for preventative care and bloodwork.
- Grooming: Grooming sessions are often charged by the hour. As your dog gets bigger or more anxious at the groomers, the groomer may need to spend more time bathing and brushing them.
- Dental cleaning: The cost of dental cleanings increases with your dog’s size due to the expense of anesthesia and the additional time required to clean their teeth.
- Senior dog care: During this time, senior dogs require extra supplies, from mobility aids to joint supplements. Life-extending medications may also become part of your budget as your dog enters their golden years.
Costs that decrease or stay the same
- Food: Surprisingly, food costs tend to decrease as your dog ages. This is primarily due to adult food being less expensive than puppy food. Senior dogs may also need to eat less calories than adult dogs but, as your dog ages, they may eventually need prescription or specialized food. Note: Dog food has stayed flat in costs since October 2024.
- Treats: As your dog matures, treats, which can be a big help in training your dog, slowly become more of a nice to have than a necessity.
- Toys: As your dog becomes a less active adult, they may play with fewer toys. Toys will likely transition from an annual cost to an optional add-on.
- Flea and tick preventatives: Flea and tick prevention typically costs between $120 and $420 per year, depending on your dog’s weight. These costs are likely to remain stable throughout your dog’s life.
- Poop bags: Your dog’s size and your personal preference on factors such as scent, eco-friendliness, or quality also affect these costs. You may go through bags a little faster as your dog ages and starts to poop more frequently during walks.
- Training: As your dog matures and settles into their personality, training becomes less of a regular requirement. While training sessions typically cost around $95 each, they will become more of an as-needed expense.
- Gear: In the first year of owning a dog, you may spend up to $1,090 on harnesses, carriers, and leashes. However, this cost can drop to between $60 and $90 per year once your dog reaches adulthood.
What Does a Monthly Budget for Dog Expenses Look Like?
Breaking down your budget into monthly expenses can make it easier to know how much to set aside. On average, dog parents with a medium-sized breed can expect to spend or save between $120 and $435 per month on their dog’s care.
This marks a 9% increase from last year, covering everything from food and vet visits to grooming and unexpected expenses. However, unspent dollars could be allocated to a savings account for emergency medical expenses.
Here is how much you may spend on your dog each month:
- Diet & health (approx. $48 to $174): This category includes everything related to wellness, from food and treats to chews and monthly preventatives.
- Medical (approx. $18 to $65): This encompasses vet visits, medications, and dental care.
- Gear (approx. $9 to $30): Costs here cover items like poop bags, toys, and additional products such as lick mats, beds, and more.
- Grooming (approx. $6 to $22): Monthly grooming costs may include pet wipes, nail trims, or self-service dog bathing.
- Pet care (approx. $18 to $65): Most training sessions are bought in packages that span 1-2 months while dog boarding costs occur once or twice a year.
- Miscellaneous (approx. $22 to $78): Emergency vet services and unplanned premium supply costs, such as a dog tracker or dog FitBit, fall in this bucket.
Note: Grooming, pet care, and surprise costs, such as emergency vet visits or miscellaneous products, are more likely to occur every quarter. For these categories, we recommend looking at the monthly budget as how much to save. Monthly savings will help with sudden or large expenses.
Monthly Cost of Popular Dog Breeds
While every dog is unique, some breeds appear to cost their pet parents more or less on average. We took a look at the top 10 most popular dog breeds and their typical monthly costs.
Starting at #1, the Golden Retriever moves up a tier from last year, with parents now spending $150 or more per month on their friendly, family-oriented dog.
Next is the German Shepherd, a smart and loyal breed, with owners reporting spending $100 to $149 per month — an increase of 20% from last year.
In the third tier, Goldendoodles, Labrador Retrievers, French Bulldogs, and mixed-breed dogs all fall into the $50-$99 monthly spending category, with no change from last year.
Finally, smaller breeds, such as the Chihuahua, Dachshund, Miniature Poodle, Shih Tzu, and Yorkshire Terrier, report the lowest monthly costs, ranging from $0 to $49. These breeds move from the third to the fourth tier of spending.
Which Pet Care Costs Should You Save Up For?
According to Rover’s survey, 29% of dog parents expect to spend $250 to $500 per year on their dog’s care. However, this budget may fall short when it comes to covering emergency expenses or unexpected costs, such as vet bills or diagnostic testing.
From emergency visits to dog boarding, the average cost for additional dog-related expenses ranges from $790 to $2,990. Depending on your lifestyle or the age of your dog, you can expect to pay for these services either once a year or once every few years.
Additional expenses worth budgeting for
| Item | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency vet bills | $280 | $1,750 |
| Diagnostic testing | $105 | $210 |
| Dog care services | $205 | $375 |
| End of life care | $250 | $320 |
| Misc. | $85 | $540 |
A stubborn puppy who refuses to be potty trained or chews on baseboards could cause you to lose your security deposit, ranging from $100 to $1,150. If an older dog eats a bag of marshmallows, they may need to visit the emergency room. But now, you have a heads-up on how much to save for unexpected expenses.
Emergency vet visits and diagnostic testing
Emergency vet visits are often unexpected. The typical visit starts at $280 and can rise to $1,750, depending on whether your dog needs additional testing or overnight care. If your dog’s condition is unclear, your vet may recommend diagnostic testing. Diagnostic testing can help identify chronic dog illnesses and diseases like cancer, parasite infection, Addison’s disease, and more.
Pet care services: boarding, walking, and day care
Dog enrichment costs vary based on your dog’s needs and your location. For instance, a puppy may require more frequent walks to maintain their potty training schedule. Services like dog walking, doggy day care, and dog training typically cost between $230 and $410 in a year. In cities with a higher cost of living, dog parents might spend over $900 annually on these services.
If you have a reactive or anxious dog, you may an additional $975 on training or boarding to ensure their comfort and safety. While at-home training is an option, first-time dog parents with sensitive dogs will find that professional help can be especially beneficial. Luckily, virtual dog training is just as effective and often cheaper than in-person training.
Grooming costs for severe matting
If you have a breed with a coat that requires regular maintenance, such as a Havanese or large Poodle, you should budget between $300 and $975 per year for professional grooming sessions. While some dog owners try to save on grooming costs, situations like severe matting, rolling in sticky substances, or needing anal gland expression are when a professional groomer will be highly appreciated.
On average, a high maintenance dog needs to be professionally groomed every 8 to 12 weeks.
End of life care for dogs
It’s hard to imagine saying goodbye to our beloved dogs, but it’s important to plan for end-of-life care. A common sentiment is, “Better to be one day early than too late.” Financial planning can help ensure that costs don’t prevent you from choosing the best services during such an emotional time.
Typical costs for end-of-life care can range from $335 to $860, depending on your dog’s situation and your preferences. In-home euthanasia and private cremation, which many pet parents prefer, can be up to 200% more expensive than less private options.
Which States Are the Most & Least Expensive to Raise a Dog?
Cost of living will also change depending on the state you live in. Based on the cost of living index from The Council for Community and Economic Research, we calculated the annual average cost of having a dog by state**.
Most & Least Affordable Cities to Own a Dog in the US
Even the cost of pet parenthood is impacted by your zip code. We looked at the cities with the lowest and highest cost of living and layered dog-specific cost data, such as pet insurance, pet rent, vet visits, emergency exams, and cost of dog boarding.
| Rank | Most Expensive | Least Expensive |
|---|---|---|
| #1. | Manhattan, NY | Parsons, KS |
| #2. | San Francisco, CA | Lawton, OK |
| #3. | Greenwich, CT | Anniston, AL |
| #4. | Seattle, WA | Springfield, MO |
| #5. | Honolulu, HI | Tupelo, MS |
| #6. | Bethesda, MD | Evansville, IN |
| #7. | Anchorage, AK | Jonesboro, AR |
| #8. | Boston, MA | McAllen, TX |
| #9. | Portland, ME | Beckley, WV |
| #10. | Hoboken, NJ | Dayton, OH |
Additional Resources
Budget Tips for Cost of Pets
Looking for ways to keep costs low? Our guide on saving money on pet care walks through options such as switching to dry food or getting pet insurance.
How to Adopt the Right Dog for You
Now you know you’ve got the dimes to spoil that dog, let’s take a look at what it takes to find your newest best friend. It’s more than just how they look. From being realistic about your lifestyle fit to choosing the right rescue shelter, our guide to adopting a dog has you covered.
How Much Does Doggy Daycare Cost?
Ready to budget for extra care for your pup? If you find yourself leaving your dog alone for long periods of time during the day, doggy daycare might be just the solution you need.
How to Find Low Cost Vaccinations Near You
To help reduce the initial cost of bringing home a new dog, we recommend looking for low cost options for vaccinations. Need to know where to start? Our guide to low cost vaccinations has you covered.
How Much Does Dog Training Cost?
A well-trained dog can actually save money in the long run, especially when it comes to not having to replace belongings lost to insatiable chewing. Proper dog training is worth the investment. Learn how much dog training costs so you can plan your budget in advance.
*Methodology: A Rover survey of 1,000 pet parents conducted in February 2025, via Pollfish.
**Rover determined the most expensive and affordable states based on the cost of office visits, emergency visits, adoption fees, and licensing fees. Cost of pet care services, such as boarding and training were based on Rover services. Supplies and preventatives were calculated using the national average cost and applying the cost of living index multiplier calculated by The Council for Community and Economic Research.
***This list was calculated using cost of living data from the Economic Research Institute, Rover dog boarding services, Spot and Lemonade pet insurance, Zillow, local vet clinics, local emergency clinics, and average supply costs. For dog boarding services, we assumed an average seven day stay.
Interested in learning more about services Rover provides?
Dog Boarding | Pet Sitting | Dog Walking | Doggy Day Care | House Sitting | Dog Training
