How Much Does a Dog Cost? Breaking Down Lifetime Expenses

Being greeted at the door by a wiggly ball of fur, absolutely overjoyed to see you, is one of life’s purest pleasures. That unwavering companionship, filled with affection, loyalty and a listening ear, isn’t just special, it’s priceless.

But while dogs are a treasure, they come with a long list of expenses. Beyond the initial cost of getting a dog, daily care and maintaining good health and quality of life can really add up. Keep reading to discover how much you might expect to spend over the course of your pooch’s lifetime.

Benefits of Dog Ownership

While dogs can be costly, many owners feel the rewards more than make up for it. Studies have shown that dog ownership offers a wide range of physical, mental and emotional health benefits, such as:¹

• A greater sense of purpose
• Improved quality of life for individuals with Alzheimer’s or dementia
• Increased physical activity, lower blood pressure and improved heart health
• Lower rates of depression, particularly in older adults
• More structure and routine in everyday life
• Reduced stress and anxiety, along with a calming presence
• Relief from feelings of loneliness through unconditional love and companionship

Lifetime Costs of Owning a Dog

According to Synchrony’s 2025 Pet Lifetime of Care survey, dog owners spend $1,591 to $2,770 annually on their dogs or dog–related expenses. That adds up to $22,125 to $60,602 over a dog’s lifetime, compared to the $8,158 in expenses many dog owners initially estimate.² Dogs are a major financial commitment. If you’re considering a dog, it’s important to factor into your decision your ability to financially support them, and to plan, budget and save for their care so you’ll be prepared for unexpected expenses.

Initial Costs of Dog Ownership

Dogs come with start-up costs. Besides any initial investment involved in acquiring a new dog or puppy, they’ll need supplies and veterinary care to get them off to a good start.³ Below is a general idea of what you may expect to pay to get a dog and set them up for success.

Acquiring a dog

While it’s not unheard of for a dog or puppy to show up in your life free of charge, it’s more likely you’ll need to spend some money to acquire one. Here’s what obtaining a new dog or puppy could cost you:

• Adopting from a shelter $55 to $550. Fees may vary from shelter to shelter as well as from region to region. Adoption fees typically cover the cost of spaying or neutering, vaccinations, parasite control and other medical expenses from the vet’s office — costs you would otherwise need to cover yourself after bringing Fido home.⁴
• Purchasing from a reputable breeder $1,000 to $5,000 and up, depending on which breed you choose.⁵ Some rare breeds can cost significantly more, and typically, you might also expect to pay more for puppies from championship lines.
  
  Here is what reputable breeders are charging for these popular dog breeds:
  • Chihuahua $500 to $3,000⁶
  • German shepherd dog $2,000 to $3,500+⁷
  • Golden retriever $500 to $3,000+⁸
  • Toy poodle $1,000 to $3,000+⁹

Essential dog supplies

Your new pup will need some basic necessities to help them feel at home and keep them corralled while they learn the rules and where to potty. The cost of many of these items tends to increase with the size of the dog, and they’ll also vary according to brand and where you shop. But in general, here’s what you could initially spend on essential items for your pooch:³

• Bed $25 to $250
• Collar or harness $5 to $50
• Crate $25 to $250
• Dog shampoo and brush $15 to $40
• Food bowls $10 to $50
• Leash $10 to $50
• Potty pads $20 to $80
• Toys $10 to $200
• Treats $5 to $115

Initial veterinary costs

Unless your dog has already been fully vaccinated and spayed or neutered when you get them, you’ll need to pay for initial veterinary care.¹⁰ And a new pup will need to see the vet a few times during their first year of life.¹¹ Here’s what you may expect to pay for each visit:¹²

• Core vaccinations $34 to $77
• Flea and tick prevention $29 to $66
• Heartworm prevention $18 to $42
• Vet visit $56 to $129

Also, while these one-time procedures are optional, they’re highly recommended:¹²

• Microchipping $38 to $87
• Neuter surgery $333 to $885
• Spay surgery $357 to $969

Ongoing Costs of Dog Care

Dogs are typically a commitment of 10 to 13+ years, and they need ongoing care throughout their lives.¹³ The actual monthly costs of caring for your dog will be highly personalized, depending largely on the size and breed of your dog, as well as factors like which brands you purchase and where you shop.

Your pooch will also require annual vet visits and dental checkups, which will add to your overall yearly costs.¹⁰ Also, as your pup ages or becomes ill, they’ll need to see the vet for checkups more often and may also require medication or other types of treatment.¹⁴

Monthly dog expenses

Here’s what you may expect to pay for basic monthly dog expenses:³

• Food $20 to $200
• At home grooming supplies $9 to $49
• Treats $5 to $22
• Waste bags $6 to $19

Routine veterinary care

You may end up spending this much on routine health checkups:¹²

• Dental checkups and cleanings $300 to $687
• Flea and tick prevention $29 to $66
• Heartworm prevention $18 to $42
• Routine vet checkups $56 to $129

Dog and puppy training

You may be able to teach your pup obedience at home by studying books or online videos. But for more unruly pups, obedience classes are advisable.¹⁵

For more specialized training or for correcting behavioral issues, you may need the help of a professional trainer or behaviorist. Dog trainer fees vary widely and are highly subjective, so you may want to shop around.¹⁵

Additional Dog-Related Expenses

From time to time, you may need help to look after your pooch. A dog walker can check on your dog and take them out for exercise and a potty break while you’re at work. On average, the monthly cost of hiring a dog walker is about $300.³

If you need to leave your pet overnight or longer, you may need to board them. Pet boarding costs can vary widely depending on your location and the type of facility that boards your dog. Here is the national average cost* for different types of boarding for dogs:¹²

• Basic pet boarding $33 to $76 per night
• Boarding at the vet $48 to $110 per night
• Luxury pet hotel $81 to $185 per night
• Mid-range boarding kennel $37 to $85 per night

If you opt to take your dog with you on trips, you’ll likely need to pay pet fees at pet-friendly hotels and motels.¹⁶ The same goes for airlines, which typically charge a fee to have your fur pal fly with you.¹⁷ These can vary, so it’s best to check ahead with both your airline and where you’ll be staying to verify that your dog is allowed and how much you’ll be charged to bring them along.

Home and Lifestyle-Related Dog Costs 

If you’re a renter, don’t forget to factor in the cost of pet deposits or fees, which may cost as much as $500. This is a one-time cost, unless you move. Deposits are typically refundable, whereas fees are not. Some landlords also charge a monthly pet rent to further cover the cost of pet damage, usually an additional $25 to $75 tacked onto your regular rent.¹⁸

Homeowners may also find themselves with extra expenses, such as fence installation or repairs to an existing fence, to provide their pooch a safe space to run and play. Don’t be surprised if you also have to replace damaged carpets or furniture at some point.

You should also consider the cost of replacing things like dog beds, collars and toys, as these items typically undergo a lot of wear and tear. If your pup’s a heavy chewer, they’ll likely go through these things more quickly. And if you’ve got a large-breed puppy on your hands, you’ll likely need to buy new items as they outgrow their old gear.

If you plan to include your dog in your lifestyle activities, they’ll likely need gear for that, too. This could include things like special harnesses for hiking, hiking boots, dog first aid kits, portable water dishes and other accessories to make activities both safe and fun for your pooch.¹⁹

Dog Health Emergencies and Pet Insurance

Unfortunately, the unexpected can happen to any dog. Illnesses, injuries and other health conditions can all take you by surprise, so it’s a good idea to budget for emergency care or have a plan for veterinary financing.¹⁰

Below are the average cost* ranges in the United States for a pet emergency room visit and for diagnosing or treating various illnesses and injuries commonly incurred by dogs. Actual costs will vary depending on where you live and where you seek treatment, as well as on the size and breed of your dog.¹²

Pet insurance can help defray the cost of both routine and emergency dog health care. Different policies are available that cover different types and ranges of care. It’s a relatively small investment that could lead to big savings over the lifetime of your pup.

Here’s what you might spend on monthly premiums for different types of pet insurance coverage for dogs:¹² 

• Accident and illness coverage $48 to $111
• Accident-only coverage $18 to $42
• Health and wellness coverage $20 to $45

End-of-Life Dog Care Costs

It’s not pleasant to think about, but sooner or later, it may be necessary to consider costs relating to the end of your pet’s life.²⁰ Old age ailments like severe arthritis and losing their hearing, as well as terminal illnesses like cancer or heart disease, may require palliative care.¹⁴ This involves keeping your pet as comfortable and pain-free as possible during the remainder of their life. The cost of this can vary widely, depending on the type and amount of care your pet needs.

Euthanasia is a difficult choice, and isn’t always necessary. Some dogs pass away peacefully and naturally. Sometimes, though, the kindest thing is to ease their passing with the aid of a vet.¹⁴ This can either be done in a clinic or, if you live where it’s available, in the comfort and privacy of your home.

The final disposition of your pet is another cost you might incur. You may be able to save on this cost with a backyard burial. Otherwise, you may have your dog’s remains cremated or buried in a pet cemetery.

Here is an idea of what you might want to budget for the end of your dog’s life:¹²

• Euthanasia at a clinic $110 to $253
• Euthanasia at home $325 to $747
• Palliative and hospice care $300 to $650²⁰
• Pet cemetery burial $659 to $1,513
• Private cremation $206 to $473

Lifetime of Care

It’s important to have a realistic picture of what a dog will cost over their lifetime. As mentioned above, pet parents surveyed in the Pet Lifetime of Care study tend to vastly underestimate how much they’ll spend on their furry pals throughout their lives. The actual lifetime amount spent by the study’s participants ranged from $22,125 to $60,602, far more than the expected $8,158.²

It’s not surprising that they spent so much when you recognize how dog parents feel about their pups. In fact, 36% consider their dogs to be a family member, and 44% go a step further, thinking of their dog either as their child or their best friend.²

While over two-thirds of dog parents say they’re financially prepared for their dogs’ care, 31% feel unprepared. Meanwhile, 71% of dog owners report facing unexpected expenses of $250 or more. Unexpected veterinary care and health issues are some of the biggest concerns for dog parents, but rising food costs are also a major concern. To break it down, here are the top seven expenses that cause dog parents to worry:²

• Emergency care
• Food costs
• Grooming expenses
• Medical costs
• Surgery costs
• Training expenses
• Vet bills

When money gets tight, dog parents are most likely to reduce spending on food and pet supplies and to cut back on vet visits.²

How Do Dog Owners Pay for Care?

While 47% of dog parents said they have at least considered pet insurance, and 44% have considered keeping a savings account for emergency dog expenses, it turns out that more than half of the dog parents surveyed said they use a credit card to pay for their dogs’ unexpected care costs. Additionally, 1 out of 12 dog parents admitted that they do nothing, gambling that their pets’ health will improve on its own. Only 9% to 13% were likely to seek out solutions such as veterinary financing, in-house payment plans or installment loans.²

Loving Dogs for Life

The expenses involved in caring for a dog add up. But the cost of unconditional love, a wagging tail and wet-nosed kisses are worth it. Planning ahead can help you give your dog their best and healthiest life.

CareCredit Credit Card Financing for Dogs

The CareCredit credit card provides a convenient way to pay for your dog’s vaccinations and other health and wellness expenses, including exams, medications and products at providers in the CareCredit network.** Continue your wellness journey by downloading the CareCredit Mobile App. You can find a provider on the go, manage your CareCredit account and easily access the Well U blog for more great articles, podcasts and videos. Use our Acceptance Locator to find a veterinarian that accepts CareCredit to help keep your pet healthy and happy for a lifetime of love.

In addition to pet care, you can also use your CareCredit credit card for dentistry, cosmetic, vision, hearing, health systems, dermatology, pharmacy purchases, spa treatments and so much more within the CareCredit network. How will you invest in your health and wellness next?

Author Bio

Jean Marie Bauhaus is a freelance writer and novelist who has been writing pet content since 2013. Her work has appeared on Forbes.com, Hill's Pet, Chewy, AKC.org and more.