The Cost of Owning a Dog: What to Expect

Most dog lovers would agree: Welcoming a dog into your family is one of life’s most rewarding experiences. Not only do dogs bring love, companionship, and joy to your home, research shows that owning a dog can even improve your health. [1]

However, while all those doggie kisses are free, dog ownership can add significant expenses to your family budget. That’s why, before bringing a dog into your family, it’s important to understand the true cost of owning a dog.

From food to supplies to veterinary bills, dog care expenses can add up quickly. And even if you’ve budgeted for such increases, unexpected accidents or illnesses can prove costly if you’re not prepared.

That’s why many experts recommend planning ahead when it comes to paying for your new, furry bundle of joy. Knowing the true cost of owning a dog is the first step. And having a backup plan for unforeseen costs is just as crucial.

Options like pet insurance or CareCredit, a specialized credit card for pet health costs, can help reduce financial strain. That way, you can enjoy all the benefits of owning a dog without getting overwhelmed by the costs.*

How Much Does a Dog Cost Per Year?

OK, so how much does it cost to own a dog? Research shows it’s likely more than you think.

According to a 2025 study by Synchrony, pet parents tend to underestimate the lifetime cost of owning a dog…by a lot. The study found that dog parents reportedly expect to pay just over $8,000 for care over the course of their pet’s life [2].

In reality, the lifetime cost of dog ownership is much higher. Assuming a dog lives to be 15, the total cost of care can range from three to seven times that amount, according to Synchrony, with yearly costs ranging between $1,591 and $2,770.

Factors that influence dog care expenses

So, where do all those dog-care dollars go? The most common expenses include veterinary care, food, supplies, grooming, and professional services, like pet-sitting and dog walking.

However, Dr. Andrea Y. Tu, a veterinarian with the Heart of Chelsea Veterinary Group in New York City, notes that dog care costs vary widely.

What you’ll pay depends on your dog’s age and individual needs, with puppies and older dogs incurring more expenses, says Dr. Tu, who serves as the group’s chief of veterinary behavior services.

According to another study by Synchrony from 2022, costs during a puppy’s first year of life may range from $1,300 to $2,800 [3].

“There’s an extra cost to get them up to date with their puppy vaccines, and oftentimes that means more frequent visits,” Dr. Tu says. “And then they will have their spay or neuter surgery.” The cost for this surgery will be higher if your dog is larger, if laparoscopic techniques are used (for spay), or if other procedures, such as a gastropexy, are performed at the same time.

“After that, the cost of a pet tends to decrease a little bit as they become adults,” Dr. Tu adds. “Then, toward the end of their life, as some of these metabolic, older diseases, like arthritis, pop up, your costs may increase.”

The average cost of owning a dog can also vary based on your dog’s breed. 

“There are some breeds that are more prone to allergies,” says Kara Starzyk, the shelter manager for Abandoned Pet Rescue in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

“Brachycephalic dogs like French bulldogs commonly have breathing issues. Pit bulls often have very sensitive skin,” she adds.

Expenses can also differ depending on where you live, as veterinary services and pet product costs vary by region.

The presence of pests in the environment — such as ticks, fleas, or heartworm-carrying mosquitoes — can also affect how much pet parents may need to spend on care and prevention.

How Much Does a Dog Cost by Category?

Budgeting for your new dog may seem overwhelming. However, breaking down costs by category can give you a better grasp on the expenses you may encounter along the way.

“Preparing for the cost of owning a dog is something that we always recommend that clients think about ahead of time,” says Dr. Tu. “It is not just simply the cute puppy that ends up underneath the Christmas tree in a box — you are really committing to a lifetime for this pet.”

So, how much will a dog cost? Here’s a helpful breakdown.

Dog Health Costs

The 2025 Synchrony study shows that basic health-related costs for dogs have increased since the company’s 2022 survey, which showed pet parents spent about $530 to nearly $1,300 annually [3]. These expenses typically include routine checkups, medications, parasite prevention, and vaccinations.

“Veterinary care is really an area that people should think about,” Starzyk says. “Dogs should go for annual checkups, and they do usually require annual vaccines. Heartworm and flea prevention is normally monthly,” she notes.

While costs vary depending on the type of service or treatment, as well as the clinic you visit, the following national averages offer a general sense of what a trip to the veterinarian may cost [4]:

• A routine veterinary check-up or wellness exam can cost between $70 and $174.
• Vaccines can cost between $25 to $50 each. 
• Diagnostic tests can cost anywhere from $36 for a simple blood glucose test to hundreds or even thousands for more complex diagnostic tests, like CT scans. 
• The average cost of a professional dental cleaning for dogs is $376.

Remember, these prices are averages, so you may spend more or less on these services than we’ve listed.

Emergency care can significantly increase veterinary costs. Initial exams range from $150 to $250, though that may vary depending on your location. If hospitalization is required, you may be looking at a cost between $600 and $3,500 for a stay of 1-5 days.

While some health expenses are unavoidable, Dr. Tu emphasizes the importance of preventative wellness care to help control costs.

“If you catch things early, you’re often able to manage them at a lower cost and at less stress to you and your pet,” she says. “Because our veterinary patients are unable to tell us that they might feel a little bit off, things like routine wellness checks, blood work, and routine fecal tests to check for parasites are really important.”

Given the range of expenses that can arise when caring for a dog, Starzyk says having a plan for how to pay is crucial. Exploring options like pet insurance is a “responsible thing to do,” she notes.

However, your pet insurance policy may not cover all dog health expenses. Starzyk also points to CareCredit as another useful resource. “CareCredit, which is a low-interest credit card for pet health, is an option that you often see in emergency vet clinics,” she says.

CareCredit offers flexible financing options and payment plans that make it easier to manage dog health care costs, at locations in the CareCredit network.*

Dog Food

Does dog food cost a lot? Yes and no, depending on the type of diet your dog needs. For instance, prescription diets that help treat or manage dog health issues can cost much more than standard kibble.

“My dog’s on a prescription diet, and it costs $120 for a large bag of food,” Starzyk says. “Luckily, my dog’s small, so it lasts long. But if he were a German Shepherd, it would be even more expensive.”

According to 2025 statistics, pet parents can expect to pay between $655 to $1,905 annually for dog food each year. [5] And that estimate doesn’t even account for treats. 

Dog Supplies

Pet parents should also budget for a broad range of dog supplies, including treats, toys, crates, beds, leashes, bowls, and grooming supplies. According to Synchrony, the cost of such essentials also increased from the 2022 benchmark of $170 to $700, annually.

While this might be an area where it’s tempting to cut costs, Dr. Tu warns against viewing things like toys as non-essential.

“Dogs need mentally stimulating experiences,” Dr. Tu says. In fact, she often recommends puzzle toys to help engage dogs and minimize frustration or unwanted behavior.

However, Dr. Tu adds that pet parents don’t necessarily need to pay for expensive puzzle toys if they are out of their budget. “An easy puzzle toy could simply be taking a paper towel roll, punching some holes in it, and putting in some kibble,” she says. “So when your dog knocks it around, the food falls out.”

Other Dog Costs

There are several other expenses that pet parents should keep in mind, including the potential cost of dog walking or doggy daycare.

“One thing that people often don’t think about is the energy of the pets,” Starzyk says. “If they work long hours, are they going to need to hire a dog walker? Are they going to need to send the dog to daycare?”

Additional costs that pet parents should consider include:

• Grooming
• Boarding or pet-sitting
• Dog training

These costs can vary widely depending on a variety of factors, including service options, frequency, your dog’s size, and your region of the country. It’s best to compare prices ahead of time in your location and budget accordingly.

What Is the Average Lifetime Cost of a Dog?

Let’s face it: The cost of owning a dog can have a serious impact on your family’s finances. According to the 2025 Synchrony study, lifetime costs can add up to as much as $60,600 (assuming a lifespan of 15 years).

While we all hope our canine companions live long, happy, healthy lives, helping them achieve that will take some planning and forethought. Luckily, there are some smart strategies that can help you enjoy all the benefits of dog ownership without breaking the bank.

When it comes to health-related costs, CareCredit can be an excellent resource for pet parents. A CareCredit credit card helps pet parents pay for anything from routine checkups to emergency vet visits at locations in the CareCredit network. It’s easy to apply, and CareCredit’s flexible financing enables pet parents to pay over time, making dog care costs more manageable.*

Starzyk also says that adopting a dog, rather than buying one, can be cost-effective — at least when it comes to initial costs. 

“When you adopt from a shelter rescue, they’re spayed/neutered, usually microchipped, and vaccinated,” Starzyk says. “So that can save a person a lot of money up front when getting a dog.”

Starzyk adds that some shelters, including Abandoned Pet Rescue, offer medical adoption programs that “provide veterinary care for particular pets for the rest of their life.” These programs, she says, give people the “opportunity to have a pet without having to worry about the financial burden, while also providing a home for a pet at a shelter.”

Cost of Owning a Dog: Tips and Advice

The cost of having a dog can be high, but with careful planning and budgeting, it is doable. Dr. Tu says that overall, the benefits of dog ownership outweigh the costs.

“The human animal bond, by definition, is beneficial for both parties involved,” she says. “And there is a lot of evidence out there that shows that owning a dog, owning a cat, owning any sort of pet, can in turn help the human’s health.”

With dogs, getting you outside to go for a walk increases your activity. Even the simple act of petting your pup has been shown to lower blood pressure. So, when you think of it that way, “It really is not a huge cost,” Dr. Tu says, “as long as you plan ahead and prepare for it.”

References

1. O’Keefe, James H et al. “The Human-Canine Bond: A Heart’s Best Friend.” Mayo Clinic proceedings. Innovations, quality & outcomes vol. 3,3 249-250. 23 Aug. 2019, doi:10.1016/j.mayocpiqo.2019.07.009
2. Pet Lifetime of Care 2025. Synchrony. June 2025. Retrieved from https://www.petlifetimeofcare2025.com/
3. Lifetime of Care Study. Synchrony. Jan 2022. Retrieved from https://petlifetimeofcare.com/
4. Veterinary Exam and Procedure Costs. CareCredit. Retrieved from https://www.carecredit.com/vetmed/costs/
5. The Cost of Dog Parenthood in 2025. Rover. March 2025. Retrieved from https://www.rover.com/blog/cost-of-dog-parenthood/

*Subject to credit approval. See carecredit.com for details.

This information is shared solely for your convenience. Neither Synchrony nor any of its affiliates, including CareCredit, make any representations or warranties regarding the products described, and no endorsement is implied. You are urged to consult with your individual veterinarian with respect to any professional advice presented.