Pet Cost Calculator

Add up the yearly and lifetime cost of owning a pet.

Your inputs

Food per month	$60
Routine vet care per year	$400
Pet insurance per month	$40
Grooming, toys, supplies per year	$300
Boarding / pet-sitting per year	$250
One-time costs (adoption, neutering, kit)	$600
Expected lifespan	13 years

Food per month

Routine vet care per year

Pet insurance per month

Grooming, toys, supplies per year

Boarding / pet-sitting per year

One-time costs (adoption, neutering, kit)

Expected lifespan

years

Yearly cost

$2,150

$179 a month; about $28,550 over 13 years including one-time costs (in today's money).

Yearly cost

Food33%: $720
Vet care19%: $400
Insurance22%: $480
Grooming and supplies14%: $300
Boarding12%: $250

About the Pet Cost Calculator

Enter monthly food and insurance, yearly vet, grooming and boarding costs, one-time setup costs and the expected lifespan. The calculator gives the yearly, monthly and lifetime cost.

Food, routine vet care (vaccinations, check-ups, parasite control), insurance or an emergency fund, grooming and boarding make up most of the cost of a pet. Older pets usually need more vet care. Enter your local prices for an accurate budget.

The formula

Lifetime = yearly costs × lifespan + one-time costs

Worked example

Food 60 and insurance 40 a month; vet 400, grooming 300, boarding 250 a year; setup 600; 13 years

Yearly: 720 + 480 + 400 + 300 + 250 = 2,150
About 179 a month
Lifetime: 2,150 × 13 + 600 = 28,550

Things to keep in mind

In today's money; prices rise, and older pets often need more vet care.

Questions people ask

Is pet insurance worth it?

It protects against large unexpected bills; compare premiums with saving the same amount monthly.

Do bigger dogs cost more?

Usually: more food, higher medication doses and insurance.