The cost of living, in Florida and the rest of the United States, seems to keep rising, and that includes the cost of owning and caring for a pet. If the price of premium dog food makes you growl, or you hiss when you see how much you have to pay for luxury kitty litter, our Bayview Animal Hospital team thinks it would be a good idea to learn about all the expenses associated with pet ownership and care before you bring home a four-legged pal.

Estimates of the monthly, annual, and lifetime costs of owning a pet vary widely, depending on the animal you choose, where you live, and your pet’s standard of living. A nationwide study by the MarketWatch Guides team concluded that the average cost of caring for a dog in America is about $28,800 over the pet’s lifetime. When the team analyzed the data, taking 11 metrics into account, they found that where you live is a major factor in how much you can expect to spend on your dog.

They chose the costs of keeping a Labrador retriever, one of the country’s most popular canine breeds, to calculate state-by-state expenses. Dog ownership was most expensive in California, with $35,452 in lifetime costs, and least costly in Oklahoma, with only $24,855 in lifetime costs. Florida was the 29th most expensive state for dog ownership, averaging $1,040 to adopt a puppy, $2,416 to care for a dog every year, and $27,621 to care for the pet throughout their life.

At Bayview Animal Hospital, we know pet emergencies can be expensive, so we rely on annual physical exams and preventive care to help ensure dogs and cats stay healthy and live for as long as possible, while keeping the costs of pet care affordable. We discuss the costs of your pet’s care, so you can choose the best options that fit into your budget. 

The breakdown of costs for cats and dogs

The pet lovers at Rover.com calculated the costs of owning a cat and dog in 2024. They determined that keeping a cat happy and healthy costs their owner from $710 to $2,865 a year, or $60 to $240 a month. Caring for a dog costs more—$1,000 to $5,225 a year, or $80 to $440 a month. Annual cat care costs increased $70 from 2023 to 2024, while dog care costs rose $100.

Higher costs of nutrition—up to 100% more for cat food and 80% more for dog food—are responsible for much of this year’s cost increase. Cat owners say the soaring cost of essentials (i.e., pet food up 63%, treats and toys up 49%, and vet visits up 43%) has made the most financial impact. Dog owners also cite the rising costs of essentials (i.e., up to 63% more for pet food, 48% more for treats and toys, and 47% more for vet visits).

Essential expenses for pets

Here are Rover’s ranges for other must-haves for your cat and dog, respectively:

  • Adoption fees: $0 to $185 for cats; $0 to $600 for dogs
  • Spaying or neutering: $165 to $250; $250 to $525
  • First vet exam and vaccinations: $200 to $390; $165 to $515
  • Bed: $15 to $250; $10 to $470
  • Crate or carrier: $20 to $160; $25 to $475
  • Pet license: $15 to $95; $20 to $125
  • Microchipping for both species: $20 to $95

Other necessary supplies for cats include a litter box, litter, and a scratching post, while dogs need a harness and leash. Both species need food and water bowls and grooming supplies.

No budget limit for a pet? No problem

The costs above are the averages for pet adoption only. If you’re in the market for a purebred cat, you can spend up to $125,000 for a rare Ashera cat, a hybrid breed that’s part African serval, part Asian leopard cat, and part domestic house cat. Me-Wow!

If money is no object for a dog, you might want to consider a Tibetan mastiff, priced at $10,000 or more. The most expensive member of this breed sold recently for $1.9 million. The lifetime dog food bill for a Tibetan mastiff may rival that figure—the heaviest male on record tipped the scales at 250 pounds.

In the end, pets are priceless

Before you adopt or purchase a pet, do your research. When you have decided on a breed, consider all that they need and prepare a pet budget to ensure you can cover their expenses. You may also want to consider setting aside money for an emergency—unfortunately, pets can be unexpectedly injured or suddenly become ill—or investing in pet insurance. 

Rover’s researchers noted, “As the bond between pets and people strengthens and evolves, so does the way we care for them. The humanization of pets and growth of premium pet products has widened the price gap between low and high end items.”

The best thing about pets is that whether they cost nothing or tens of thousands of dollars, they’re all priceless. Contact the Bayview Animal Hospital team if you need advice on choosing a pet or to schedule a wellness visit for your chosen new companion.