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Pet cost guides

Last updated: May 2026 · Methodology · Sources

Reviewed by Pet Cost Editorial Team
Cost data reviewed May 2026 · methodology audited quarterly

Plain-English, source-backed guides on what pet ownership actually costs. Each guide pairs explainer content with a free interactive calculator and clearly cited sources.

Annual & first-year cost

Average cost of a dog

Annual, first-year, lifetime ranges with breakdown.

Average cost of a cat

Indoor vs outdoor, age stage, lifetime estimates.

Puppy first year

Setup, vaccines, training, supplies.

Kitten first year

Spay/neuter, kitten vaccines, supplies.

Vet procedures

Dog vaccines

Core vs non-core, AAHA-aligned schedule.

Cat vaccines

FVRCP, rabies, FeLV by lifestyle.

Dog X-rays

Per-region pricing & what's included.

Cat X-rays

Anesthesia, sedation, common reasons.

Dog bloodwork

CBC, panels, when it's worth it.

Cat bloodwork

Senior screening, kidney monitoring.

Dog dental cleaning

Anesthesia, X-rays, extractions.

Cat dental cleaning

Tooth resorption, full-mouth extractions.

Dog spay

General practice vs low-cost clinic.

Cat neuter

Why it's cheaper than spaying.

Emergency & surgery

Emergency vet visit

Real ER cost ranges by scenario.

Foreign object surgery

Bowel obstruction and surgical removal usually $3,000–$8,000.

Dog ACL surgery

$2,000–$7,500 by technique and clinic.

Cat ACL surgery

Less common but $1,800–$5,000.

Cat urinary blockage

Life-threatening — $1,200–$5,500.

Dog tumor removal

Benign vs malignant; histopath included.

Diagnostics & chronic care

Dog X-rays

Per region, sedation, contrast.

Cat X-rays

Often paired with sedation.

Pet ultrasound

$200–$1,000 by clinic.

Pet MRI / CT

$1,500–$3,500 — referral level.

Cat hyperthyroidism

Methimazole vs I-131 vs surgery.

Dog UTI

$150–$500 typical.

Dog ear infection

$100–$400 per visit; recurrence common.

Cat ear infection

Less frequent; treat parasites first.

Dog allergy testing

Elimination diet vs serum panel.

Comparisons & lifestyle

Insurance vs savings

Run the math both ways.

Insurance vs CareCredit

When financing makes sense.

Lemonade vs Embrace

Side-by-side on key plan features.

Raw vs kibble

Cost per day comparison.

Dog boarding

Kennel vs sitter vs daycare.

Dog grooming

DIY vs pro every 4–8 weeks.

Dog training

Group class vs private vs board-and-train.

DIY vs vet dental

Why pro cleaning still wins.

Adopt vs buy

Adoption fee vs breeder pricing.

Dog vs cat lifetime

Total spend across a lifespan.

Small vs large dog

How size compounds spend.

Senior dog cost

What changes after age 7.