How Much Will Your Pet Cost?

Article Date:

February 17, 2008

You can probably keep a tropical fish happy for less than $100 a year, but maintaining a contented cat can add more than $500 to your budget annually. Here are some typical start-up and annual costs for keeping dogs, cats, and other pets.

PETFOOD
(Yearly Costs)VET
(Yearly Costs)OTHER SUPPLIES
(Yearly Costs)ONE-TIME COSTS

Bird
$60 to $150
$50 to $300
Other supplies:
$10 to $100
Cage:$50 to $500

Cat
$120 to $240
$50 to $300
Litter:
$120 To $180

Toys:
$10 to $200
Litter pan:
$10 to $50

Scratching post:
$10 to $200

Dog
$150 to $200
for small dogs

$200 to $300
for large dogs
Shots and heartworm medications:
$75 to $100
Grooming:
$10 to $200

Toys/bones:
$10 to $200
Obedience school:
$50 to $200

Crate: $10 to $200

Ferret
$80 to $120
$20 to $40
Litter:
$120
Cage:
$50 to $500

Lizard
$150 to $350
$50 to $100
Electricity:
$20 to $30
Housing & lights:
$50 to $500

Rabbit
Hay, pellets, treats:
$240
Less than $100
Litter:
$60 to $120
Cage:
$50 to $500

Snake
$175 to $350
$50 to $100
Electricity:
$20 to $30
Housing & lights:
$50 to $500

Tropical Fish
$60
None
Electricity:
$20
Aquarium & lights:
$50 to $500