Although their companionship is priceless, bringing home a new dog or puppy has definite costs. In the end, it depends on your choice of dog, where you live, where you shop, and which squeaky toys you choose to invest in. However, in terms of the necessities, you should figure on the price of a dog or puppy starting at a minimum of $395 in the first year and continuing at a minimum of $326 each year after that.
Remember that the price of a puppy could be higher than the price of an adult dog, and those figures don’t account for variable costs like boarding, professional grooming, or training, or for unknowns like unexpected veterinary expenses.
What Is the Average Cost of a Puppy?
Credit: Grace Canaan
The upfront costs of bringing home a dog range from $1,050 to $4,480, according to a report by Rover.com. “Puppies are generally more expensive since they require more vet visits than adult dogs do,” says Nicole Ellis, CPDT-KA and member of the Rover.com Dog People Panel. “They may also go through toys faster and have accidents that require cleaning and washing.”
According to the report, the average annual cost of owning a dog after the first year is between $480 and $3,470 per dog. The price varies depending on a number of elements, including your location, your way of life, and the specific requirements of your pet.
Factors Affecting the Annual Cost to Own a Dog
The primary expenses for your new puppy savings account are fairly simple to calculate how much it costs to own a dog.
Initial Requirements that Increase the Cost of a Puppy
You will be required to pay for these procedures up front and out of pocket if you purchase a puppy from a breeder or adopt one that hasn’t undergone them before coming home with you. Vets recommend these services for most all pets.
Vaccination: $80 – $150 for core vaccines
Finding a nearby veterinarian and making an appointment are two of your first duties as a new pet owner. They’ll conduct a physical examination, look for common congenital issues in puppies, and suggest a [puppy vaccine schedule] crucial to preventing communicable diseases in your pet.
Puppies typically need several rounds of the 4-in-1 vaccine, a rabies shot, and yearly boosters. Your veterinarian may advise additional vaccinations, such as Bordetella and Leptospira, in addition to the core puppy vaccines where risk is present, or organizations may require them for boarding or daycare.
By receiving these vaccinations from low-cost vaccination clinics, you can lower the overall cost of a puppy, but typically, each vaccination costs $15 to $20 per shot and up to $30 for rabies. 2 As [dogs need vaccine] boosters to stay immunized on an annual and triannual basis (depending on the shot), this will be a continuing expense throughout your pet’s life.
Spay or Neuter Surgery: $35 – $500 depending on gender
Spaying and neutering male and female puppies, also known as “desexing,” is crucial to prevent pregnancy, lower the risk of health conditions like prostrate cancer and urinary tract infections, and reduce the likelihood of behavioral issues.
Most puppies have this surgery between the ages of nine months and one year, but your veterinarian will suggest a safe and suitable age based on the medical history of your particular pet. Spaying or neutering a dog can cost between $50 and $500 for females and $35 to $350 for males, depending on the location and whether there are any complications.
FAQ
What is a good price to buy a puppy?
Hunter refers to this as “the initial investment. “You can anticipate spending $500 to $2000 if you choose to buy a purebred dog from a breeder,” she says. The price range for adopting from a shelter or rescue is between $50 and $200. ”.
How much does the first year of a puppy cost?
One-Time Expenses Depending on your dog’s size, the ASPCA estimates that your first year’s total costs will be between $1,314 and $1,843 on average. Puppies sometimes cost more than healthy adult dogs because they require more vaccinations and veterinary procedures.
What is the average cost of a new dog?
First-year: $740 to $1,325. Estimated annual costs after that: $500 to $875. Total estimated lifetime cost: $7,240 to $12,700.
How much do puppies cost a month?
Budgeting for a dog by the month, which is estimated to cost $42, may be simpler. 66 for small dogs, $55. 75 for medium pups, and $86. 69 for large ones. * These figures account for dog-related costs for the entire year, such as: Food – You should choose a complete and balanced dog food appropriate for your dog’s age and level of activity.