Rover's 2026 Cost of Pet Parenthood report estimates that an adult dog costs about $1,930 to $5,305 a year. Senior dogs cost about $2,475 to $5,200 a year as vet needs grow.
Where the money goes each year
- Food: about $785 to $2,635 for adult dogs (bigger dogs eat more)
- Flea, tick and heartworm prevention: about $295 to $360
- Routine vet visits: about $80 to $135 for a healthy adult
- Pet insurance (optional): about $520 to $1,230
- Dental care: about $55 to $490
- Grooming, toys, treats and boarding vary a lot by breed and lifestyle
Lifetime cost by size
The same report estimates lifetime costs of about $19,840 for a small dog, $35,415 to $43,285 for a medium dog and $58,875 for a large dog. Larger dogs eat more and often need more expensive medicine and care.
Surprise costs to plan for
Emergency vet bills of $300 to $2,500 are common, and end-of-life care adds more. A pet emergency fund or insurance keeps a surprise from becoming debt.
How to budget for a dog
- Work out your monthly cost with our pet cost calculator.
- Add it to your budget as a fixed monthly bill.
- Save a little extra every month for vet surprises.
- Track what you actually spend for a few months and adjust.
Know exactly what your pet costs.
Our printable pet planners are coming soon. Join the free newsletter to hear first and get a free pet emergency contact card.
Try the numbers for your pet.
Our free pet cost calculator works it out in seconds. No sign-up.
Questions people ask
How much does a dog cost per year?
Rover's 2026 report estimates about $1,930 to $5,305 a year for an adult dog, depending on size, breed, location and choices like insurance.
How much does a dog cost over its lifetime?
About $19,840 for a small dog, $35,415 to $43,285 for a medium dog and $58,875 for a large dog, according to Rover's 2026 report.
What is the cheapest way to own a dog?
Adopt, keep your dog at a healthy weight, stay on top of preventive care and dental health, and buy food and preventatives in bulk when it makes sense.
Save this for later.
Pin it to your pet board so it's there when you need it.
The Paw Plan shares general information, not veterinary advice. Every pet is different, so check with your vet about your pet's health, diet and care.