The True Cost of Owning a Dog

This is typically how I spend my money:

  1. I work and earn a paycheck.
  2. I look into my dogs’ eyes and feel the need to spoil them.
  3. I drive to the pet store.
  4. I load a bunch of toys and clothes into the wagon.
  5. I hand over my paycheck to the checkout person. 

I’m always joking that my dogs are my little “money suckers.” Between grooming, food, treats, toys, clothes, and vet bills, I am always spending money on my dogs. Let me clarify — I am not complaining about this. Their love supersedes any amount of money. However, if you don’t currently own a dog then you may not realize how expensive they can be. While some breeds are more expensive than others, they all require a little splurge from time to time. 

The True Cost of Owning a Dog

To help aspiring pet parents understand the true cost of owning a dog, the pet-sitting company Rover has put together an infographic. They estimate that adopting a new pup typically costs owners $2,858 in the first year. In my experience, this is pretty accurate. However, as you read through the infographic below, keep in mind these figures are just estimates.

cost of owning a dog

Via Rover