PET FINANCE$
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What it Costs to Raise a Dog
Lynn C. Allison
May 17, 2026
If you remember that old song, “How Much is That Doggy in the Window?” sung by Patti Page back in the 1950’s, you might be wondering what it costs to bring home a dog today. According to various reports, it’s a pricey business.
The Rover’s True Cost of Pet Parenthood Report 2025 estimates that annual dog care costs range from $1,390 to $5,295, and that the lifetime care is approximately $35,000 for a 10-year-old dog. Costs are expected to rise even higher on the heels of ongoing inflation and tariffs.
Here’s a rough breakdown:
Adoption fee. Whether you adopt a dog from a shelter or rescue group, the organization will charge an adoption fee that often includes spay or neuter surgery, microchipping and vaccines. Breeders will charge for their documentation and pedigrees and may include a certificate of good health. Costs can range from hundreds of dollars to thousands, depending on where you purchase your dog.
Medical care. Veterinarian costs vary, so it’s important to do your homework and find a reasonable and reputable vet near you. Dr. Leslie Hack, founder of Boca Veterinary Clinic, suggests looking for a facility that has several doctors and offers in-house ultrasound and echocardiograms to save money on specialized care. Expect to pay $200 -$2,000 on routine vet visits annually, especially in the first year.
Also, your dog requires regular:
•Vaccines: $70-$180 for basic vaccines.
•Fea and tick preventatives: $15-$100 per dose.
Supplies. To keep your dog healthy, there’s a lot of shopping to do! Here’s some essential items for your list:
•Food and treats. Premium food costs more but often has higher quality ingredients to keep your dog healthy. According to Rover’s 2025 dog cost report, adult dogs typically cost between $655 to $1,805 annually for food. People also spend between $50 and $730 per year on treats.
•Essential supplies. The upfront costs of bringing a dog home range from $1,150 to $4,420. These costs include not only the adoption fee, license and food but also essentials such as a crate ($60-$390), a bed ($15-$365), a leash ($10-$40), a collar or harness ($35-$85) and other items such as poop bags, wee-wee pads, nail clippers, shampoos and brushes.
•Toys and accessories. These items enrich the dog’s environment and the annual cost ranges from $20 to $100 annually.
•Grooming. Many breeds may require professional grooming which can cost $100 or more per session, every 6-8 weeks. Grooming supplies alone can range from $300 to $645 annually, according to Rover’s report.
Training. Professional training helps your new dog become acclimatized to your home and to your family. Hiring a dog trainer can be an essential part of a positive experience to ensure that you and your pet enjoy each other’s company. Group classes are fine and range between $30 to $80 a session, according to Chewy.com. A private trainer will cost around $140 a session, depending on where you live.
Dog sitting and boarding. When you travel, you’ll want to leave your dog in good hands. Boarding costs can range from $25 to $85 a night. Private pet sitters who come to your home can cost upwards of $50 per night. If you are comfortable, you can hire a dog walker to come in several times during the day and early evening for about $12 to $20 an hour.
Pet Insurance. More and more pet owners are opting for medical insurance for their pets. The average pet insurance policy costs about $46 per month for dogs, according to Forbes Advisor. “I advise my clients to prepare for the worst-case scenarios,” says Dr. Hack. “Wellness plans are fine, but the real expense lies in emergency visits requiring expensive surgery and treatment.” Even putting away $100 a month toward emergency care can help defray a four to five-figure bill.
Miscellaneous expenses. As your dog ages, there will be additional expenses to keep him healthy which may not be covered by insurance. Senior pets, for example, often need cataract surgery or hip replacements. These surgeries can cost thousands of dollars, not including the aftercare needed. And, of course, there’s the part of dog ownership nobody likes to discuss and that’s end-of-life care. Euthanasia costs vary between $120 at the vet, to hundreds if you choose to have your dog cared for at home.
So, while that doggy in the window may be appealing, be aware that bringing him home will be costly, so be prepared for the process and do your homework before making a lifelong commitment.
Pet Trusts & Wills
Why It’s Important to Provide for Your Pet
Lynn C. Allison
When my Mollie passed, I was surprised at how many rescue groups did not accept my application for a dog because of my age. I was horrified, insulted, and couldn’t believe that people could be turned away because of their senior status.
Now I know why. After working with Chesed recently I’ve seen too many dogs being surrendered because their mom or dad had to move to a nursing or hospice facility that does not accept pets. In two cases that I am aware of, the children of these older pet owners could not or did not want to take care of their pets. So it is vital to make provisions for your pets no matter what your age, but especially if you are older.
“You can’t ever assume that someone will take responsibility if there is no prearrangement,” warns Elise Gross, a local attorney who specializes in Wills and trusts. “Also, older animals are a bigger responsibility and have extra costs for their care. If your family doesn’t live locally, asking them to take your pet if you die or become sick might be difficult because of transportation and costs.”
From what I personally have witnessed, even family members who are local may not be able to care for your pet so the time to make arrangements, even if you are not a senior, is now. You never know what tomorrow may bring, so being prepared gives you and your pet peace of mind.
“It’s important to make a plan,” says Gross. “Historically I see the most need with people who are single or have no children. People who have tortoises who live a long time should also make provisions for their pet.”
There are several ways to do this. You can establish a pet trust and make arrangements with a local shelter or a friend to care for your pet. Gross has had several clients who have made arrangements with pet sanctuaries in other parts of the country and provided funds in their estate to pay for the transport and give a donation as well.
“This is more common when people have multiple pets and want to keep them together,” she says.
To properly prepare for your pets, you must name a person you trust as a custodian or trustee under a pet trust and leave sufficient funds to fund that trust, says Gross.
“Be very specific as to what is allowed to be paid from the funds,” she says. “The rule for pet trusts, also known as honorary trusts, is that it must be for a living pet. It can’t be for the offspring of the existing pet unless the offspring is alive when the owner dies.”
It’s also important to designate what should be done with any leftover monies once the initial pet dies to avoid any confrontation with a disgruntled family member. One famous example of this is when billionaire Leona Helmsley left $12 million to care for her Maltese, Trouble, after she passed, and the courts stepped in and reduced the amount she allocated to care for her dog.
“Since animals are not human, they cannot own property of any kind,” Gross concludes. “Since they are property, the have to be dealt with as part of a Will or trust.” She adds that it is also a good idea to keep medical and vaccination records in a place where they can be easily found, so that whoever takes the pet or pets has the information.
Contact:
Elise Gross, Esq.
Law Office of Elise Gross, P.A.
7000 W. Palmetto Park Rd.
Suite 210
Boca Raton, Fl. 33433
(561) 367-7772
Why do I need pet insurance or a wellness plan?
Lynn C. Allison
There is no question that while owning a pet is a delightful pleasure and privilege, it’s also a huge responsibility. And very often, it is an expensive proposition. That’s why all pet owners should consider getting health insurance or wellness packages—or both--to ensure that they make budgeting for pet care more manageable and predictable.
Dr. Andrew Turkell, partner and medical director of Calusa Veterinary Care in Boca Raton, Florida says that the price of pet surgeries, emergency treatments, and treatments for illness can be extremely costly, sometimes reaching thousands of dollars. Pet insurance helps prepare and manage these unexpected costs, ensuring your pet can receive the best care without causing a financial burden.
In my own experience, Mollie’s surgery for bladder cancer cost over $10,000, and chemotherapy for Bunny had a similar price tag. That’s a lot of money and for so many pet owners, the burden of guilt in not being able to provide proper care of their pet is devastating.
“Pet insurance can give pet owners peace of mind, knowing that financial constraints won’t stand in the way of medical treatments,” Turkell says. He reminds us that even healthy pets can encounter accidents or sudden illnesses. Having pet insurance protects against these unforeseen circumstances.
So, what about wellness plans? These generally cover routine and preventative care, such as vaccinations and annual check-ups, dental care and flea and parasite treatments.
“They can help with ongoing care and keeping your pet healthy,” notes the expert. Pet insurance, on the other hand, covers the emergencies, accidents, surgeries and more significant illnesses and health events that crop up.
Having both a wellness plan along with pet insurance offers the most comprehensive protection for your pet and your pocketbook by providing for day-to-day health maintenance as well as provisions for unexpected emergencies and medical scenarios.
Here are some points to look for when selecting a plan for your pet:
•Ease of payment. When choosing the right plan for you, investigate flexible payment options. Ask if the insurance plan allows direct payments to veterinarians or if you need to pay upfront and seek reimbursement.
•Deductibles. Ask if the insurance plan has a per-incident deductible or an annual one. Lower deductibles often lead to higher premiums but can reduce the out-of-pocket costs when an incident occurs.
•Caps on payouts. Many pet insurance policies have caps or limits on the total amount they will pay out annually, or per condition, or even over the lifetime of the pet. Ensure the limits are high enough to cover potential emergencies.
•Reimbursement rates. Some insurance policies reimburse a percentage of total vet bill. Understand the percentage they cover, as well as the process and speed of reimbursement.
•Exclusions and waiting periods. Make sure you understand if the insurance policy excludes pre-existing conditions, hereditary issues, or other medical concerns. Additionally, note any waiting periods before actual coverage begins.and safe facilities.
Contact:
Dr. Andrew Turkell
Calusa Veterinary Center
6900 Congress Ave.
Boca Raton, Fl. 33487
(561) 999-3000