Dogs make amazing companions, but they can definitely be tough on your wallet. On average, it costs roughly $860 to $2,200 a year to keep your pup happy and healthy—and that’s not even counting the adoption costs.
Before you rush home with your new furry buddy, we’ve laid out the costs of owning a dog, including insights from actual pet parents, plus expert tips from Lemonade’s favorite vet, Dr. Stephanie Liff.
What are the starting costs of owning a dog?
Adopting a dog from a shelter or rescue will usually cost you around $880 to $8900 to get your new furry friend all set up, though a lot of your initial costs depend on whether you choose to adopt your pup, or go the breeder route.
Fees charged by a rescue organization that often cover some of the initial costs of dog ownership, like vaccines and microchipping. Usually cheaper than what breeders charge
Up to $500, though you can expect to pay a higher adoption fee for puppies or specific breeds
Breeder fees
The fees breeders charge to adopt a puppy usually cover things like initial vaccinations, health checks, and more
Helps your pup find their way home if they get lost
$25 to $60
Vaccine cost breakdown
The cost of vaccines for your dog can vary based on a few things, like where you live, which vet you choose, and how many doses your dog needs. Adult dogs usually need yearly shots, while puppies often need several rounds to stay protected. Here’s a breakdown of what you can expect to pay for each dose.
Vaccine
Cost
DAPP or DHPP
$25 to $60/dose
Rabies
$40 to $75/dose
Bordetella
$19 to $60/dose
Leptospirosis
$30 to $65/dose
Lyme disease
$30 to $65/dose
Influenza
$30 to $70/dose
Vaccine cost guides
Want to know what each vaccine does, how often your dog needs them, or if they really need the flu shot? We’ve got you covered.
Setting up a cozy space and stocking up on tasty food and treats, can run you anywhere from $490 to $2,630. How much you spend really depends on how much you want to spoil them, but here’s a general idea of what it might cost to get your pup all set up.
Item
What’s included?
Average cost
Food
A dog’s diet can range from kibble to more gourmet options like raw or organic
$250 to $800
Treats
Training treats, dental chews, bully sticks, or even the crunchy carrot can keep your dog happy
A big chunk of this will go toward your furry friend’s routine health care:
Health item
Average annual cost
Annual wellness exam
$50 to $100
Vaccines
$165 to $450
Heartworm prevention
$70 to $200
Flea and tick prevention
$200 to $300
Annual dental cleaning
$500 to $1,000
And remember, you’ll also want to budget money for a year’s worth of grub and fun:
Food: $250 to $800
Treats: $60 to $180
Toys: $70 to $200
Odds and ends: $50 to $100
Lemonade took a deep dive into dog diets by surveying 1,000 dog owners, and found that $1,130 a year is spent on dog food. More traditional diets cost around $692 annually, while gourmet options can be much pricier—vegan diets, for example, can cost up to $4,274 a year!
Costs by breed
Did you know your dog’s breed can affect how much you’ll spend over their lifetime? Let’s take a quick look at the lifetime costs of owning some popular dog breeds.
Breed
Average lifetime cost
Labrador Retriever
$22,000 to $180,000
German Shepherd
$47,000 to $99,000
French Bulldog
$15,000 to $20,000
Cane Corso
$10,000 to $20,000
Akita
$15,000 to $30,000
Breed cost guides
Ever wondered how your dog’s breed influences the lifetime costs of ownership? We break it down by breed, sharing insights and interesting facts along the way.
It might take professional help to make sure your dog is, in fact, a “good boy”. Costs can vary depending on the kind of training, for example, basic obedience training in a group will cost less than a private session
If you go out of town, you might need to keep your dog at a kennel
$40 to $100 per night
Grooming
You’ll need to keep your dog fresh and clean
$50 to $200 depending on the size and breed of your dog
Travel costs
If you need to bring your dog on a plane with you, it can be a pretty steep expense, depending on their size
$100 to $200 each way for small dogs in cabin or $300 to $1,000 each way for a ride in cargo
Pet psychic
Tap into your dog’s deepest inner thoughts (yes, it’s a real thing!)
$250+ per session
How much does an emergency vet visit cost?
According to Dr. Liff, you can expect to pay at least $100 to $300 for an emergency veterinary exam—before any treatments, medications, x-rays, or surgeries. Whether your dog is suffering from an illness or had an accident, an emergency vet visit could easily cost you hundreds, if not thousands of dollars.
Vet cost breakdown
Wondering how much an emergency vet visit might cost? Whether your pup needs an x-ray after a rough round of frisbee, or intestinal blockage surgery after they decided to snack on your sock collection, here’s a breakdown of what you can expect for common emergency vet costs.
Vet service
Average cost
Vet visit fee
$50 to $150
CT scan
$1,500 to $3,500
Intestinal blockage surgery
$2,000 to $10,000
X-rays
$75 to $400
Ultrasounds
$300 to $600
Vet cost guides
Curious about the details of vet service costs? We’re here to break it all down for you.
Of dog owners surveyed by Lemonade, 24% say they’ve gone into debt to cover their pup’s medical bills, with 10% of dog owners reporting that they’ve spent $500 or more on emergency vet bills.
Being vigilant can lower the risk of your dog facing a medical emergency, but it’s not a guarantee—accidents happen, and being prepared is key. Surprisingly, 89% of dog owners surveyed don’t have a dedicated savings account for their pet.
Pet insurance offers a safety net for dog owners, especially if you enroll your pup when they’re young. If you try to insure a 9-year-old dog for the first time, they might be declined due to age or have pre-existing conditions that aren’t covered. As Lemonade’s favorite vet Dr. Stephanie Liff advises:
“When it comes to veterinary costs, an easy way to save (and avoid being bankrupted by major procedures for your fur fam) is by taking out a pet insurance policy. With pet insurance companies like Lemonade, you pay a monthly premium, after which your insurer would pay up to 90% of the costs for eligible treatments. That’s a lot of rawhide.”
-Dr. Stephanie Liff
Wondering if pet insurance is worth it for you? Check out how much pet parents of dogs have saved on vet bills by signing their fur baby up for pet insurance.
Before we go…
Pets make our lives better. But before you take on the commitment of being a pet parent, make sure you have the time, resources, and financial security to give your doggo the best life possible.
And hey, if you’re ready to take your dog home—consider getting your pup hooked up with Lemonade’s pet insurance.
A few quick words, because we <3 our lawyers: This post is general in nature, and any statement in it doesn’t alter the terms, conditions, exclusions, or limitations of policies issued by Lemonade, which differ according to your state of residence. You’re encouraged to discuss your specific circumstances with your own professional advisors. The purpose of this post is merely to provide you with info and insights you can use to make such discussions more productive! Naturally, all comments by, or references to, third parties represent their own views, and Lemonade assumes no responsibility for them. Coverage and discounts may not be available in all states.
Please note: Lemonade articles and other editorial content are meant for educational purposes only, and should not be relied upon instead of professional legal, insurance or financial advice. The content of these educational articles does not alter the terms, conditions, exclusions, or limitations of policies issued by Lemonade, which differ according to your state of residence. While we regularly review previously published content to ensure it is accurate and up-to-date, there may be instances in which legal conditions or policy details have changed since publication. Any hypothetical examples used in Lemonade editorial content are purely expositional. Hypothetical examples do not alter or bind Lemonade to any application of your insurance policy to the particular facts and circumstances of any actual claim.
