What will my pet really cost?
Plain-English US price guides for dog and cat care, from vet visits to TPLO surgery to diabetes, plus a breed library. Every number links to its public source.
Printable pet health planners
Printable dog & cat health logs for vet visits, vaccines, medications, insulin and more. Instant download: print at home and bring the right info to every appointment.
LAUNCH30 bundle sale is on now.
Shop on Etsy →
- 37 cost guides
- 162 public sources cited
- 37 breed profiles
- 3 free calculators
- 0 invented numbers
Cost guides
Vet visit cost
A routine exam fee is usually under $100, but the full bill grows once vaccines and tests are added.
Read guide →Dental & surgeryDental cleaning cost
Dental cleanings are done under anesthesia, and extractions can raise the bill a lot.
Read guide →Dental & surgerySpay and neuter cost
Low-cost and nonprofit clinics are often far cheaper than full-service practices.
Read guide →Vet careVaccine cost
Core vaccines are usually priced per shot, and puppies and kittens need a series.
Read guide →Vet careEmergency vet cost
The emergency exam fee is only the start; diagnostics and treatment make up most of the bill.
Read guide →Chronic conditionsCost of a diabetic cat
Feline diabetes is a monthly cost that doesn't stop, though some cats reach remission.
Read guide →Chronic conditionsCost of a diabetic dog
Dogs usually need insulin for life, so plan for an ongoing monthly budget.
Read guide →Chronic conditionsCost of chronic kidney disease in cats
CKD is common in older cats and is managed rather than cured, so costs build over time.
Read guide →Chronic conditionsCost of kidney disease in dogs
We couldn't find a reliable published US price range for managing canine kidney disease, so we don't list one.
Read guide →Budgeting & ownershipPet insurance basics
Insurance usually reimburses you after you pay the vet. It generally won't cover conditions that existed before you enrolled.
Read guide →Budgeting & ownershipPuppy first-year cost
The first year costs the most because of one-time supplies, vaccines and surgery.
Read guide →Budgeting & ownershipKitten first-year cost
Cats cost less than dogs, but the first year is still the most expensive.
Read guide →Budgeting & ownershipAnnual dog cost
After the first year, costs settle into a steady yearly rhythm.
Read guide →Budgeting & ownershipAnnual cat cost
Food and litter are the biggest steady costs for most cats.
Read guide →Care servicesBoarding cost
Holiday weeks and luxury suites cost more.
Read guide →Care servicesDog grooming cost
Coat type, size and how matted the coat is drive grooming prices.
Read guide →Vet careMicrochip cost
A microchip is a one-time cost that greatly improves the odds of getting a lost pet back.
Read guide →Dental & surgeryTooth extraction cost
Extractions are often found during a dental cleaning and can cost more than the cleaning itself.
Read guide →Vet careDiagnostics cost
Diagnostic tests are often the biggest part of a sick-pet visit.
Read guide →Vet careEuthanasia cost
This is a hard topic. Prices usually don't include cremation, and in-home service costs more.
Read guide →Budgeting & ownershipAdoption fees
Adoption fees vary by shelter and by the pet's age, so ask what has already been done, such as spay/neuter, vaccines or a microchip.
Read guide →Vet carePreventive medication cost
Preventives cost far less than treating heartworm or an infestation.
Read guide →Chronic conditionsSenior pet costs
Older pets need more checkups and lab work, and chronic conditions become more common.
Read guide →Dental & surgerySurgery and hospitalization cost
Big unexpected bills are the main reason people set aside an emergency fund or buy insurance.
Read guide →Dental & surgery · NewDog ACL (TPLO) surgery cost
A torn cruciate ligament (the dog version of an ACL) is often repaired with TPLO surgery, one of the biggest bills most dog owners face.
Read guide →Dental & surgery · NewCat dental cleaning cost
Cat dental cleanings are done under anesthesia, and extractions found during the cleaning can change the total.
Read guide →Chronic conditions · NewAllergy testing and treatment cost
Itchy skin and allergies are usually managed over months or years, so ongoing medication costs matter as much as the first visit.
Read guide →Vet care · NewEar infection treatment cost
Most ear infections are handled in a regular sick visit, but repeat infections and testing add up.
Read guide →Chronic conditions · NewCancer treatment cost basics
Cancer care is usually a course of treatment, not a single bill, and costs depend heavily on the type of cancer and the plan you choose with your vet.
Read guide →Vet care · NewMRI, CT and ultrasound cost
Advanced imaging is usually done at specialty or referral hospitals and needs anesthesia, which adds to the price.
Read guide →Chronic conditions · NewHeartworm treatment cost
Treating heartworm takes months and costs far more than a year of prevention.
Read guide →Chronic conditions · NewArthritis treatment cost
Arthritis is managed for the rest of a pet's life, so monthly medication and injections make up most of the cost.
Read guide →Vet care · NewPet cremation cost
Cremation is usually billed separately from euthanasia, and the type of cremation and your pet's size drive the price.
Read guide →Vet care · NewUTI and urinary blockage cost
A simple urinary tract infection is a sick-visit bill, but a blocked bladder, especially in male cats, is an emergency.
Read guide →Dental & surgery · NewPyometra surgery cost
Pyometra is a serious uterine infection in unspayed females, usually treated with emergency surgery.
Read guide →Vet care · NewPancreatitis treatment cost
Mild pancreatitis may be treated as an outpatient, but severe cases need days in the hospital.
Read guide →Vet care · NewVomiting, diarrhea and blockage cost
Stomach upsets are among the most common vet visits; swallowed objects that cause a blockage can need surgery.
Read guide →ToolsPet cost calculators
First-year, monthly budget and diabetic-pet costs.
Open calculators →No guides match. Try another word.
Breed library
See all 37 breeds →Size, lifespan, care needs and the health costs to plan for, from AKC, CFA and PetMD.
French Bulldog
Playful / Smart / Adaptable
⏳ 10–12+ years
⚖️ under 28 pounds
Labrador Retriever
Active / Friendly / Outgoing
⏳ 11–13+ years
⚖️ 65-80 pounds (male), 55-70 pounds (female)
Golden Retriever
Intelligent / Friendly / Devoted
⏳ 10–12+ years
⚖️ 65-75 pounds (male), 55-65 pounds (female)
German Shepherd Dog
Courageous / Confident / Smart
⏳ 12–14+ years
⚖️ 65-90 pounds (male), 50-70 pounds (female)
Dachshund
Curious / Friendly / Spunky
⏳ 12–16+ years
⚖️ 16-32 pounds (standard), 11 pounds & under (miniature)
Poodle
Active / Proud / Very Smart
⏳ 10–18+ years
⚖️ 60-70 pounds (male standard), 40-50 pounds (female standard)
Maine Coon
Gentle, easy going yet active
⏳ Around 13+ years
⚖️ Males 18–25 lb, females 10–14 lb
Ragdoll
Docile, placid and affectionate
⏳ Up to 17 years
⚖️ Can grow to about 20 lb
Persian
Sweet, affectionate, quiet
⏳ About 10–13+ years on average
⚖️ 7–13 lb
Exotic (Exotic Shorthair)
Sweet, affectionate, quiet
⏳ Typically 8–15+ years
⚖️ 10–12 lb
Partners
Become a homepage partner →Get the free monthly pet budget email
Price changes, money-saving tips and new guides. No spam.