What will my pet cost?

How this is calculated

• Yearly, low end: the ASPCA's yearly costs without insurance (food, litter or supplies, routine vet care, preventives). Vet costs are adjusted for your city's price level.
• Yearly, high end: adds one typical vet bill for a dog of that size (VetReceipt) or the high end of a cat's routine visit bills. Seniors add senior vet bills (VetReceipt for dogs, PetCostVS for cats).
• First year: adds the ASPCA's one-time costs (spay/neuter, vaccines, supplies). The high end also adds their grooming and dental budget. If your pet is already spayed and vaccinated, expect less.
• Insurance: the 2025 US average accident & illness premium (NAPHIA).
• Emergencies and surgery can cost far more. See emergency vet costs. This is a planning estimate, not a quote or veterinary advice.

Sources

1. ASPCA yearly and first-year tables (2021): food, supplies, routine care, one-time costs: ASPCA – Cutting Pet Care Costs (2021 table)
2. NAPHIA: average 2025 accident & illness insurance premiums: NAPHIA – State of the Industry 2026 report highlights (2025 premiums)
3. VetReceipt: typical vet bill by dog size: VetReceipt – Dog breed vet costs by size
4. VetReceipt: cat routine vet visit bills: VetReceipt – Cat Routine Vet Visit Cost (owner bills, 2026)
5. VetReceipt: senior dog vet bills: VetReceipt – Vet cost guides from 2,900+ owner bills
6. PetCostVS: senior cat yearly costs: PetCostVS – Pet cost by life stage (2026)
7. PawsRx: published exam fees by area: PawsRx – Vet prices published by 1,009 US practices (Oct 2026)
8. City adjustment: U.S. BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), the same figures used on our city pages.