What it costs to own a small or exotic pet
From hamsters to horses: what each pet costs to get, set up and care for each year. Every figure links to its source.
Guides in this section
How much does a rabbit cost?
Adoption vs breeder, setup, spay or neuter, hay and monthly care.
See costsSmall petsHow much does a guinea pig cost?
Pet store, rescue and breeder prices, plus food for a pair and vet care.
See costsSmall petsHow much does a hamster cost?
Pet store prices, cage and setup, bedding, food and yearly totals.
See costsSmall petsHow much does a ferret cost?
Adoption and breeder prices, vaccines, cage, food and insurance.
See costsSmall petsHow much does a chinchilla cost?
Adoption, breeder and pet store prices, supplies and yearly care.
See costsSmall petsHow much does a pet rat cost?
Rats, mice and gerbils: store and breeder prices, supplies and monthly care.
See costsSmall petsHow much does a hedgehog cost?
Breeder prices, setup and yearly care.
See costsBirdsHow much does a parakeet (budgie) cost?
Budgie prices, yearly care and avian vet exams.
See costsBirdsHow much does a cockatiel cost?
Breeder and store prices, yearly care and vet exams.
See costsBirdsHow much does a parrot cost?
Conure and African grey prices, setup, yearly care and emergencies.
See costsReptilesHow much does a bearded dragon cost?
Store prices, tank and lighting setup, electricity and yearly care.
See costsReptilesHow much does a leopard gecko cost?
Store prices, supplies and yearly care. Crested gecko prices too.
See costsReptilesHow much does a ball python cost?
Ball python and corn snake prices, plus yearly care.
See costsReptilesHow much does a pet turtle cost?
Red-eared slider prices, tank setup and yearly care.
See costsFishHow much does a pet fish cost?
Betta and goldfish prices, plus starter and yearly costs.
See costsHorsesHow much does it cost to own a horse?
Feed, hoof care, vet care, startup and lifetime costs from university guides.
See costsVet careHow much does an exotic vet cost?
Exam and checkup prices for rabbits, birds, reptiles, ferrets and more.
See costsCompare at a glance
| Pet | To get one | Per year |
|---|---|---|
| Rabbit | $85–$450 adopt; $885–$1,490 breeder | $300–$800+ |
| Guinea pig | $30–$65 rescue; about $50 store | $500–$1,500 |
| Hamster | $10–$30 adopt; $15–$25 store | $400–$600+ |
| Ferret | $50–$300 adopt; $100–$400 breeder | $1,165–$3,130 |
| Chinchilla | $50–$100 adopt; $150–$1,000 breeder | $200–$350 |
| Pet rat | $11.99 store; $30–$100 breeder | $400–$500 |
| Hedgehog | $100–$500+ breeder | $200–$600+ |
| Parakeet | $20–$50 | $250–$400 |
| Cockatiel | $80–$250 breeder | $215–$700 |
| Conure | $300–$600 typical | $750–$1,000 |
| African grey | $800–$4,000 breeder | $1,200–$1,600 |
| Bearded dragon | $30–$100 | $600–$800 |
| Leopard gecko | $20–$50 | $350–$500 |
| Ball python | $50–$200 | $400–$550 |
| Turtle (red-eared slider) | $10–$30 | $285–$555 |
| Pet fish | Under $1 to $40 | About $84 (example) |
| Horse | Varies widely | $1,350–$3,000 basics; $4,000+ typical |
The CFPB's example budgets put a hamster at $60 to get and $192 a year, and a parakeet at $84 and $276 [1]. Over a lifetime of about 6 years, small companion animals cost $7,600–$14,938 in CareCredit's 2025 study [2].