Rover Reveals Soaring Pet Care Costs: 2025 True Cost of Pet Parenthood Report Highlights Inflation Strains on Dog and Cat Owners

Rover Releases True Cost of Pet Parenthood Report for 2025

SEATTLE, March 18, 2025 – Rover, the world’s largest online marketplace for pet care, publishes its sixth annual True Cost of Pet Parenthood Report. The report mixes data, research, and pet parent feedback. It explains the costs of owning a pet in 2025 with clear links between ideas.

Rising Costs for Pet Owners

Pet ownership grows fast. Dog owners face a 7% cost rise. Cat owners face up to a 10% increase. A 10‐year-old dog costs roughly $34,550 over its life. A 16‐year-old cat costs about $32,170. Factors like breed, size, and health tie closely to these numbers. Cats, usually, live longer than dogs.

Inflation and new tariffs push prices higher. Veterinary fees jump by 11% in 2025. Pet cleaning supplies rise by 183%. Grooming supplies go up by 20%, and pet treats and chews by 85%. Over 28% of pet owners worry about being able to afford basic supplies. Fifty-two percent fear tariffs will worsen costs.

Adoption Costs Decrease

Adoption costs drop even as other pet expenses rise. A new dog now costs between $1,150 and $4,420. A new cat costs between $750 and $2,715. Shelters offer the best deals, often including vaccinations and spay or neuter services. Adoption fees drop 19% for dogs and 16% for cats.

Dr. Rebecca Greenstein, a Rover Pet People Panelist and veterinarian, says, “While pet costs may feel heavy, the love and warmth they bring are priceless. Budgeting well and using preventive care can control the expenses.”

Key Findings from the Report

Rover finds clear trends among pet parents. Twenty percent adopted a pet in 2024. Thirty-three percent plan to adopt next year. Sixty-nine percent say food and treats form a large part of their budget. Thirty-three percent cut spending elsewhere to care for their pet. Twenty-five percent change their lifestyle to manage pet costs. Thirty-one percent set aside funds for emergencies. Many use subscription services, strict budgets, and pet insurance to tie costs together.

Pet Ownership and Legal Considerations

The report stresses legal planning for pets. Twenty-one percent include their pets in documents like wills. Forty percent plan to do so. Forty-four percent hope for more tax benefits tied to pet ownership.

Geographic Cost Variability

Costs for pet care vary by location. The ten most affordable cities for pet parents are:

1. Parsons, KS
2. Lawton, OK
3. Anniston, AL
4. Springfield, MO
5. Tupelo, MS
6. Evansville, IN
7. Jonesboro, AR
8. McAllen, TX
9. Beckley, WV
10. Dayton, OH

The least affordable cities for pet ownership are:

1. Manhattan, NY
2. San Francisco, CA
3. Greenwich, CT
4. Seattle, WA
5. Honolulu, HI
6. Bethesda, MD
7. Anchorage, AK
8. Boston, MA
9. Portland, ME
10. Hoboken, NJ

Conclusion

Pet ownership grows and shows clear cost trends. The True Cost of Pet Parenthood Report ties research and data to prepare families for future expenses. It stresses the need for financial planning and responsibility. For full details, including city-by-city costs, visit Rover’s website.

For press inquiries, contact:
Kristin Sandberg
Email: pr@rover.com
Phone: 360-510-6365

For more information about Rover, visit www.rover.com.

contact mindful ai media creations here: mindfulaimedia@gmail.com