The Rising Costs of Pet Ownership: What You Need to Know
Pet ownership is a cherished duty for many Americans. The cost to care for dogs and cats is rising fast. Rover’s "True Cost of Pet Parenthood Report" shows that expenses will grow in 2025. Pet parents must know these changes to plan and budget well.
An Example of Pet Ownership Costs
Sara Amato is a web designer living in Union City, New Jersey. She adopted Finn, an Australian cattle dog mix, at eight weeks old. After two years with Finn, Sara shares her costs. She spends about $722 each month. This money goes for special food, pet insurance, training, and grooming. Her annual total works out to $8,664. Sara also spent nearly $8,804 once. These one-time fees were for Finn’s puppy training, surprise medical bills, and allergy tests. Finn is allergic to many things, such as human skin and trees. This makes his care and special diet costly. Sara said, “I will spend whatever I have to to make sure that he's a happy, healthy, fulfilled dog.”
Increasing Costs for Pet Owners
Rover’s report shows rising costs for pet care. Dog expenses may go up by 7% this year, while cat costs may rise by 10%. A typical dog owner now spends between $1,390 and $5,295 a year. This range depends on a dog’s breed, size, age, and health. Cat owners pay about $830 to $3,095 each year. This is a 10% jump from last year.
The cost of a pet over its lifetime grows too. For a 10-year-old dog, the total cost is near $34,550. For a 16-year-old cat, it is about $32,170. ## External Factors Affecting Pet Care Costs
Costs are rising because product and service prices grow. New tariffs on imported goods may add to the prices of pet supplies. In a survey of 1,000 pet parents, 52% worry that tariffs will stress their budgets. Rover expects prices to spike in many areas. Veterinary services, cleaning products, grooming supplies, treats, and chew items may cost more. Cleaning supplies may cost up by 183% and grooming items up by 20%. Nearly 69% of pet parents say food and treats take most of their pet budget. One out of three owners has had to cut spending in other areas for their pets.
Changing Perspectives on Pet Ownership
Many people now see pets as family members. Nicole Ellis, a certified dog trainer and pet lifestyle expert with Rover, says this change leads to higher spending on pet health and care. The American Pet Products Association notes that spending on pets hit $150.6 billion in 2024. This is a big jump from $91 billion in 2018. The spending might reach $207 billion by 2030. This growth shows the rapid change in the pet industry.
Planning for Pet Care
As costs rise, pet parents plan for unexpected events. A Rover survey found that 21% of pet parents now list their pets in legal documents like wills. Another 40% think about making similar plans. Pet owners also set aside funds for sudden vet visits and emergencies. Many see pet insurance as a smart buy, with one-third opting for it.
The Personal Touch of Pet Ownership
Even if costs are high, love for a pet makes it all worthwhile. Sara Amato shows how deep that bond can be. She admits that her spending on Finn is more than the average pet expense. Yet, she feels no regret. “He’s like my child,” she said. This feeling mirrors the strong bond many pet owners share with their pets.
The financial side of pet care is changing. Future pet parents must watch these cost trends and prepare for a long commitment.
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