Here’s how much it costs to own a pet in 2025

Owning a pet can be one of life's greatest gifts, but a new study reveals how much it could cost you. 

Rover, the world’s largest online marketplace for loving pet care, released its “True Cost of Pet Parenthood Report” for dogs and cats. The company wants to educate current and prospective pet owners about the cost of caring for a furry friend. 

How much does it cost to take care of a pet?

By the numbers:

The report states the average lifetime care for a 10-year-old dog costs approximately $34,550 and $32,170 for a 16-year-old cat. 

However, the costs can vary based on breed, size, health conditions and lifespan, with cats expected to live longer than the average dog.

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Rover says as inflation and tariffs continue to be a concern, pet parents can expect to spend about 11% more for veterinary fees this year, 183% more for pet cleaning supplies, 20% more for grooming supplies and 85% more for treats and chews.

In addition, Rover says more than a quarter (28%) of pet parents admit they are worried about being able to afford the things their pet needs right now and half (52%) are concerned that tariffs will further increase the cost of having a pet.

But there is some financial relief. Rover said the cost of bringing a pet home is lower than in 2024–likely due to waning adoption rates. In 2025, bringing a new dog home can range from $1,150 to $4,420 and a new cat can cost between $750 and $2,715. 

What they're saying:

“Working with pet parents on a daily basis, two things are clear: people are concerned about the high and rising costs of pet parenthood, and pet parents continue to be unwavering in their commitment to their furry family members,” said Dr. Rebecca Greenstein, Rover Pet People Panelist and Owner of the Kleinburg Veterinary Hospital. “While the lifetime costs of a pet can potentially be overwhelming, the average healthy dog or cat can live for a decade or more, and the love and companionship they provide is priceless. Being financially prepared with a budget or dedicated savings, and focusing on prevention with regular checkups and recommended vaccines can help the financial responsibility of pet parenthood feel more manageable.”

Other findings from the study

• Sixty-nine percent of pet parents report that pet food and treats take up the majority of their budget.
• One in three (33%) pet parents have reduced spending in other areas of their life (e.g. groceries, entertainment) to make sure they could afford the things their pets need.
• One in four (25%) pet parents have made lifestyle changes to reduce pet spending, such as switching to a more affordable pet food or finding more affordable pet care.
• A third (34%) of pet parents say pet spending is one of the last categories they would cut if budgets were tight.

The top 10 most affordable cities for pet parents are:

• Parsons, KS
• Lawton, OK
• Anniston, AL
• Springfield, MO
• Tupelo, MS
• Evansville, IN
• Jonesboro, AR
• McAllen, TX
• Beckley, WV
• Dayton, OH

The 10 least affordable cities for pet parents are:

• Manhattan, NY
• San Francisco, CA
• Greenwich, CT
• Seattle, WA
• Honolulu, HI
• Bethesda, MD
• Anchorage, AK
• Boston, MA
• Portland, ME
• Hoboken, NJ

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