It’s hard to put a price on how much joy our pets bring to our lives, but a new survey reveals how much they’re costing us. It asked 2-thousand cat and dog owners about how much they shell out during a year and it’s not a small number. The average pet parent spends about $48-hundred a year on their four-legged baby.
According to the survey:
- Over the course of a year, pet owners spend a lot on food, $633, but even more on treats, $645.
- They also spend almost $600 on toys ($585) and clothes for their pet ($598).
- Overall, the most expensive pet cost is health care, at an average of $1,242 for vet visits.
- While half of pet parents tried to budget the amount they’d spend on their pet this year, they only averaged $2,640, but spent nearly twice that.
- As a result, 41% say they spend more on their pets than anticipated this year and 44% predict they’ll spend even more on their pet in the year ahead.
- Despite the expense, 83% of pet owners say there’s no limit on how much they’d spend to make sure their pet is happy and healthy.
- Dog and cat parents have spent an average of $176 on a fun splurge for their pet, including a “large swimming pool,” “a giant cat tree” and “a birthday party with neighborhood pets, cake, a DJ and a piñata.”
- During the holidays, 63% usually buy their pet a present.
- Many pet owners also make pet-related New Year’s resolutions, including spending more quality time with their animals (38%) and being more proactive about their health (32%).
- Almost two-thirds (64%) are considering getting a new pet in 2024 to keep their pet company.
Source: SWNS Digital