Deciding to add a pet to the family can feel like an easy choice, as there’s no doubt that having a new cat or dog at home will bring you happiness for years to come. But there’s one major downside some people don’t consider ahead of time … the cost. A new study reveals it’s never been more expensive to be a pet parent, and it breaks down just how much people are spending on it.
According to the research from Money.com and Healthy Paws Pet Insurance, routine expenses for a dog or cat now average $4,272 a year. That includes basics like food, vet visits, grooming and supplies, but not emergency costs or treatments for diseases. If a pet lives for 12 years, that adds up to more than $50-thousand.
The $4,272 breaks down to cover:
- High-quality food and treats $85 to $150 a month/$1,020 to $1,800 a year
- Routine vet care (wellness) $40 to $40 a month/$480 to $720 a year
- Grooming (breed specific) $100 to 120 a month/$1,200 to $1,500 a year
- Preventative meds (flea/tick/heartworm) $25 to 45 a month/$300 to $540 a year
- Insurance premiums $35 to $55 a month/$420 to $660 a year
- For a total of $285 to $435 a month/$3,420 to $5,220 a year, and that’s before anything goes wrong.
- According to the study, a single emergency surgery can cost anywhere from $3,500 to $7-thousand, while cancer treatment starts at $6-thousand and can run up to $15-thousand or more for radiation or chemo.
Source: Vice