The Costs of Pet Ownership

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Before you bring that lovable critter home, you should consider the costs behind having a companion animal. Food and collars are only two of a whole litany of costs that the average pet owner will incur within a year.  The ASPCA wants you to be ready to care for that new companion in all the ways he/she needs. We've compiled a list of expected annual costs for your new friend.

Small Dogs: They may be pocket sized and lovable but they're no small cost. While crate costs and spay/neuter fees are lessened, a smaller dog, like a Yorkshire terrier and pugs, can still cost nearly $800 annually.

Food	Medical	Toys	License	Misc.	Spay/Neuter	Collar	Carrier	Crate	Grooming	Total
$150	$150	$50	$15	$35	$75	$25	$30	$50	$200	$780

Medium Dogs: Coming in a close second, medium-sized dogs, like beagles and cocker spaniels, are nearly the most costly pets, fetching up to $1,115 annually.

Food	Medical	Toys	License	Misc.	Spay/Neuter	Collar	Carrier	Crate	Grooming	Total
$250	$175	$60	$15	$45	$100	$30	$50	$90	$300	$1,115

Large Dogs: Big dogs like golden retrievers, labrabors and Dalmatians may have a special place in your heart but get ready to make room for them in your wallet.  Obvious expenses like food and crates for large dogs are high and first year total expenses can reach $1,500.

Food	Medical	Toys	License	Misc.	Spay/Neuter	Collar	Carrier	Crate	Grooming	Total
$350	$200	$70	$15	$65	$125	$35	$80	$160	$400	$1,500

Cats can provide warmth and companionship with considerably fewer demands than their canine counterparts.  However, every furball comes with a price tag. Total first year costs for a cat can reach upwards of $640.

Food	Medical	Litter	Toys	Misc.	Spay/Neuter	Litter Box	Collar	Carrier	Total
$120	$150	$150	$50	$30	$75	$25	$10	$30	$640

Rabbits may require even less attention than felines but costs for a floppy eared friend can exceed $885 for the first year.  Where a rabbit may not require walking, litter costs for your pet can more than double that of cats.

Food	Medical	Litter	Toys	Misc.	Spay/Neuter	Litter Box	Cage	Carrier	Total
$110	$125	$400	$25	$15	$75	$25	$80	$30	$885

Guinea Pigs don't even need to be spayed, but litter costs for these furballs are as high as for that of a rabbit.  Costs for a guinea pig can exceed $645 in the first year.

Food	Medical	Litter	Toys	Misc.	Cage	Total
$75	$50	$400	$25	$15	$80	$645

Gerbils and Hamsters qualify as small mammals and incur the least in costs for quadrapeds. Again, spaying is not a problem with small mammals but there are other costs to consider, such as cages and litter, which can bring the tab up to $330 in the first year.

Food	Litter	Toys	Misc.	Cage	Total
$50	$220	$10	$15	$35	$330

Small Birds such as parakeets or the cheapest pets to keep but that doesn't mean free. One must provide toys and treats and a cage for their feathered friends.  That can cost up to $170 in the first year.

Food	Toys	Misc.	Cage	Total
$50	$30	$15	$75	$170

Fish have their own costs and concerns.  Tanks, trinkets and playgrounds for your fish can raise costs up to $185.

Food	Misc.	Aquarium	Total
$20	$15	$150	$185