The Cost of Dog Ownership

Preparing to welcome a dog into your home is a very exciting time.

Before diving in, it’s good to know what costs you can expect with caring for a four-legged friend, both in the short and long term.

Keep reading to find out all the monthly, yearly and long-term costs of dog ownership.

Upfront costs of dog ownership

The first costs you’ll be dealing with are those tied to adopting a dog or buying one from a breeder. Associated adoption fees can differ between shelters, and the fees will typically cover essentials like vaccinations, microchipping, and desexing.

Buying from a breeder usually costs more than adopting from a shelter, and these costs will be even higher for in-demand breeds or purebreds. If you choose to purchase a very young puppy from a breeder, you may also have to cover the costs for their desexing when they reach the appropriate age. A desexing procedure can often cost anywhere between $350 to $750 depending on the size and breed of the dog.

Outside of the adoption or purchase fees, your dog will also need essentials from day one, regardless of age. These are:

• Food and water bowls
• A bed
• Toys and enrichment items (including a dog lead for walks)

If you’re getting a puppy, you’ll also want to invest in:

• Puppy training pads (allows your little friend to go to bathroom inside before they’re ready to use the yard)
• Puppy play pen (they can explore the outside world in a safe, secured environment)

These initial costs are mostly one-off purchases. It’s worth putting your money into quality products, which will reduce how often you need to replace these items and save you money in the long run.

The price range you can expect varies from $240 to around $430. And, as noted, if you need to get your dog desexed, this could add anywhere from $350 to $750 to your costs.

The good news is that if you purchase products through Petstock, you’ll earn rewards along the way to get more out of every dollar spent.

Monthly dog ownership costs

After a couple weeks, your new dog should be feeling nice and settled, and you can start accounting for the usual ongoing expenses. It’s best to start with the monthly costs first, which are all about their food and health needs.

Dog food

Dog food is where most of your money will go, and you’ll likely need to switch up the type of food you buy over time. This isn’t just because of the different needs that a puppy has versus a full-grown dog, but also if your dog has specific dietary needs.

Premium dog food costs more than basic dog food, but it’s also more nutritious and can better support your bud’s long-term health. For more bang for your buck, keep an eye out for dog food that earns you Pet Cash.

Another variable is the size of your dog. You can expect the following monthly costs depending on your dog’s size:

• Small dog (up to 10kg): $30 to $60 a month
• Medium dog (between 10kg and 25kg): $50 to $100 a month
• Large dog (25kg+): $90 to $180 a month

When possible, it’s best to purchase larger batches of wet food and dry food as these will result in long-term savings. Petstock offers free standard delivery on all orders over $25 - and if you opt for Autoship, you’ll receive ongoing deliveries of the same food products with savings of up to 15% on each delivery.

Health

No matter the age of your dog, they’ll need regular care to ensure they’re at their healthiest. This isn’t just about vet visits (we’ll touch on this under yearly costs), but what you can do at home to help your dog stay safe.

This is primarily in preventing fleas, ticks, worms and other parasites. These include spot-on treatments, chewable treatments, flea and tick collars, and more. Many of these treatments work on a monthly basis to kill fleas, ticks, worms, and other parasites - however others can work effectively for multiple months.

Regardless of the specific treatment you opt for, it’s good to set aside $20 to $30 per month for it.

Yearly dog ownership costs

Your biggest yearly cost will be tied to vet visits and other wellbeing considerations.

Vet visits

If you have a puppy at home, you may need to pay for more frequent vet visits in the beginning - these include an initial check-up, ensuring they have their necessary vaccinations, and getting them desexed.

General appointments and vaccinations typically cost a few hundred dollars. Prices vary between vets, with appointments often costing between $150 to $200, while additional vaccinations or treatments may add anywhere from $50 to $250 to those visits.

Petstock offers veterinary services and $20 off your first visit. If you’re a Petstock Rewards member, you can also take advantage of free dental checks and weight checks, as well as a free puppy health check if your puppy is under 16 weeks of age.

After your dog's initial vet visits, book an annual health check-up to monitor their health and keep vaccinations up to date. It’s a good idea to set aside $500 for these visits - and have another $1,000 on hand for any unexpected visits.

You’ll find a range of payment options available through Petstock Vet should you need more time to cover the costs of an appointment.

Grooming and maintenance

Dogs are adventurous, so getting a little dirty is to be expected. You have several options for grooming, including general cleaning at home through the use of brushes and baths.

Professional grooming at Petstock starts from just $30, with services tailored to suit dogs of all breeds, sizes and coat types. Our trained grooming team can help keep your dog looking and feeling their best.

Depending on your dog's grooming requirements and how often they visit, this can become an ongoing expense to factor into your annual budget.

Other costs to account for

Toys

Even the highest quality toys will break occasionally after dogs are through with them. Luckily, dog toys are affordable, so keeping a spare $50 to $100 aside each year should do the trick.

Travel and boarding

If you don’t have a friend or family member on hand available to look after your dog when you go travelling, you may need to pay for dog daycare and boarding. Prices vary significantly between providers, so it’s best to research your options and find what works best for you. You can check out some dog daycare options here.

Behavioural needs

Depending on the temperament of your dog, they may have specific behavioural needs. One such example is a dog with anxiety - they may require specific medications, supplements, or foods and treats that promote a calming effect.

Overall costs

With the above mentioned costs, you have a general idea of what to set aside for your dog’s recurring expenditures.

• Food costs: Up to $180 a month/$2,160 a year. Small dogs may cost less, while large breeds or dogs with premium diets could exceed this.
• Flea, tick, worm and parasite treatment: Up to $30 a month/$360 a year
• Vet visits: Consider setting aside around $1,500 a year to cover routine care and any unexpected trips to the vet.
• Grooming: Around $920 a year, though costs vary significantly depending on breed and coat type.
• Toys: Budget around $50-150 a year, though this can climb quickly depending on how often your dog "accidentally" destroys their toys – or how much you enjoy spoiling them with new ones.

Ready to get the products you need for your new dog? Explore our range of puppy products today!