That’s right, I’m talking about my dog. Fluffy ears, animated tail, and never-ending enthusiasm for fetch. Man’s best friend earned that name over centuries of developing codependency with humans. I got Jet during an emotionally challenging time in my life when my parents were going through a divorce. While I was a young adult and had a good support system around me, I needed a friend who would take my mind off more depressing topics and could provide unconditional love.
Getting Jet was one of the best decisions I have ever made and has brought me unending happiness. However, with this great benefit of dog ownership, comes a cost (there is always a cost in life). Having picked Jet out among his litter in my early 20s, I have learned the hard way the challenges of being a good dog owner, both financially and emotionally.
Once my fiance and I moved in together, we also added her dog, Daisy, to our family. With Jet and Daisy being extensions of our family, our friends have gotten familiar with hanging out with them and often express interest in getting dogs of their own. I am a big proponent of having a dog as part of your family, but always am quick to point out the costs of dog ownership.
In that same vein of thinking, below are the costs and considerations to ponder before committing to becoming a dog parent.
Hard Costs of Dog Ownership
Dog Acquisition Cost
I found Jet from a breeder not far from where I was living almost a decade ago. My then-roommates and I spent a lot of time researching breeds and settled on a Texas Heeler because of their intelligence, athleticism, and loyalty. After finding an ad on Craigslist for new Texas Heeler puppies, we went to check out the litter and picked out Jet because he was the calmest of the bunch (either they drugged him or he was a good actor). I paid $100 for Jet in 2011.
Texas Heelers are specifically bred part Australian Shepherd, part Blue Heeler, but are still technically a mixed-breed mutt which is why I think I was able to get a pretty good price for him. Conversely, growing up my family had a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel which required us to fly him in cross-country and cost nearly $1,000.
Another option, and one I highly support, is to adopt a dog. This is a great way to find an abandoned dog a nice home. Adoption costs will vary, but I would estimate a range of free to $150.
| Low-Cost Estimate | High-Cost Estimate | |
| Dog Purchase Price | Free | $1,000 |
Welcome Home Costs
Congratulations! You just invested in adding a new furry family member. Now you have to prepare the house to bring your new friend home. There are numerous things you will need to make sure you’re ready to provide a comfortable and safe environment for your new dog. These items include a crate (used for travel, housing, and training), a plushy bed, food and water bowls, pee pads (depending on how you want to potty train them), a leash, a collar, plenty of toys, and food. The global pet market is set to surpass $269 Billion by 2025, so there is no shortage of things to spend on your dogs.
The below table is a good estimate of some of the costs you may need to invest in during the first year of having a dog. Costs will vary depending on the size and age of your dog as well as the quality of the products you buy.
| Items | Low-Cost Estimate | High-Cost Estimate |
| Crate | $30 | $100 |
| Bed | $10 | $90 |
| Food | $600 ($50/mo) | $1,080 ($90/mo) |
| Leash and Collar | $20 | $50 |
| Toys | $50 | $100 |
| Shampoo, Poop Bags, Training Pee Pads (optional) | $50 | $170 |
| Subtotal | $760 | $1,590 |
Professor Tip: Don’t feel the need to spend on expensive, marked-up dog products. Spend your money on higher quality food and not on flashy accessories. Remember, your dog is a DOG! He will likely be just as happy with a tennis ball as an expensive toy. Additionally, buying things like poop bags in bulk will save a lot of money in the long run.
Medical Costs
Your dog’s health is paramount. Your dog is not just a possession, but an extension of your family. So when it comes to medical expenses, you’re going to have to eat the cost.
Insurance is one way to help cut down on future expenses. I have a love/hate relationship with insurance. When I got Jet, Petco offered a year of medical coverage that included puppy vaccines, checkups, and an operation to neuter him for $500 total. This was a great deal for the first year of his life. However, after that, I did not keep consistent insurance which has ended up costing me. It is inevitable that every 18 months or so, Jet is going to require certain vet appointments and tests that are going to cost me over $1,000. Often, by the time I realize there is an issue, it is too late to get insurance because everything is going to be considered a pre-existing condition. I often feel like pet insurance is a scam because of the high cost and long list of conditions that aren’t covered. However, I have been burned enough previously that I now keep current insurance for Jet.
Beyond the emergency vet appointments, you will need to give your dog tick and flea prevention (depending on where you live), get their teeth brushed (if they don’t let you as Jet does), and annual checkups. Vet appointments can often be frustrating because your dog can’t communicate what may be ailing them, so you often have to run expensive tests that don’t yield any helpful results. Cha-Ching!
Below are some estimated medical costs associated with the first year of dog ownership.
| Items | Low-Cost Estimate | High-Cost Estimate |
| First-Year Medical | $300 | $600 |
| Insurance | $600 ($50/mo) | $1,200 ($100/mo) |
| Tick/Flea Prevention | $120 | $170 |
| Annual Checkup | $100 | $250 |
| Miscellaneous Emergency | $200 | $2,500 |
| Subtotal | $1,320 | $4,720 |
Professor Tip: If you have more than one dog, there are often savings by putting them all on the same insurance policy.
Hidden Costs
The above are pretty straightforward costs associated with owning a dog, but the costs that cut the deepest are the hidden costs. I can distill these down to three types.
Hiked Up Rental Costs
Believe it or not, landlords aren’t fans of your dog, especially puppies. A lot of landlords require dogs to fall within certain weight ranges, breeds, and at least a year old. Once you get past that hurdle, most rentals that allow dogs garner a higher monthly cost and many require an additional pet deposit upon move-in. Some pet deposits could be as high as $500.
Say Goodbye to Your Deposit
That annoying deposit required for dogs…you can kiss that goodbye. Even if you have the most polite, well-behaved dog on Earth, landlords are still going to find an excuse to take it. Most dogs will scratch up the floor, ding the walls, pee in the house, or just make the house smell like a dog…even if they are angels. When Jet was a puppy, he ate through two walls (perfectly the size of his head) and destroyed the carpet and backyard. He is a well-behaved dog now, but there was definitely a learning curve.
Boarding
For a generation who loves to live in the moment and travel, you better have some very giving friends or family nearby to watch your dog, or else you are relying on pet hotels for boarding. Boarding can run anywhere from $40-80 depending on the level of care you opt in to. If you’re away for a weeklong trip or travel often for work, this adds up quickly!
Non-Financial Costs
Planning Considerations
As a new member of your family, every future decision needs to be made with your dog in mind. This is most prevalent when traveling but also factors into your social life and housing.
Once a dog owner, you no longer have the freedom to whimsically throw some clean clothes in a bag and head out on a weekend road trip. Planning is now required. Are you taking your dog or not? If not, who is watching her? If you are taking your dog, does the AirBNB or Hotel allow pets, and what is the cost? Also, if anything like Jet, they may have some anxieties in the car which is not enjoyable!
We already touched on the cost of renting with a dog, but also the challenge of finding a dog-friendly place is real. With millennials renting longer before purchasing their first home, you could be looking at increased rents into your 30s. I lost count of how many great rental units I wasn’t even in consideration for because of Jet. Not to mention, if you need roommates, do they like dogs, and are they okay with the ramifications and cost of dog ownership?
Time commitment
Dogs are a big time commitment! Plan to have less free time and likely some emotionally-draining experiences ahead. If you get a puppy, exponentially amplify this sentiment for the first year.
When Jet was a puppy, he whined every night for the first 6 weeks we had him while crate training (much to the detriment of my roommates). Beyond that, he had to be let out throughout the night since puppies can’t hold their bladders that long. Our whole household was exhausted, but we all lit up when we got the joy of playing with Jet and seeing him grow.
Beyond the lack of sleep, I studied how to train Jet as if I was bringing my firstborn home. This studying, commitment to consistent training, and some puppy training classes here and there were a big-time commitment.
Even as a more mature dog, I still need to make sure I get home after work or cut a social outing short so I can get home and take Jet on a walk.
Summarizing the Cost of Dog Ownership
Now that we’ve covered the total cost of dog ownership, both financially and emotionally, let’s summarize the financial costs so you can decide how a dog may fit into your goal to #retire50. Remember, the below is just an estimate for the first year, so plan to have recurring costs throughout your partnership.
| Item | Low-Cost Estimate | High-Cost Estimate |
| Purchase Price | Free | $1,000 |
| Welcome Home Equipment | $160 | $510 |
| Food (First Year) | $600 | $1,080 |
| Medical (First Year) | $300 | $600 |
| Preventive Care | $220 | $420 |
| Insurance | $600 | $1,200 |
| Emergency Care | $200 | $2,500 |
| Rental Housing Deposit | $0 | $500 |
| Total | $2,080 | $7,810 |
Should I Get a Dog?
As I mentioned earlier, dogs are a gift. I get so much joy and support from Jet that all of the above costs and commitments are worth it. Only you can answer this question. However, having read this article, you are more prepared and aware of costs of dog ownership than I was when Jet became part of my family.
One great way to see if you are ready for the dog time commitment is to house sit dogs or work with an adoption kennel to temporarily support their dogs. Think of this as a great test run…and potentially a good opportunity to make a few dollars.
Should you decide to get a dog, enjoy the amazing journey together! If not, find a dog-owning friend who likes to travel so you can enjoy the dog Aunt or Uncle benefits.
If you want to follow Jet (@officer_Jet_K9) and Daisy’s (@the_rat_bat_dog) budding Instagram influencer dreams, give them a follow.
Check out additional topics to make personal finance SLIGHTLY EDUCATIONAL on our Personal Finance page.
