Pawprints and Purrs, Inc.
All Critters
Pet Guardian Responsibilities
And Animal Well-Being
A Non-Profit 501(c)(3) Organization
All donations are tax deductible
Copyright © 1997 - 2009
Annual Pet Costs
Before you bring that lovable critter home for good, there are a few things you should consider. Food and collars are only two of a whole litany of costs that the average pet guardian will incur within a year. The following is a list of expected annual costs for your new member of the family.
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 |
$135 |
$25 |
$30 |
$50 |
$200 |
$840 |
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 |
$135 |
$30 |
$50 |
$90 |
$300 |
$1,150 |
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 |
$150 |
$35 |
$80 |
$160 |
$400 |
$1,525 |
Cats: 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 |
$135 |
$25 |
$10 |
$30 |
$700 |
Rabbits: 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: Though many vets do NOT spay/neuter Guinea Pigs, the procedure is highly recommended for the many health benefits of spaying/neutering. The litter costs for these Guinea Pigs are as high as for that of a rabbit. Costs for a Guinea Pig can exceed $745 in the first year.
| Food |
Medical |
Litter |
Toys |
Misc. |
Spay/Neuter |
Litter Box |
Cage |
Total |
| $75 |
$50 |
$400 |
$25 |
$15 |
$85 |
$15 |
$80 |
$745 |
Gerbils and Hamsters: Though many vets do NOT spay/neuter Gerbils and Hamsters, the procedure is highly recommended for the many health benefits of spaying/neutering. Gerbils and Hamsters qualify as small mammals and incur the least in costs for quadrapeds. There are other costs to consider, such as cages and litter, which can bring the tab up to $500 in the first year.
| Food |
Medical |
Litter |
Toys |
Misc. |
Spay/Neuter |
Cage |
Total |
| $50 |
$40 |
$220 |
$10 |
$15 |
$85 |
$35 |
$455 |
Birds: 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 $255 in the first year.
| Food |
Medical |
Toys |
Misc. |
Cage |
Treats |
Total |
| $50 |
$30 |
$30 |
$15 |
$75 |
$35 |
$235 |
Fish: 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 |
Adapted from material and pricing provided from Southern Hills Animal Hospital, Shreveport, Louisiana by Pawprints and Purrs, Inc., Keithville, Louisiana; May, 2007.
Your donation goes to the expenses for our feral cat colony and foster cats and dogs' food, upkeep, and medical care. 100% of all donations go to the animals because there are no salaries or administrative fees. Thank you for your support!
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