Pet owners face rising veterinarian costs
With the ever-growing costs of veterinarians, pet owners are feeling a sluggish.
Sarah Amato didn’t think she would have a dog, but after doing it once she got it all in.
Amato adopted Fin, a mix of Australian cow dogs, now 3 years old, from pet rescue during the eight-week period in 2022.
The cost of caring for fins, which is severely allergic and requires extensive training, can help you get along with other dogs and stay calm and not biting around people, but it’s not cheap.
The 37-year-old web designer who lives in Union City, New Jersey estimates he spends $722 a month on Finn’s basics, including specialized food, insurance, training and grooming. The total is $8,664 per year.
But on top of that, she spent another $8,804 on one-off costs, including training when Finn was a puppy, unexpected medical costs, and allergy tests. He is allergic to many things, including human skin and trees, and he is taking immunotherapy and special foods because his digestive system has not been able to withstand other foods she has tried, Amato said.
Lifelong Dogs and Cats Ownership Costs Drop the Jersey
Fins and other pets cost a lot, and they’re getting higher.
According to the latest “True Costs for Pet Parents and Children” by Rover, dog parents expect costs to increase by 7% this year, while cat parents can increase by 10%. This is the sixth report by the online marketplace for pet care.
According to Rover’s data, research and insights from real pet parents and experts, the average annual cost of a dog in 2025 is estimated at $1,390 to $5,295. Factors such as dog age, size, breed and medical needs play a key role in determining what owners use, Rover said. For example, a puppy can cost between $1,520 and $6,415.
Rover said the average annual cost for kittens is between $830 and $3,095, an increase of 10% from last year. Adult cats cost between $760 and $3,495 a year until they get older.
Adding the lifetime costs of dogs and cats can help you drop your jaws. According to the Rover Report, the average lifetime cost of care for a 10-year-old dog is $34,550, and for a 16-year-old cat, it is $32,170. The average healthy dog has a lifespan of 10 to 13 years, said Rover, and while cats average between 12 and 18 years, some can live at age 20.
Pet owners are also concerned about customs duties and other costs.
Customs duties or proposed duties collected by the US on goods from other countries also affect pet products and pricing. Half of the parents of the 1,000 pets surveyed, or more than 52%, are concerned that tariffs will further increase the cost of keeping pets.
With inflation and newly enacted or proposed tariffs, Rover estimates that prices for pet goods and services will continue to rise in 2025. This includes 11% increase in veterinary fees, 183% increase in pet cleaning supplies, 20% increase in material hair stinging, and over 85% of treats and chews.
Pet parents are also worried about the economy. 48% are concerned about rising costs of pet care over their lifelong pets, and agree that 31% of pet parents appear to be on the rise over other homes and personal care items.
The pets are already taking a big sip from the owner’s budget. 69% of respondents said pet food and snacks make up a large part of their monthly pet budget. One in three pet parents, or 33%, said they have reduced spending in other areas, such as groceries and entertainment, to ensure their pets can afford to need it. A third, or more than 34%, said pet spending will be one of the last categories to cut when monthly budgets are tight.
But while the costs of keeping a pet are rising, the cost of bringing one into the house is lower than in 2024, perhaps a result of a decline in adoption rates, the Rover report states.
In 2025, dog adoption costs between $1,150 and $4,420, a 19% drop from a year ago, while new cats cost between $750 and $2,715. Adopting from a shelter is the most budget-friendly way to bring your pet to your family, as early vaccines and castration or castration are usually included, Rover said.
Pet industry, pet ownership is very different from decades ago
The pet industry is booming. Pets, especially dogs and cats, are more than just friends. They are family. They are spoiled all year round, especially during holidays.
According to the American Pet Products Association, consumers spent $150.6 billion on pets in 2024. In comparison, in 2018, consumers spent $91 billion on animals. In a 2024 industry report, the trade agency said the outlook for growth for the pet industry could reach $207 billion by 2030.
Pet ownership has also changed dramatically over the past few decades, Nicole Ellis, a certified professional dog trainer and Rover’s pet lifestyle expert, told USA Today.
“We’ve seen a huge change in the role of both dogs and cats,” Ellis said. They were once considered simply pets. “Over the years, they are becoming real families just like the kids in their homes. And we are spending more money and we are investing more in their health, lifestyle and their care.
Remember your dog or cat at your own will
Ellis said it’s not fun to think about, but pet parents should make plans for their dogs and cats if their owner dies. According to the Rover Survey, 21% of pet parents say dogs and cats are included in their will and other legal arrangements. Another 40% plan to do so.
44% of pet parents wanted more tax benefits for pet parents, including amortization and tax credits.
Ellis said taking money for an unplanned veterinarian visit or emergency situation is also a good idea. She said she is a pet insurance fan. One third or 33% of pet parents surveyed said they consider pet insurance a good cost-saving investment.
“He looks like my child.”
Amato knows she’s ruining her dog, but admits that most of her expenses are due to medical and training essentials. Still, she went to the grocery store the other day and bought Finn a steak. Finn likes to sit with Amato, who works from home. On a child sofa in a ceramic barn personalized in his name.
And recently, Amato took Finn to a shepherd test on a farm in Pennsylvania. For $135, Finn was evaluated by a trainer who saw him burn some energy using his natural herd instincts. Amato is considering extra dog training classes on the farm.
“There’s definitely something I did that completely ruined this dog,” she told USA Today. “He looks like my child.”
Single Amato said she was lucky to have a job where she could afford to look after Finn on a budget.
“It’s not like I have to give him anything, so I have to take something away from me,” she said. “I have the money and I’m happy with it.”
She also knows she spends more on Rover Report than the average dog owner. However, she didn’t know that Finn had so many medical concerns when he adopted him. The cost is much higher than she had previously expected, but Amato said she never regretted her decision.
“He is my companion and I will spend everything I have to do to make sure he is a happy, healthy and fulfilling dog,” Amato said.
For Amato’s $722/month monthly breakdown or Finn’s basic care, $8,664 per year is $292/month specialty foods, $55 for pet insurance, $280 for four-day dog training school sessions and $95 for grooming. Add in addition to veterinary expenses, such as the $3,760 surgery and the $4,000 Amato that Finn originally spent on training when he was a puppy.
Amato admits that he has a dog who does not have severe allergies, for example, and is jealous of friends who can eat cheap kibble dishes and don’t need professional training or other expensive needs.
“But I got Finn and he’s the best.”
Betty Lin-Fisher is a consumer reporter for USA Today. Contact her at blinfisher @usatoday.com or follow her on X, Facebook, or Instagram @Blinfisher and @Blinfisher.bsky.social. Sign up for our free daily money newsletter. This includes Friday’s Consumer News.
