Pet cost guides
Plain answers to the money questions people ask before getting a pet, using the same sourced 2026 US prices as the rest of the site.
Comparing pets
The cheapest pets to own
Every pet ranked by what a typical year costs once you're set up, from insects to dogs.
What every pet costs
All 181 pets side by side: price, setup, first year, yearly and lifetime cost.
Pet cost calculator
Change food, setup, insurance and where you live to get your own numbers for any pet.
Dogs
How much does a dog cost?
A typical US dog costs about $2,580 a year and $32,000 over its life. See first-year costs, how size changes the bill, and the cheapest and priciest breeds.
First-year puppy costs: a checklist with prices
A breeder puppy costs $4,100 to $10,500 in year one, an adopted dog far less. A checklist of every first-year dog cost with typical 2026 US prices.
Is pet insurance worth it for a dog?
Pet insurance costs more than it pays back on average, but it caps a $5,000 bill. Insured vs uninsured costs for 7 breeds, and when a policy makes sense.
Adopt vs buy a dog: what each really costs
Adopting saves a median $2,950 in year one vs buying the same breed from a breeder. What adoption fees include, and breeder red flags that cost you later.
How to save money on a dog
Budget food saves about $700 a year on a 68 lb Lab, DIY grooming saves $608 on a doodle. Nine sourced ways to cut your dog's yearly bill, with dollar figures.
The cheapest dog breeds
Breeds ranked by yearly cost, with small and large lists and low-maintenance coats.
By kind of pet
Each group compares every pet in it, with a full cost page for each one.
DogsCatsSmall petsBirdsReptiles and amphibiansFishInsects & more