Cost of Pet Care

For those of us who’ve owned pets for years, we know that there are huge lifestyle and psychological benefits to having a pet. But there are also costs that we need to plan for, both now and in the future.

At Pets Plus Us, we believe that responsible pet ownership begins with understanding the true costs of caring for your pet. Preventive and responsive veterinary care are recommended to help your pet live a longer, happier and healthier life.

That’s one of the reasons we’ve partnered with the Ontario Veterinary Medical Association (OVMA) to sponsor the CVMA Cost of Care Study. We want to be proactive in helping Canadian pet owners and our members to gain a better understanding of how to budget for their family pet.

The latest report gives us an approximate idea of the annual expenses you can expect for a dog and cat, as well as the cost of owning a puppy and kitten in their first year of life. Some expenses can vary greatly based on breed, such as food and grooming so we encourage you to research your desired breed for a better understanding of the unique costs associated with their care.

These prices are based on the 2023 Canadian Veterinary Medical Association Cost of Care survey and represents the national average.

Annual Cost for Caring for a Puppy:

Dog cost of pet care

Download a printable version here.

 

Annual Cost of Caring for a Kitten:

Cat cost of pet care

Download a printable version here.

Some things to consider:

  • The report includes the yearly costs of pet insurance based on a plan like Pets Plus Us. Deductibles and co-insurance will vary according to plans.
  • No financial allowances have been made for professional grooming, due to the variances in grooming requirements. If a dog needs to be groomed outside the home, it can cost anywhere from $50 to $200 per visit, depending on the frequency of grooming, breed, condition of the pet and cut requested.
  • While the budgets shown are based on a premium diet, there are less expensive foods available. However, a premium diet can save pet owners in the long run, as it can help to prevent or manage various health problems.
  • Many of the procedures listed can result in future financial benefits.
  • The municipal licensing fees shown here are based on altered dogs and cats. For pets that haven’t been spayed or neutered, licensing fees can be double or more than for those pets that have been altered.