Get App
KEY POINTS
- It can cost over $3000 per year on average to care for a dog, with many Australian households having more than one canine companion.
- On top of the cost of buying a puppy, you’ll likely spend more than half of your pet budget on food alone.
- Pet insurance costs can vary greatly depending on factors like your dog’s breed, age, and preexisting medical conditions.
How much does it cost to own a dog??
According to Animal Medicines Australia’s ‘Pets in Australia: a national survey of pets and people’ report, dogs can be found in almost half (48%) of all Australian households. That’s an estimated 6.4 million pet dogs nationwide.
It’s clear we’re a country of animal lovers; we know our furry friends can provide the kind of love and companionship money simply can’t buy. But for those keeping tabs on their finances, the actual cost of owning a dog can really blow out the household budget.
The same report claimed a dog could cost an Australian household around $3218 per year on average, with just over half of this money being spent on food alone. The report also revealed that the average Australian household has 1.3 dogs at home, with over 20% of the population owning two dogs or more, resulting in an annual cost per household of around $4247.
What’s the annual cost of owning a dog?
The Animal Medicines Australia report breaks down the annual expenses of dog ownership as follows:
← Mobile/tablet users, scroll sideways to view full table →
| Average annual household spend, 2022 ($) | Dogs |
|---|---|
| Food | $2024 |
| Veterinary services | $631 |
| Products or accessories | $349 |
| Pet healthcare products | $343 |
| Clipping/grooming | $196 |
| Pet insurance | $152 |
| Training/behaviour/therapy | $166 |
| Boarding/minding | $104 |
| Competitions/memberships | $71 |
| Walking | $96 |
| Transport | $70 |
| Alternative healthcare treatments | $65 |
| Anything else | $2 |
| Total per household | $4247 |
| Total cost per animal | $3218 |
How much does a puppy cost?
Bringing a new puppy into your life can be incredibly rewarding, but it also comes with upfront costs—especially in the first year. The price of a puppy varies widely depending on where you get them. Adopting from a shelter or rescue typically costs between $200 and $600 and often includes initial vaccinations, microchipping, and desexing.
In contrast, buying a purebred puppy from a registered breeder can range anywhere from $2000 to over $5000, depending on the breed and pedigree. According to Canstar research, purebred puppies of certain popular breeds such as Golden Retrievers and German Shepherds can sometimes sell for as much as $7000 from registered breeders.
Beyond the upfront cost, the first year of dog ownership comes with a range of essential expenses. These may include vaccinations ($200–$300), desexing (if not already done, $200–$500), microchipping (around $60), and council registration (typically $50–$150 annually, depending on location). You’ll also need to factor in training classes (around $150–$300 for a basic course), pet insurance (which can cost $30–$100 per month depending on coverage), and basics like food, bedding, toys, leads, and bowls (which can easily add up to $1,000 or more over the year).
Altogether, first-year costs can range from $2,000 to $6,000 or more—so it’s worth planning ahead to ensure you’re financially prepared for your new furry family member.
How much is pet insurance for dogs?
In 2022, Australians spent around $1.1 billion on pet insurance for their dogs and cats, with 70% of this attributable to insurance for dogs.
Around 17% of dog owners are paying for pet insurance, with average annual premiums of $776 per dog, resulting in an average cost per household of $916. However, Canstar Research found that the annual cost of accident, illness and routine care cover for a large dog could be as high as $1460.
Canstar also found that the cost of pet insurance can vary based on the breed of animal you are seeking to insure. For instance, they found that a Cavoodle might cost $1152 to insure annually on an accident, illness and routine care policy, whereas a French Bulldog could cost an average of $2748.
The cost of pet insurance can greatly vary based on a wide range of different factors, such as:
- Your pet’s age, gender, breed (for dogs) and whether they have been desexed
- Where you live
- The annual limit and benefit percentage you choose for your policy
- Your policy’s excess amount
- How many pets you include on the same policy
- Any optional extras, such as dental care, you have included in your policy
- Any pre-existing medical conditions your pet may have.
Pet insurance is not mandatory. Though it can provide support if your dog needs medical treatments or medicine from the vet, some pet owners prefer to put money aside in a savings account in case of emergency instead.
As you would for any health insurance policy you take out for yourself, compare policies and gather some quotes before signing on the dotted line. This will help you get a better idea whether or not insuring your dog is the right move for your household.
Cover image source: Rawpixel/istockphoto.com
