Inside Story

According to the latest “True Cost of Pet Parenthood Report” for dogs and cats by Rover, dog parents can expect costs to increase as much as 7% this year, and cat parents could see a 10% increase. This is the sixth report by the online marketplace for pet care.

As USA Today reports, the average annual cost of a dog for 2025, according to Rover’s data, research, insights from real pet parents and experts, is an estimated $1,390 to $5,295. Factors such as a dog’s age, size, breed and medical needs play a significant role in determining what owners will spend, Rover said. A puppy, for instance, may cost $1,520 to $6,415.

Rover said the average annual cost of a kitten is $830 to $3,095, a 10% increase from last year. An adult cat can cost $760 to $3,495 a year until they become a senior.

When you add up lifetime costs for dogs and cats, it can be jaw-dropping: According to the Rover report, the average lifetime cost for care of a 10-year-old dog is $34,550, and it’s $32,170 for a 16-year-old cat. The average healthy dog has a lifespan of 10 to 13 years, Rover said, and a cat can average 12 to 18 years, though some can live for 20.

Pet owners are worried about tariffs, other costs, too

Tariffs or proposed tariffs levied by the U.S. on goods from other countries will affect pet products and pricing, too. More than half, or 52%, of 1,000 pet parents surveyed are concerned that tariffs will further increase the cost of having a pet.

With inflation and newly enacted or proposed tariffs, Rover estimates the prices of pet goods and services will continue to rise in 2025. That includes spending 11% more for veterinary fees, 183% more for pet cleaning supplies, 20% more for grooming supplies and 85% more for treats and chews.

Pet parents are also worried about the economy: 48% are concerned about the rising cost of pet care over their pet’s lifetime, and 31% of pet parents agree the cost of pet items seems to be increasing more than other household or personal care items.

Pets are already taking a big bite out of owners’ budgets: 69% of respondents said pet food and treats take up the majority of their monthly pet budget. One in 3, or 33%, of pet parents said they have reduced spending in other areas of their life, like groceries or entertainment, to make sure they could afford the things their pet needs. More than a third, or 34%, said pet spending would be one of the last categories they would cut if their monthly budget were tight.

But while the costs of having a pet have gone up, the cost of bringing one home is lower than in 2024, probably a result of waning adoption rates, Rover’s report said.

In 2025, adopting a dog can cost $1,150 to $4,420, down 19% from a year ago, while a new cat can cost $750 to $2,715, which is a 16% drop. With initial vaccines and spay or neutering typically included, adopting from a shelter is the most budget-friendly way to bring a pet into the family, Rover said.

Pet industry, pet ownership are very different from a few decades ago

The pet industry is booming. Pets, especially dogs and cats, aren’t just companions. They’re family members. They get spoiled year-round and especially during the holidays. Consumers spent $150.6 billion in 2024 on their pets, according to the American Pet Products Association. By comparison, in 2018, consumers spent $91 billion on their animals. In its 2024 State of the Industry report, the trade organization said the outlook for the pet industry’s growth could reach $207 billion by 2030.

Pet ownership has also changed a lot in recent decades, Nicole Ellis, a certified professional dog trainer and pet lifestyle expert with Rover, told USA Today. “We’ve seen a massive change in the role of pets, both dogs and cats,” Ellis said. They used to be considered simply a pet. “More and more now over the years, they’re becoming actual family members, just like our children in a household. And with that we are spending more money, we’re taking better care of them, and we’re more invested in their health, their lifestyle and their care, which goes hand in hand with the rising cost of pet parenthood that we are seeing nowadays.”

Remember your dog or cat in your will

Ellis said it’s not a pleasant thing to think about, but pet parents need to make plans for their dogs and cats in case the owners die. Twenty-one percent of pet parents say their dog or cat is included in their will or other legal arrangements to make sure they’re cared for, according to the Rover survey. Another 40% are planning to do so.

Forty-four percent of pet parents wished there were more tax benefits for pet parents, such as write-offs and tax credits. Ellis said it is also a good idea to set aside money for unplanned veterinary visits and emergencies. She said she’s a fan of pet insurance. A third, or 33% of pet parents surveyed said they also thought pet insurance was a good cost-saving investment.

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Photo Credit: Lilia Ognianova Simova / Shutterstock.com