The rising costs of your dog’s food may make you wonder if filet mignon and caviar have joined the list of ingredients. You may also wonder why grooming your cat costs more than styling your hair. Part of the reason is that many pet owners spare no expense to give their cats and dogs the best life possible. Our team at Boca Midtowne Animal Hospital takes pride in helping pet owners give their four-legged buddies excellent care no matter what their budgets. We’re happy to discuss the costs of vaccinations, prevention, and treatment with you.

The costs of caring for your pet vary greatly depending on their type, breed, and size, as well as where you live and how much you feel like spoiling your furry companion. In a nationwide study in 2023, the MarketWatch Guides team looked at 11 metrics to determine how much it costs to own a Labrador retriever in the 46 U.S. states for which data were available. The team, which chose this breed because it’s one of the most popular in America, concluded that the average lifelong expense to care for a Lab is $28,800. 

Question: How much does caring for a pet cost in Florida?

Answer: In the MarketWatch study, Florida ranked 29th. Assuming you chose a Labrador retriever, you could expect to spend $27,621 on your pet over the course of their lifetime. This includes average costs of $1,040 to obtain a puppy and $2,416 a year to care for your pet. The study did not look into the costs of adopting and caring for cats or other breeds of dogs, but this can give you a rough idea. 

Q: What are the most and least expensive states for lifetime pet costs?

A: California ranked first with $35,452 in lifetime costs, while Oklahoma ranked 46th of the 46 states surveyed with $24,855 in lifetime costs—a gap of $10,597 between the most and least expensive states. Data were not available for Alaska, Hawaii, North Dakota, or South Dakota.

Q: Which type of pet is more expensive to care for, a cat or a dog?

A: Researchers at Rover, a company that matches pet owners with sitters and dog walkers,

investigated the costs of owning dogs and cats in 2024. They found that it’s more expensive to care for a dog—$1,000 to $5,225 a year, or $80 to $440 a month—compared to $710 to $2,865 a year, or $60 to $240 a month, to care for a cat.

Q: How much have the costs of owning a pet increased over the past year?

A: From 2023 to 2024, annual cat care costs increased $70, while yearly dog care costs rose $100.

Q: What accounts for these rising costs?

A: Soaring costs for nutrition were a major factor. Cat food costs increased up to 100%, while dog food costs rose as much as 80%. Cat owners reported spending 63% more for their pets’ food, 49% more for treats and toys, and 43% more for veterinary care. Dog owners said they were paying 63% more for pet food, 48% more for treats and toys, and 47% more for vet visits. 

Q: Can you break down the costs of dog care essentials?

A: Rover provided these averages for things every puppy or dog needs:

  • Adoption fees — $0 to $600
  • Spaying or neutering — $250 to $525
  • Microchip plus ID tags — $20 to $95
  • Pet license — $20 to $125 
  • First vet exam and vaccinations — $165 to $515
  • Collar — $5 to $60
  • Harness — $5 to $80
  • Leash — $10 to $75
  • Food and water bowls — $5 to $80
  • Poop bags and holder — $10 to $90
  • Crate — $25 to $475
  • Bed — $10 to $470
  • Brush and nail trimmer — $15 to $125
  • Potty pads — $5 to $70

Q: How about a cost breakdown for cats’ and kittens’ must-haves?

A: These are Rover’s estimates for feline essentials:

  • Adoption fees — $0 to $185
  • Spaying or neutering — $165 to $250
  • Microchip — $20 to $95
  • First vet exam and vaccinations — $200 to $390
  • Collar — $5 to $30
  • Bed — $15 to $250
  • Food and water bowls — $5 to $90
  • Litter box — $10 to $550
  • Litter — $10 to $90
  • Pet license — $15 to $95
  • Carrier — $20 to $160
  • Scratching post — $20 to $300
  • Brush — $5 to $50
  • Claw trimmers — $5 to $40
  • Toys — $0 to $80

Adoption is the way to go if you want to avoid pet purchase inflation. Breeders’ prices for purebred cats can go as high as $125,000 for an Ashera cat, a rare hybrid whose family tree includes the African serval, Asian leopard cat, and domestic house cat. The priciest pooch is the Tibetan mastiff, which typically costs $10,000 or more. The most expensive member of this breed so far sold for $1.9 million in 2014.

Whether your pet comes to you as a refugee from the mean streets or a privileged purebred, they’re precious and deserve a lifetime of excellent care. Contact Boca Midtowne Animal Hospital to make an appointment. We’re accredited by the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) and Fear Free Certified, so you know your dog or cat will be in good hands.