Here in the U.S., we love our pets and we are willing to spend a significant amount of money on them. In fact, new research from Rover shows that spending on pets will increase by 7% to 10% this year.
For some perspective, that’s considerably higher than the 2.5% cost-of-living increase that Social Security recipients received this year. Per the survey of 1,000 pet parents across the nation, Rover expects costs to increase 7% for dogs and 10% for cats.
Data from the American Veterinary Medical Association indicates that 45.5% of American households include pet dogs and 32.1% of American households include cats. That data also shows that households spend $580 per year on veterinary services for dogs and $433 on those services for cats.
Sometimes, a single trip to the vet can end up costing hundreds of dollars. Tara Servatius of Audacy’s “The Tara Show” mentioned this week that certain breeds of dogs tend to eat things that can get stuck in their intestines, resulting in emergency vet trips.
“It’s really easy to think: ‘It’s a puppy, the food doesn’t cost very much.’ Well, it’s healthy now and it hasn’t, you know, swallowed half your closet yet and have to have it extracted from its lower intestine and you know stuff like that,” said Servatius, though she added that she lucked out with her own dog that passed away at 17 years old. “So just, you know, worth keeping in mind how much money that costs.”
According to the new Rover survey, the average lifetime care for pets is approximately $35,000 for a 10-year-old dog and $32,000 for a 16-year-old cat. Half of pet parents are concerned that President Donald Trump’s tariff plans might make caring for their pets more expensive, Rover said.
“Pet parents can expect to spend about 11% more for veterinary fees this year, 183% more for pet cleaning supplies, 20% more for grooming supplies and 85% more for treats and chews,” said Rover. “More than a quarter (28%) of pet parents admit they are worried about being able to afford the things their pet needs right now and half (52%) are concerned that tariffs will further increase the cost of having a pet.”
Servatius recommended that prospective owners do their research before bringing home a new furry family member. Even though Rover noted that the cost to bring a pet home this year is actually lower than 2024, those care costs are still expected to be high.
“In 2025, welcoming a new dog into the family can range from $1,150 to $4,420 and a new cat can cost between $750 and $2,715,” per Rover’s data. “With initial vaccines and spay or neutering typically included, adopting from a shelter is the most budget-friendly way to welcome a pet into the family. And, this year, the cost of adoption has dropped 19% for dogs and 16% for cats.”
Last year, 20% of pet parents brought home a new dog or cat. This year even more (33%) are considering adding a new pet to the family in the next twelve months. Early this year, the “Audacy Conversations” program dove into Americans’ relationships with their pets and found that 98% of pet owners view their pets as family members.
“Working with pet parents on a daily basis, two things are clear: people are concerned about the high and rising costs of pet parenthood, and pet parents continue to be unwavering in their commitment to their furry family members,” said Dr. Rebecca Greenstein, Rover Pet People Panelist and Owner of the Kleinburg Veterinary Hospital. “While the lifetime costs of a pet can potentially be overwhelming, the average healthy dog or cat can live for a decade or more, and the love and companionship they provide is priceless.”