By Can I Afford It · How we calculate this
The price of getting a pet is usually the smallest part of what it costs. Food, care and vet visits are ongoing, and it is worth setting something aside for the vet bill nobody plans for.
Up-front costs here run from about $350 (one week of dog boarding) to $3,000 (vet surgery). Recurring costs run from about $40 a month (backyard chickens) to $400 a month (horse).
Typical national prices, not quotes. Financed payments are principal and interest at each item's usual down payment, rate and term, before tax, fees and insurance. 5 of these have a full calculator; any of them can be checked against your income.
| Item | Typical cost | Per month | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Backyard chickens | $40/mo | $40/mo | Check it |
| Cat | $45/mo | $45/mo | Calculator |
| Dog | $100/mo | $100/mo | Calculator |
| Doggy daycare | $400/mo | $400/mo | Check it |
| Fish tank | $800 | One-time | Check it |
| Horse | $400/mo | $400/mo | Calculator |
| One week of dog boarding | $350 | One-time | Check it |
| Parrot | $60/mo | $60/mo | Calculator |
| Pet grooming service | $85/mo | $85/mo | Check it |
| Reptile terrarium and equipment | $450 | One-time | Check it |
| Vet surgery | $3,000 | One-time | Calculator |
| Veterinary dental cleaning | $500 | One-time | Check it |