The Surprising Costs of Caring for Our Dogs: A Real-Life Story
Just a few days ago, I finally hit the "Buy Now" button on a new collar for Carolina. It felt like a long time coming! My other dog, Lira, has been rocking her Paco Collars V-Neck since 2021, and honestly, it still looks brand new—truly a quality investment. (Seriously, if you’re looking for the BEST in custom leather collars - go check them out.)
Carolina extremely noise-sensitive, which is ironic because she’s also the loudest dog in our house! And one thing she really doesn’t like is the sound of her tag clanging against her food or water bowls. She squints up her little eyes and backs away from bowl and it absolutely crushes my heart. I tried using plastic and silicone bowls to keep things quiet, but — I much prefer the cleanliness of stainless steel bowls for their water.
Lira’s Paco V-Neck Collar
So, TLDR, I finally decided to get her a V-neck collar like Lira’s. This unique collar design has the tag fitted into the leather of the collar, so they won’t dangle or make noise when she eats or drinks. As I completed my purchase, I couldn’t help but notice... the price of that same collar had increased by 71% since I last bought one just 3 years ago!
It feels like everything is getting more expensive, especially when it comes to caring for our pets. As someone who runs two pet-focused businesses (The Ranch - Dog Boarding & Daycare and CM Bryson Photography), I know firsthand how costs for businesses have risen. But as a dog mom seeing that price hike got me curious, so I did some digging into the numbers.
According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), the average annual cost of owning a dog or cat ranges from $700 to over $1,000.
Honestly? That feels like the minimum for most pet owners, not the maximum.
If you’re like me, you probably have lots of “extras” for your pets too—things like training classes, dog sports, photo sessions, and pet-friendly getaways. Plus, there’s specialized veterinary care: physical therapy, canine massage, laser therapy, and acupuncture. On top of that, many of us invest in crash-tested travel crates, high-quality treats (Lira gets special novel protein treats), multiple leashes, harnesses, and fancy collars (one of my favorite splurges). And let’s not forget the toys and beds... because our pets deserve the best, right?
The advancements in veterinary care in the last 10 years have been mind-blowing, too. From state-of-the-art technology to cutting-edge pharmaceuticals, there are so many new ways to care for our pets. We now have an entire team of experts—a primary care vet, a nutritionist, a cardiologist, and an internal medicine specialist, just to name a few. We’ve also worked with massage therapists, trainers, physical therapists, and laser therapists to keep our dogs in top shape.
According to an NPR article I read, prices for pet products and services have surged 25.8% in the last five years And veterinary services alone have risen even more, rising 38.6%
Do I regret any of the money we’ve spent? Absolutely not. Would I spend twice as much to get even one more year with my dogs? In a heartbeat.
What about you? Have you noticed the rise in pet care costs?
Are there any splurges you’re saving up for or one you recently indulged in?
I’d love to hear your stories!
