Total cost of ownership calculator
Six inputs. Recalculates instantly, no sign-up, nothing stored. Every default comes from the sourced dataset — see how.
Your dog
Food tier
Grooming at a salon
Pet insurance
Your estimate $2,614
Estimate for your dog
Typical per year
$2,614
$1,546 – $2,738 depending on choices
First year
$3,567
Lifetime (12.7 yrs)
$34,955
Source · 7 sources · Updated 2026-09-21estimate
SOURCE · PetSmart.com regular (non-promotional) list prices — hand-recorded SKU sample — PetSmart (recorded by pawdget), 2026 data, accessed 2026-09-21
SOURCE · Nutritional Requirements of Small Animals (RER = 70 × kg^0.75, MER factors) — Merck Veterinary Manual, 2024 data, accessed 2026-09-21
SOURCE · Veterinary Exam and Procedure Costs (ASQ360° research, 50 states + DC) — CareCredit / Synchrony, 2025 data, accessed 2026-09-21
SOURCE · pawdget methodology — our own schedules, rubrics and formulas — pawdget.com, 2026 data, accessed 2026-09-21
SOURCE · Regional Price Parities by State, 2024 (table SARPP) — U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, 2024 data, accessed 2026-09-21
SOURCE · State of the Industry Report 2026 — highlights (2025 data) — North American Pet Health Insurance Association, 2025 data, accessed 2026-09-21
SOURCE · National Pet Owners Survey 2025 — dog spending (press release) — American Pet Products Association, 2025 data, accessed 2026-09-21
METHOD · estimated by formula · View methodology
Where the money goes
| Category | per year | Share | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Food & treats929 kcal/day × $1.42 per 1,000 kcal + 30% treats | $625 | 24% | PetSmart · est. |
| Vet & preventive1 exam, core vaccines, heartworm test, dental every 3 yrs, 12 months of parasite prevention | $782 | 30% | CareCredit / Synchrony · est. |
| InsuranceAccident & illness plan, US average, adjusted for state | $812 | 31% | North American Pet Health Insurance Association · est. |
| GroomingHome grooming: brush, clippers, shampoo | $24 | 1% | PetSmart · est. |
| Supplies & gearReplacement toys, waste bags, treats | $58 | 2% | PetSmart · est. |
| Training & boardingUS average yearly boarding spend, adjusted for state | $313 | 12% | American Pet Products Association · est. |
First-month shopping list
- CrateTop Paw · 42″L x 30″H, Large$65
- BedTop Paw · Medium$15
- Bowls ×2Top Paw · 12 fl oz$3
- LeashPetSafe · 3/8 in$5
- CollarKONG · Large$25
- HarnessPetSafe · Small$21
- BrushTop Paw$9
- Nail ClipperTop Paw · Large$8
- Pee PadsGreat Choice · 23″ x 24″$10
- Total$160
Source · PetSmart (recorded by pawdget) · Updated 2026-09-21
SOURCE · PetSmart.com regular (non-promotional) list prices — hand-recorded SKU sample — PetSmart (recorded by pawdget), 2026 data, accessed 2026-09-21
METHOD · measured
First-month gear on Amazon · partner link
The first-month list is shown for a medium dog; open a breed page for a size-specific list. Lifetime uses the breed's median lifespan, or the US size-group life expectancy when no breed is chosen.