How Much Does a Puppy Cost in the First Year? Item by Item
Short answer. The ASPCA's 2021 table puts a dog's first year at $3,221, then $1,391 a year. In the UK, PDSA's 2024 figures are £415 to £560 to get started, depending on size, plus £69 to £116 a month. Neither includes buying the puppy, or vet bills for illness or injury. Not veterinary advice.
On this page (4 sections)
ASPCA (US), item by item
One-time costs in the ASPCA's 2021 update:
| Item | Dog |
|---|---|
| Spay or neuter | $300 |
| First vaccines and medical | $300 |
| Collar, lead, harness | $60 |
| Carrier | $50 |
| Crate | $60 |
| Training | $200 |
| Microchip | $20 |
| Grooming tools | $40 |
| One-time total | $1,030 |
Yearly costs:
| Item | Dog, per year |
|---|---|
| Food | $300 |
| Routine vet care | $225 |
| Flea, tick and heartworm prevention | $185 |
| Toys | $37 |
| Treats | $60 |
| Health insurance | $516 |
| Licence | $15 |
| Grooming supplies | $28 |
| Kennel or boarding (one day) | $25 |
| Yearly total | $1,391 |
The ASPCA's first-year total of $3,221 also includes professional grooming ($300) and dental care ($500). Source: ASPCA, Cutting pet care costs (2021 update).
PDSA (UK)
| PDSA, 2024 prices | Small | Medium | Large |
|---|---|---|---|
| Getting started | £415 | £531 | £560 |
| Every month | £69 | £83 | £116 |
| Lifetime, at least | £6,200 to £12,000 | £9,000 to £14,000 | £8,200 to £18,800 |
PDSA's start-up figure covers a bed, lead, collar and tag, bowls, toothbrush and toothpaste, a grooming brush, toys, a car restraint, first vaccinations, monthly wormers to six months, and neutering; it excludes microchipping. The monthly figure covers yearly health checks and boosters, flea and worm treatment, insurance, food, toys, poo bags and toothpaste. Source: PDSA, The cost of owning a dog (2024 prices).
What these figures leave out
PDSA leaves out the purchase price, vet fees for illness or injury, special diets, day care and boarding, grooming and training classes. Both are minimums. Sources: PDSA, The cost of owning a dog (2024 prices); ASPCA, Cutting pet care costs (2021 update). For costs by breed and by country: pet cost calculator and dog cost per year by country.
Sources
- ASPCA, Cutting pet care costs (2021 update), read 7 November 2026.
- PDSA, The cost of owning a dog (2024 prices), read 7 November 2026.
Sources last checked 7 November 2026. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.
Related pages
New puppy checklist, the first 30 days, annual cost of owning a dog and pet insurance guide.