How much does a puppy cost?
How much does a puppy cost?
$150 – $600 average cost to adopt a puppy
$500 – $2,500+ average cost to buy a puppy
$120 – $350 average monthly puppy care costs
Average puppy cost
There's nothing quite like the playfulness, energy, and unconditional love of a new puppy. However, bringing a puppy into your home and life requires planning and preparation. Budgeting for your new pup is an important step, and people often underestimate the cost of caring for their new furry family member.
Puppies cost $150 to $600 if you adopt or $500 to $2,500+ if you purchase a purebred pup. The average cost of owning a puppy is $120 to $350 per month, depending on the breed and size, your location, the food and supplies you choose, and the professional services you use.
| Expense | Average cost |
|---|---|
| Puppy purchase price or adoption fee | $500 – $2,500 (purchase price) or $150 – $600 (adoption fee) |
| Vaccinations | $75 – $400+ (first year) $35 – $365+ (each year afterward) |
| Spay / neuter surgery | $250 – $650 (spay) $200 – $500 (neuter) |
| Flea, tick, & heartworm prevention | $50 – $150 (first year) $120 – $400 (each year afterward) |
| Routine vet visits | $40 – $80 each |
| Food | $25 – $120 per month |
| Treats | $10 – $30 per month |
| Toys | $25 – $100 per year |
| Grooming supplies | $30 – $80 per year |
| Poop bags & dispenser | $30 – $85 per year |
| Dog license | $15 – $30 per year |
| Food & water bowls | $10 – $80 |
| Collar & leash | $20 – $120 |
| Dog bed | $20 – $250 |
| Crate | $100 – $280 |
| Microchip | $20 – $60 |
| End of life care | $150 – $700 |
Puppy price or adoption fee
Puppy prices vary significantly depending on the breed and whether you purchase a purebred pup directly from a breeder or adopt a puppy from a shelter or rescue group.
Purebred puppies cost $500 to $2,500 on average, depending on the breed. Highly sought-after breeds or puppies with a desirable pedigree and competition-winning parents often sell for $3,500+.
The average cost to adopt a puppy is $150 to $600, depending on your location. The adoption fee typically includes the initial vaccinations. Some shelters and rescue groups also include microchipping and spaying or neutering in the fee.
Don't buy a puppy from a pet store unless the store specifically sources their puppies from local animal shelters. Many pet stores sell puppies from puppy mills even though they claim not to. Also, beware of puppy mill owners who pose as reputable breeders.
Vaccination cost
Puppy vaccinations cost $75 to $400+ in the first year. All puppies need a set of core vaccines to protect them from life-threatening diseases and viruses like rabies, canine distemper, parvovirus, infectious hepatitis, and parainfluenza. Several of these vaccines are delivered in a DHPP combo vaccine.
Your puppy may also need additional vaccines for Bordetella, Leptospirosis, Lyme disease, and rattlesnake venom, depending on their activities and lifestyle.
Spay or neuter surgery
Spaying or neutering your puppy is critical once they reach the appropriate age—typically between 9 months and one year old. Spaying and neutering reduce the risk of cancers and other health conditions, curb unwanted behaviors related to the heat cycle, and can increase your dog's lifespan by 13% to 26%.
The cost to spay a female dog is $250 to $650, while the cost to neuter a male dog is $200 to $500. Some non-profit organizations offer low-cost spaying and neutering clinics with prices ranging from $40 to $300.
Flea, tick, & heartworm prevention
Preventative treatments for fleas, ticks, and heartworms cost $50 to $150 in the first year and $120 to $400 per year afterward. The larger/heavier the dog, the more expensive the preventative treatments are. The treatments come in both oral and topical forms, so the final price will depend on your dog's size and your chosen application method.
Basic vet care
All puppies need several routine checkups in their first year. A standard vet visit costs $40 to $80 on average and typically includes a physical exam and basic wellness check. An emergency vet visit costs $100 to $800+, depending on the reason for the visit and the tests and treatments needed.
Consider purchasing pet insurance to minimize your out-of-pocket veterinary costs. Pet insurance costs $35 to $75 per month but can save you thousands if your pup needs surgery or emergency vet care.
Food & treats
The average cost for puppy food ranges from $25 to $120 per month, depending on the brand and type of food you feed your pup. Kibble typically costs the least, while wet food is slightly more expensive. Feeding your pup a raw food diet will cost you about $100 to $200+ per month in the first year.
Treats cost $10 to $30 per month, depending on the type, and are useful as a reward while training your new puppy.
Consult your veterinarian for guidance on appropriate portions and nutritional needs for your growing puppy
Supplies & toys
Before you bring your new puppy home, make sure you have these important items on hand. The total cost for these supplies ranges from $180 to $760.
Food and water bowls
Collar and leash
ID tags
Dog bed
Dog crate or carrier
Poop bags and dispenser
Potty training pads
Enzymatic cleaning products
Toys add another $25 to $100+ to your upfront costs but help to keep your puppy active, stimulated, and entertained. Plan to spend about the same amount each year for new toys as your dog gets older.
Grooming
Professional puppy grooming costs $40 to $75+ per visit. Some breeds require minimal grooming while others need frequent visits, so keep this in mind when selecting your puppy.
Your pup will likely need baths and grooming at home between visits to the groomer. The cost of grooming supplies like brushes, combs, and shampoo ranges from $30 to $80 per year.
Additional puppy costs
In addition to the necessities, you may also want to take advantage of other professional pet services like training or doggy daycare, which come with extra costs:
| Service | Average cost |
|---|---|
| Puppy training cost | $30 – $80 per class (group training) $45 – $120 per hour (private training) |
| Dog walking cost | $10 – $35 per walk |
| Doggy daycare cost | $20 – $25 per half day $30 – $50 per full day |
| Dog boarding cost | $25 – $85 per night |
| Pet sitting cost | $10 – $35 per visit $30 – $100 per day |
What affects how much puppies cost?
The following factors impact the purchase or adoption price of a new puppy and the lifetime costs of owning a dog:
Puppy breed: Purebred puppies cost much more than mixed-breed pups. Some breeds are also more prone to health issues, resulting in higher lifetime vet bills.
Size: Larger pups eat more food and require higher doses of preventative treatments for fleas, ticks, and heartworms, resulting in higher first-year and lifetime costs.
Additional costs: Optional services like pet insurance and puppy training add to your costs but can save you money in the long run. A well-trained pup is less likely to destroy your furniture, bedding, shoes, and other items around your house.
Your lifestyle: Your costs will also depend on how many everyday tasks you handle yourself instead of paying a professional to walk, groom, or care for your puppy during the workday. Professional pet services provide convenience but come at a cost.
Your home: If you live in a rental apartment or house, your landlord may require you to pay a pet deposit of $200 to $500 before you bring your new puppy home. Some landlords tack on an additional $10 to $50 per month for "pet rent" instead of a deposit.
Unexpected costs: You may find yourself paying for home repairs if your new puppy ruins carpeting, walls, or doors.
Create a pet emergency fund to cover unexpected costs like stomach surgery if your puppy ingests something they shouldn't, x-rays to diagnose injuries, or surgery to repair a torn ACL/CCL.
Should I get a puppy?
Whether or not you should get a puppy depends on your lifestyle, budget, and home environment. Puppies require a significant investment in time, money, and love. A new puppy will be a bundle of energy and will require frequent activity and enrichment to keep them occupied so they don't become destructive.
Ask yourself these questions before buying or adopting a puppy:
How will a puppy fit into your current lifestyle?
How much time can you devote to a puppy each day?
Can you afford the ongoing and lifetime costs of owning a dog?
Can you afford the extra cost if your pup needs medical treatment or emergency surgery?
Which puppy breed is best suited for your lifestyle?
How important is having a perfectly clean house to you?
How will you train your new puppy?
How often do you travel, and who will care for the puppy while you're away?
It's also important to think beyond the first year when your puppy grows from a cute bundle of fur into an adult dog. You'll need to devote time every day to caring for your dog over its lifetime, which can range from 8 to 15+ years depending on the breed.
What type of puppy should I get?
Choose a puppy that is suited for your current and future lifestyle, not just based on whether the breed is trendy right now or how it looks. Keep these details in mind during your search for the perfect pup:
Puppies typically require more frequent care than adult dogs, and they come with extra upfront costs for first-year vaccinations and spaying or neutering.
High-energy breeds require much more physical activity and mental stimulation, while other breeds are more relaxed.
If you live in an apartment or your home is part of a Homeowners' Association (HOA), there may be restrictions on the breeds allowed.
Large breed dogs not only take up more space but require more food, higher-dose preventative meds that cost more, and a larger bed and crate.
Using our proprietary cost database, in-depth research, and collaboration with industry experts, we deliver accurate, up-to-date pricing and insights you can trust, every time.