How much does it cost to own a dog or cat per year?

Not directly — spay/neuter is usually a one-time (non-recurring) cost, so it isn't included in the monthly/annual fields of this calculator. At private clinics in the US, spay/neuter surgery typically costs between $50 and $500, varying by species, sex, size, and region; many municipalities and nonprofits offer low-cost or free spay/neuter programs.

No. The "veterinary care" field in this calculator only accounts for predictable routine costs, like an annual check-up and vaccines. Emergencies (surgery, hospitalization, accidents, poisoning) are unpredictable and can cost anywhere from a few hundred to several thousand dollars. That's why it's worth keeping a dedicated emergency fund for your pet, on top of the monthly budget.

It can be, especially to soften the blow of expensive emergencies and surgeries. Pet insurance in the US typically costs between $25 and $70 per month, depending on coverage, species, size, and the animal's age. Before signing up, compare what's covered (exams, tests, surgery, hospitalization) and the waiting periods, and consider including that monthly premium in the "extras" field of this calculator.

Bigger dogs eat more food (the cost scales with body weight), usually need larger doses of flea/tick prevention and dewormers, and veterinary exams, anesthesia, and medications are also dosed by weight — which increases the cost of procedures. That's why, in our reference table, a giant dog costs, on average, well over double what a small dog costs.

Not exactly — these are approximate reference values, based on price ranges commonly reported for the US pet market. Food, veterinary, and flea/tick costs vary a lot between regions and between big cities and smaller towns. Use the presets as a starting point and replace them with the real amounts you pay in your area.