Pet Owner Financial Analysis
Spending & Financial Distress for Pet Owners
Owning a pet is a decision of the heart, but its care increasingly weighs on the wallet. Explore the numbers behind the economic pressure facing pet owners today.
Rising costs over the past 5 years 1
General Pet Services
42%up
Pet Services like:
- Grooming & Bathing
- Professional Dog Walking
- Pet Sitting & Boarding (Kennels)
- Pet Training (Obedience, Behavioral)
- and more...
Pet Medical Expenses
30%up
doubling inflation
Private equity buying out veterinarian clinics
This upward trend translates directly to the annual cost of ownership, which is the biggest drive of pets being abandoned.
Costs: Cats vs. Dogs 2
This are the average yearly cost for owning a pet according to the GetBuddy
Cats
Dogs
Dogs
$1,040
Large breed
$894
Medium breed
$737
Small breed
Financial Distress from Pet Ownership
Unconditional love comes with a heavy price. Here's how owners are bearing the costs.
91%3
of pet owners
have endured some level of financial stress because of pet care cost.
22%3
of pet owners
Over a fifth of pet owners, have at least $2,000 in pet-related debt.
42%4
of pet owners
Can't afford an unexpected $999 vet bill without debt.
58%5
of pet owners
admitted to skipping meals to afford their pet's needs.
The data is clear: behind the unconditional love lies a growing economic burden that reshapes budgets and lifestyles.
This infographic was developed by GetBuddy using data from the following sources:
1 Gallup
2 ASPCA
3 MetLife Insurance
4 NBC News
5 USA Today