Pets
Caring for pets without surprise costs, from the real cost of ownership and pet insurance to choosing a vet and traveling with pets.
Pet basics
Caring for your pets
Pets are family, and looking after them well means planning for their costs as well as their care. Knowing what to expect helps you give them a happy, healthy life without budget surprises.
The real cost of owning a pet covers first-year and yearly costs for dogs and cats, the expenses people forget and ways to save without cutting corners. For big vet bills, see is pet insurance worth it?, which explains how policies work and when saving on your own makes more sense.
A good vet is one of your pet's most important relationships. How to choose a vet covers what to look for and how to plan for emergencies. Heading away? Traveling with pets covers road trips, flights and choosing between pet sitters and boarding.
Common questions
The first year usually costs the most, with adoption, vaccines and supplies. After that, food, vet care, preventive medicines and pet care while you travel add up every year, and dogs usually cost more than cats.
It can be if a sudden vet bill of a few thousand dollars would be hard to pay, especially if you insure a pet while it's young. If you have a solid emergency fund, saving on your own can work too.
Call your vet or the nearest 24-hour emergency clinic right away. It helps to find the emergency clinic and save its number before you ever need it.