How much does the first year of caring for a puppy cost?

Providing the right care in the first year of your puppy’s life is expensive, but let’s break down the costs and why they’re essential to a healthier future for your dog.

Adding a puppy to your household is an exciting adventure – it’s also a big commitment and lifestyle change. In addition to dedicating time and energy to training and properly raising a new puppy, it’s a financial undertaking. Outside of food, training, supplies, socialization, and grooming – health care in a puppy’s first year alone can add up significantly. Providing the right care and resources in the first year can set you and your puppy up for a healthier future, but it does require thought and financial preparation. 

Essential puppy costs

Depending on the size of the dog, the breed, where you live, and your dog’s individual needs, first-year expenses can climb close to $2,000.

General veterinary care ranges from around $100 to $500 during your puppy’s first year – this includes at least three exams, a fecal test, preventative medications and required vaccinations. Spaying or neutering your puppy is a health expense that you’ll have to factor in as well, and it can run you anywhere from $340 to $1500, depending on your breed.

Heartworm medication and flea and tick protection are essential expenses for puppies, and this kind of preventative care generally costs around $100 to $300. 

Puppies are accident-prone

But puppyhood is about preparing for the expected and the unexpected, and the potential for emergency vet visits isn’t factored into that total number. While most people generally think of puppies as boisterous and healthy little creatures – puppies can end up at the emergency vet, mostly for accidents, like eating something they shouldn’t have, or sudden illness. The cost of an emergency vet visit isn’t easy to estimate, but it can start climbing well into the four figures and even higher depending on the necessary treatment.

Even the most careful pet owners can find themselves in the waiting room of the vet looking at an unexpected bill. Chipping a tooth can result in hundreds or even thousands of dollars in dental care, or eating a sock that escaped the dryer could land a puppy in foreign body removal surgery that can range between $2,000 to $5,000 depending on the circumstances.

Investing in your puppy’s health

Owners who think of their pets as family don’t want to be in the position of having to compromise on care. Investing in your puppy’s health up front can help save you heartache and protect your wallet down the line.

While puppyhood bills can pile up, these up-front costs are essential to maintain your puppy’s well-being. Staying on top of your puppy’s wellness visits, preventative care, and enrolling in a pet insurance plan can help keep costs down over time. Think of it as a lifetime investment that gives you peace of mind and ensures your puppy always gets the best care, no matter what.

Insurance as a lifetime investment

Educating yourself on expected and unexpected costs of puppyhood can help you prepare in advance for what dog ownership might throw your way. While pet insurance can be a confusing landscape, it’s an essential part of preparing for puppyhood, and the right plan can provide peace of mind that you can always get the best care for your puppy. Insuring your puppy from day one is one of the ways you can stay on top of your puppy’s health from the beginning, and it can save you from costly vet bills related to an accident or preexisting condition.

But getting pet insurance isn’t just a financial safety net – it’s a gesture that shows your commitment to being a responsible dog owner and the care and investment you’ve put into your puppy. Insurance won’t look the same for every owner — some people might be best suited for a basic accident plan, while others might look toward wellness coverage or 100% reimbursement.

As you navigate insurance, you might find some providers offer 30 day free trials during the first month home with your puppy, but insurance is an investment that only returns its value over time. It’s unlikely that you’ll see the full value of your insurance plan in just one month, but the usefulness shows up over a year, several years, and a lifetime. Finding a plan that’s flexible, accessible, and suits your unique lifestyle needs makes it easy to stick with insurance for the life of your dog, so you can always provide them the best care, no matter what. That’s why Good Dog did a thorough screening of the pet insurance market and chose to partner with Figo for their completely customizable and flexible plans.

When it comes to puppyhood, you can really never be too prepared. Pet insurance is reassurance that you’ll never have to choose between financial stability and quality care for your puppy. Check out the following resources to learn more our pet insurance offer.

• Why we chose to partner with Figo
• Explore what coverage looks like

Program not available in TN. New and current policyholders may receive a 5% multi-pet discount if they get coverage for more than one pet or add an additional pet to an existing policy.

Policies are underwritten and issued by the insurer, Independence American Insurance Company, 11333 North Scottsdale Road Suite 160 Scottsdale, AZ 85254. Policies and claims are administered by Figo Pet Insurance, LLC, 540 N Dearborn Street #10873, Chicago, IL 60610. Good Dog Insurance Services, LLC. is a licensed insurance agent. Good Dog Insurance Services, LLC. does underwrite insurance or pay claims. Good Dog Insurance Services California license number is 6007054.