General · Pets
Pet cost calculator.
Estimate the real first-year setup cost and the typical annual cost of owning a dog or cat — food, vet care and vaccinations, supplies, grooming, and pet insurance.
Inputs
Estimated cost
Fill the form and press Calculate pet costs.
Where these defaults come from
The editable defaults above are the Ontario Veterinary Medical Association's (OVMA) 2025 Cost of Care figures — provincial averages published as separate sheets for a first-year puppy/kitten and for an adult dog/cat in the years after. They're a real veterinary-association estimate, not a guess, and the OVMA is explicit that actual costs vary by pet, region, and choices made (raw vs. kibble, insurer, breed size, and so on).
Official OVMA figures (Ontario average)
| Category | Puppy (year 1) | Adult dog (year 2+) |
|---|---|---|
| Parasite prevention | $189 | $238 |
| Exams with vaccines | $642 | $214 |
| Deworming medication | $91 | — |
| Fecal exams | $131 | $66 |
| Microchip | $137 | — |
| Heartworm/Lyme test | — | $125 |
| Wellness profile (blood work) | — | $174 |
| Professional dental care | — | $1,320 |
| Neuter / spay | $1,016 / $1,118 | — |
| Food | $866 | $1,418 |
| Bowls | $44 | — |
| Collar & leash | $55 | $54 (collar) |
| Bed | $78 | — |
| Toys | $83 | $82 |
| Crate | $178 | — |
| Obedience classes | $555 | — |
| Licence | $25 | $25 |
| Pet insurance* | $1,402 | $1,402 |
| Total | $5,493 / $5,595 | $5,118 |
| Category | Kitten (year 1) | Adult cat (year 2+) |
|---|---|---|
| Parasite prevention | $135 | $131 |
| Exams with vaccines | $642 | $214 |
| Deworming medication | $91 | — |
| Fecal exams | $131 | $66 |
| Microchip | $137 | — |
| Wellness profile (blood work) | — | $174 |
| Professional dental care | — | $1,320 |
| Neuter / spay | $786 / $972 | — |
| Food | $674 | $773 |
| Bowls | $44 | — |
| Collar | $22 | $22 |
| Bed | $55 | — |
| Toys | $50 | $50 |
| Scratching post | $44 | — |
| Carrier | $89 | — |
| Litter & litter box | $308 | $258 (litter) |
| Licence | $15 | $15 |
| Pet insurance* | $704 | $704 |
| Total | $3,928 / $4,114 | $3,726 |
Why professional grooming isn't in the defaults
OVMA's Cost of Care sheets don't itemize professional grooming as a line item, so this calculator doesn't invent a number for it. If your pet needs regular professional grooming (common for long-haired or high-maintenance breeds), add your own known local cost in the grooming field — it's treated as a recurring annual cost in both totals.
Sources, and when they were checked
The figures above were checked against these sources on 29 September 2026. Cost-of-care figures are updated periodically; if you're reading this long after that date, it's worth a fresh check against the OVMA's current sheets.
- Ontario Veterinary Medical Association — Pet Care resources — links to the official "Annual Costs of Owning a Kitten/Cat" and "Annual Costs of Owning a Puppy/Dog" 2025 PDF sheets used for every default above
Disclaimer
This calculator provides estimates for educational and planning purposes only, based on OVMA's published Ontario provincial averages. Your actual costs depend on your pet's breed, size, health, region, and the choices you make (insurer, food quality, DIY vs. professional grooming, and so on). Consult your veterinarian and a licensed pet insurance provider for figures specific to your situation.