The cost of owning a pet in Australia

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Does Australia have high rates of pet ownership?

How much does it cost to own a pet?

How can pet insurance help with pet ownership costs?

How can I reduce my pet ownership costs?

Long story short

Dogs can cost about $2,361 annually, while cats can cost about $1,640 annually

Pets tend to cost more in their first year due to expenses like desexing and new essentials like beds and collars.

Food can cost on average $1,090 annually for dogs and $884 for cats

While food is often the greatest expense, regular preventative care like worming and other necessities like cat litter can also add up.

Pet insurance can help owners manage unexpected vet bills

This can include if a pet is accidentally injured or becomes unwell, along with routine vet care costs like check-ups.

Does Australia have high rates of pet ownership?

As of March 2025, there are an estimated 31.6 million pets in Australia with 73% of Aussies homes having a feathered, scaly or furry friend, according to Animal Medicines Australia.¹Animal Medicines Australia – Pets in Australia: A national survey of pets and people, p4

Almost half of pet-owning Australians have a dog, while cats are the second most popular pet. Fish, birds, small mammals, reptiles and other pets make up the rest of Australia’s pet population.

How much does it cost to own a pet?

It’s estimated the initial costs of dog ownership is between $1,979 and $3,001 annually before dropping slightly to between $1,260 and $1,870 each year after, while the average cost for a cat is estimated between $1,634 and $2,361 for the first year and then $1,090 to $1,640 annually, according to RSPCA New South Wales.²RSPCA New South Wales – Cost of Owning a Pet While these costs will likely vary depending on your pet’s breed, care requirements and age when you bring them home, the table below explores some of the costs that go into these final figures.

From the get-go, there can be a significant difference in pet costs as. From March 2023 to March 2025, dogs were bought for, $1,419 on average, while cats were sold for an average of $419, according to Animal Medicines Australia. Interestingly, nearly half of all cats adopted in that 2-year period were actually free, like being taken in as a stray, compared to only 25% of dogs.³Animal Medicines Australia – Pets in Australia: A national survey of pets and people, p43

Unsurprisingly, food is the greatest ongoing cost for pets. As of March 2025, dog owners spent on average $1,090 on dog food annually while cat owners spent $884 annually on cat food, according to Animal Medicines Australia.⁴Animal Medicines Australia – Pets in Australia: A national survey of pets and people, p45 However, a high-quality food ensures your pet gets the nutrients they need to stay healthy.

And while those initial upfront costs can be higher, since you might have to purchase all the gear to make them comfy, like beds and bowls, and cross off important health care milestones, like microchipping, initial vaccinations and desexing, pets can also become more expensive as they get older. This is because senior pets are more likely to have chronic conditions requiring ongoing care and management (and vet visits).

Estimated average annual cost of pet ownership

Note: These figures reflect indicative costs for owning a dog or cat in Australia, based on data from Animal Medicines Australia and RSPCA New South Wales. Actual costs may vary depending on your unique circumstances. Accessed April 2026.

Helpful tip

Thinking of bringing a furry mate into your life? Don’t just factor in the kibble and the odd wash – there’s more to the tail than meets the eye.

Vet bills can hit harder than a wagging tail, especially when you least expect it. So having a rainy-day fund (or pet insurance) can means your pet won’t miss out on care when it counts.

When it comes to comparing pet insurance, you might want to sniff out various policies that could potentially cover accidental injuries and illnesses, along with help you save some money on routine vet care, like check-ups.

By keeping your budget on a tight leash and planning for the unexpected, you can make sure both you and your best mate stay happy.

Adrian Bennett

General Manager for General Insurance

How can pet insurance help with pet ownership costs?

Pet insurance policies can help reduce your pet ownership costs by covering some of the costs of vet care, particularly unexpected costs like if your pet is injured or becomes sick. For instance, if your pet were to be bitten by another animal, your pet insurance could help cover the costs of treating this injury, including cleaning the wound, stitching it shut and antibiotics to prevent an infection.

Depending on the policy, your pet insurance can help cover costs for:

• accidental injuries, like broken bones after being hit by a car or burns
• illnesses and diseases, like diabetes and heart disease
• routine and preventative care, like vaccinations and check-ups.

When you’re deciding on pet insurance, it might help to think about your biggest concerns for your pet based on their age, current health and exposure to risks, like often being outside unsupervised.

How can I reduce my pet ownership costs?

Owning a pet doesn’t have to break the bank; as a savvy fur parent, you can help keep costs down by buying necessities like food in bulk, giving your pet at-home spa days rather than taking them to a groomer, keeping on top of preventative care and adopting rather than shopping for your new best friend.

Keep your pet healthy

Being proactive with preventative pet care can be far cheaper than treating potential major health issues down the track (remember vet costs aren’t subsidised by the government like many human medical costs). So, it’s worth making sure your pet is up to date with regular vaccinations and flea and tick treatments, plus eats a balanced diet. And if you think something isn’t quite right, it could be a good idea to get it checked out sooner rather than later, even just for peace of mind.

Buy in bulk

Pet food and litter are often cheaper when purchased in larger quantities. Many brands also offer subscription services for additional savings, so you don’t have to worry about running out of food and litter while saving a little cash, too.

Groom at home

Investing in basic grooming kits (and following a few YouTube tutorials) can save you hundreds on professional grooming. Brushing your pet’s coat regularly keeps them free of mats and can reduce hairballs for cats. It’s also a chance to give your pet a full close inspection for ticks, fleas, cuts and scrapes, and suspicious lumps that might require a vet to check. It’s also a great way to have some chill one-on-one time with your fur baby.

Adopt instead of buy

Many animal shelters and rescues set their adoption fees based on how much it costs to desex and vaccinate an animal. Choosing to adopt rather than ‘shop’ from a breeder or pet store means you could be getting a great deal with those important initial health services taken care of for you and covered in a convenient price. Not to mention you’re rescuing a pet from homelessness and giving them a loving home.