People often expect a few surprises when welcoming a new cat or dog into their home, like getting up earlier than expected to let the dog out or realizing that cats really can get into everything. But it’s usually the financial surprises that catch people off guard.
In Arizona, pet owners spend an average of $2000/year on their pets. For many people, this is a small price to pay for the comfort and companionship that pets bring into their lives. But for others, caring for a pet can be a financial strain. Here’s how to figure out exactly how big to make your budget for pet care.
Adding Up the Cost of Pet Care
Some costs are only a one-time payment, like adoption fees, county licensing requirements, spay/neuter procedures, and microchipping. Others are ongoing expenses like food, pet sitting, and grooming.
Setting a budget can help you handle the recurring costs of pet ownership, but first you need an estimate. If you’re juggling a lot of bills, you can reduce the cost of pet care by shopping around for the best deals or rates, revising your household budget, or making simple changes to your everyday habits that save a little money.
Food and Treats
You can expect the volume of cat or dog food needed to keep a pet fed increases with the size and number of pets. You’ll also want to budget for quality food that’s formulated with the proper vitamins, minerals, and nutrients for healthy growth, shiny coats, and other signs of good health.
Dogster.com reports that dog food costs, for a year, range from $100-500, and you can expect the cost of cat food to be comparable, according to Catster.
Whether it’s dental chews to help keep your pets’ teeth clean between vet visits or treats used to train or reward them, the cost of treats adds up, too, anywhere from $10-15 per bag.
Accessories and Toys
Some pets benefit from having multiple water bowls around the house, a flowing water fountain, or multiple litter boxes. Here are prices you can expect to for the things your pet will typically need:
- Collar: as little as $5-10 and up to hundreds of dollars for specialty collars
- Leash: $10 and up
- Grooming brush: $15-20 minimum
- Nail trimmers for dogs: $20-25 for a manual model, and $50 or more for electric models
- Nail clippers for cats: $5 and up for manual clippers, and $40 and up for electric models
- Toothbrush and toothpaste: $10 and up for a single toothbrush, although you may get a better deal buying a multi-pack
- Scratching post for cats: $15-20 for a simple model, $100 or more for luxury models
The mental stimulation that pet toys provide is crucial for cats’ and dogs’ well-being, especially when they need to spend more time indoors during the hottest months of the year. Pet toys are a billion dollar industry, but you don’t have to spend a fortune. The trick is figuring out which toys are safe and which ones your pet will actually play with.
Pet Sitters/Boarding
If you ever travel, or you’re away from home for most of the day, you might need to pay someone to take care of your pet.
According to care.com: “As of July 2026, the average starting cost of pet care in Gilbert, AZ is $17.45 per hour. The weekly rate…is $698 for working a 40-hour week. And the monthly cost is approximately $2,269 for 130 hours of work.”
Grooming
Some pets need haircuts once or twice a year, especially here in Arizona. Pets with thick coats or long hair will stay cooler if they get a summer trim.
Among the dogs most in need of regular grooming are Poodles, Shih Tzus, and Samoyed, and for cats, it’s Maine Coons, Ragdolls, Persian, and Norwegian Forests. The national average for pet grooming costs is $85 according to Bark.com, and that cost can vary widely based on factors like your pet’s size and temperament.
Affordable Veterinary Care for Pets in Gilbert
All pets need basic preventive care like yearly checkups, booster shots, and dental cleanings. Vaccinations prevent deadly diseases, so they’re non-negotiable. Health risks like fleas, ticks, and heartworm can also be prevented with regular treatments and testing.
It’s always wise to be prepared for emergency visits, too, so you might want to look into pet insurance. Depending on the policy you choose, it can cover anything from routine checkups and vaccinations to emergency care.
The veterinary team here at Anasazi Animal Clinic is ready to assist pet owners in Gilbert with friendly, professional, affordable care. Because we know how wonderful and rewarding having a pet can be, and because we want all pets to live their best lives, we try to keep costs as low as possible.
Contact us to schedule a visit for your pet today!
Photo by Ilse Orsel on Unsplash used with permission under the creative commons license for commercial use 07/23/2026.
