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Dogs and Cats
Companionship doesn’t come cheap.
Spending to feed and care for dogs and cats jumped 36% since 1996. Nearly 40% of Americans own a dog, while 34% own a cat, with roughly 30% owning multiple pets. To tame costs, half of owners buy food at discount stores, while 5% own pet health insurance, paying an average annual premium of $141.
The big average annual expenses for Fido and Samantha:
|
Dog |
Cat |
| Surgery |
$289 |
$257 |
| Routine exams |
$156 |
$115 |
| Pills/vitamins |
$45 |
$33 |
| Food |
$187 |
$170 |
| Treats |
$48 |
$26 |
| Grooming |
$87 |
$17 |
| TOTAL |
$812 |
$618 |
SOURCES: American Pet Products Manufacturers Association, Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council and the American Animal Hospital Association
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