Pet Cost Calculator 2026

A dog costs between 150 and 400 euros per month depending on size. Small dogs run about 150-200 euros, medium dogs 200-300 euros, and large dogs 300-400 euros monthly. The biggest items are food (50-120 euros), preventive vet care (30-45 euros), insurance (35-60 euros) and dog tax (5-13 euros). Add grooming, accessories and prorated pet sitting costs for vacations.

The lifetime costs of a dog range from 15,000 to 50,000 euros, depending on size and life expectancy. A small dog (14-year lifespan) costs about 25,000-35,000 euros, a medium dog (12 years) 30,000-40,000 euros, and a large dog (10 years) 35,000-50,000 euros. This includes purchase, initial equipment, ongoing costs and a reserve for unexpected vet bills.

A cat is significantly cheaper than a dog. Monthly costs are about 100-150 euros compared to 150-400 euros for dogs. Over its lifetime (16 years), a cat costs about 15,000-25,000 euros. The biggest difference: no dog tax for cats, lower food costs, and lower insurance costs. However, cats live on average 4-6 years longer than dogs.

Yes, dog tax is mandatory for all dog owners in Germany. It's levied by the local municipality and varies greatly: from about 60 euros/year in rural areas to over 180 euros/year in major cities like Berlin or Bremen. For a second dog, the tax is often double. Certain breeds (listed dogs) can be taxed even higher. Registration must be done at the municipal office.

Pet health insurance is especially worthwhile for dogs, as surgery costs can quickly reach 2,000 to 5,000 euros. Surgery insurance costs about 15-30 euros/month, comprehensive insurance 30-80 euros/month. For cats, surgery costs are lower (averaging 1,500 euros), so some owners build a reserve instead. For small animals like rabbits or birds, there are hardly any worthwhile insurance options.

Initial equipment for a dog costs 350 to 550 euros depending on size. This includes: dog bed (30-100 euros), bowls (15-40 euros), leash and collar/harness (30-80 euros), transport crate (40-150 euros), grooming tools (20-50 euros), toys (20-40 euros) and initial food supply (30-60 euros). Add costs for the first vet visit with vaccinations (200-300 euros) and microchip (50-70 euros).

Dog food costs between 50 and 120 euros per month depending on dog size and food quality. A small dog gets by with about 50-70 euros, a medium dog needs 70-100 euros, and a large dog 100-150 euros. Premium wet food is significantly more expensive than dry food. BARF (raw feeding) runs 80-200 euros/month. Treats add another 10-20 euros/month.

Common dog surgeries cost: cruciate ligament tear 1,500-3,000 euros, gastric torsion 2,000-4,000 euros, tumor removal 500-3,000 euros, dental cleaning 200-500 euros, and neutering 200-600 euros (depending on gender and size). With the updated GOT (veterinary fee schedule) from 2022, costs have risen significantly. Emergency surgery at night or on weekends can be 50-100% more expensive.

Commonly forgotten costs include: dog tax (60-180 euros/year), liability insurance (40-80 euros/year, mandatory for dogs in many states), pet sitting during vacations (20-50 euros/day), tick prevention and deworming (100-200 euros/year), dental care (50-100 euros/year), and ongoing replacement of toys, leashes and beds. Dog school in the first year (500-1,000 euros) is also often underestimated.

A shelter dog is significantly cheaper to acquire: the adoption fee is about 200-400 euros, while a purebred dog from a breeder costs 1,000-3,000 euros. However, ongoing costs for food, vet and insurance are identical. Shelter dogs are usually already vaccinated, chipped and neutered. Long-term, you save about 1,000-2,500 euros with a shelter dog — but only on acquisition costs.