Nobody tells you the real numbers before you bring a dog home. I learned that the hard way with my first Golden Retriever — I’d budgeted for food and vet visits, maybe a toy or two, and then the first month’s bills hit. It wasn’t catastrophic, but it was definitely more than I’d expected.
Here’s the thing about the monthly cost of owning a dog by size: it’s not just “bigger dog equals more food.” That’s part of it, sure. But everything scales — medications, beds, crates, even the grooming bill. A 10-pound Chihuahua and a 150-pound Great Dane might both be “dogs,” but their monthly budgets look nothing alike.
I’ve tracked my own dog expenses obsessively for years (spreadsheet nerd, guilty as charged), and I’ve helped dozens of friends figure out realistic budgets for their breeds. So let’s break this down properly — no vague “it depends” answers, just real numbers you can actually plan around.
Small Dogs (Under 20 lbs): Monthly Cost Breakdown
Think Chihuahuas, Yorkies, Maltese, Pomeranians, Shih Tzus. These little guys are often marketed as “budget-friendly” pets, and there’s some truth to that. But small doesn’t always mean cheap.
Food and Treats
Small dogs eat less. Obviously. A 15-pound dog needs roughly 1 to 1.5 cups of kibble per day, which means a 30-pound bag of quality food lasts two to three months.
- Budget kibble (Purina ONE, Diamond Naturals): $15–$25/month
- Mid-range (Blue Buffalo, Merrick): $20–$35/month
- Premium (Orijen, The Farmer’s Dog fresh food): $35–$70/month
- Treats: $5–$15/month
Most small dog owners I know spend $25–$40 per month on food and treats. The catch? Small breeds are notorious for being picky eaters. My friend’s Yorkie has rejected more premium food than most dogs ever taste. You might end up buying the expensive stuff not because you want to, but because it’s the only thing they’ll eat.
Healthcare and Prevention
Monthly healthcare costs, spread across the year, include flea/tick prevention, heartworm medication, and setting aside money for annual vet visits.
- Flea/tick prevention (NexGard, Simparica): $12–$18/month for small dogs
- Heartworm prevention (Heartgard): $6–$10/month
- Dental care: Small breeds have notoriously bad teeth. Budget $5–$10/month toward professional cleanings
- Vet visit fund (annual exam + vaccines, amortized): $15–$25/month
- Pet insurance: $25–$40/month (small breeds tend to have lower premiums)
Total healthcare: $60–$100/month when you account for everything. Dental is the hidden killer here. Small dogs need professional cleanings more often — sometimes annually — and those run $300–$600 each time.
Grooming
This varies wildly. A short-coated Chihuahua? Basically free — a bath at home and you’re done. A Yorkie or Maltese with a long coat? Different story entirely.
- Low-maintenance breeds: $0–$10/month (home bathing, occasional nail trim)
- High-maintenance breeds: $40–$70/month (professional grooming every 4–6 weeks at $50–$80 per session)
Total Monthly Range
Small dog monthly budget: $100–$220
The low end assumes a healthy, short-coated dog on decent food with basic prevention. The high end covers a long-coated breed on premium food with full insurance coverage.
Medium Dogs (20-50 lbs): Monthly Cost Breakdown
Beagles, Border Collies, Bulldogs, Cocker Spaniels, Australian Shepherds. This is the sweet spot for a lot of families — and honestly, for budgets too.
Food and Treats
A 35-pound dog eats roughly 2 to 2.5 cups daily. You’re going through a 30-pound bag every five to six weeks.
- Budget kibble: $25–$40/month
- Mid-range: $35–$55/month
- Premium: $55–$100/month
- Treats: $8–$20/month
Realistic monthly food spend: $40–$65. My Border Collie was on the higher end because she was incredibly active and burned through calories like nobody’s business. Activity level matters as much as size — a lazy Bulldog eats less than a working Australian Shepherd even at the same weight.
Healthcare and Prevention
- Flea/tick prevention: $16–$25/month (dosage increases with weight)
- Heartworm prevention: $8–$14/month
- Vet visit fund: $20–$30/month
- Pet insurance: $30–$55/month (breed matters here — Bulldogs are expensive to insure)
Total healthcare: $75–$125/month. Brachycephalic breeds like Bulldogs and Pugs push costs higher. Their insurance premiums reflect the reality that they’ll likely need more vet care. A friend’s English Bulldog costs nearly double her Beagle for insurance alone.
Grooming
Medium dogs span the full grooming spectrum. A Beagle needs almost nothing. A Cocker Spaniel needs regular professional grooming.
- Low-maintenance: $5–$15/month
- Medium-maintenance (regular brushing, occasional pro grooming): $20–$40/month
- High-maintenance (Poodle mixes, Cockers): $50–$80/month
Total Monthly Range
Medium dog monthly budget: $130–$280
Medium dogs hit a comfortable middle ground. Food costs are moderate, insurance is reasonable for most breeds, and unless you’ve got a breed that needs constant coat maintenance, grooming stays manageable.
Large Dogs (50-90 lbs): Monthly Cost Breakdown
Golden Retrievers, Labrador Retrievers, German Shepherds, Boxers, Standard Poodles. This is where I’ve spent most of my dog-owning life, and this is where costs start climbing noticeably.
Food and Treats
A 70-pound dog goes through 3 to 4 cups of food daily. That 30-pound bag? Gone in three to four weeks.
- Budget kibble: $40–$60/month
- Mid-range: $55–$80/month
- Premium: $80–$150/month
- Treats: $10–$25/month
Realistic spend: $55–$90/month. When my Golden was on Purina Pro Plan, I was spending about $65 a month on food. Switching to a higher-protein formula for his joint health bumped that to $85. And Goldens aren’t even the hungriest large breed — Labs will out-eat them any day.
Healthcare and Prevention
This is where large dog ownership gets real.
- Flea/tick prevention: $20–$30/month (larger doses cost more)
- Heartworm prevention: $12–$18/month
- Joint supplements (glucosamine/chondroitin): $15–$30/month — almost essential for large breeds
- Vet visit fund: $25–$40/month (large breeds are prone to more expensive conditions)
- Pet insurance: $40–$70/month
Total healthcare: $110–$185/month. Joint supplements aren’t optional for most large breeds. My Golden started showing stiffness at age six, and his vet recommended Cosequin immediately. That’s $25/month you don’t think about until you need it. And you will need it.
Grooming
Large dogs mean more dog to groom — more shampoo, longer drying time, bigger everything.
- Short-coated breeds (Boxers, Labs): $10–$25/month
- Double-coated breeds (Goldens, German Shepherds): $25–$50/month (more if you use a professional groomer during shedding season)
- Professional grooming: $65–$100 per session for large dogs
I groomed my Golden at home mostly, but twice a year during heavy shedding, I’d take him in for a professional de-shed treatment. Worth every penny of that $85.
Total Monthly Range
Large dog monthly budget: $185–$350
The jump from medium to large is significant. It’s not just the food — it’s everything costing 30-50% more because everything is bigger.
Giant Dogs (90+ lbs): Monthly Cost Breakdown
Great Danes, Saint Bernards, Mastiffs, Bernese Mountain Dogs, Newfoundlands, Irish Wolfhounds. Beautiful, majestic animals. Also beautiful at draining your bank account.
Food and Treats
Giant breeds can eat 6 to 10 cups of food per day. Let that sink in. A 30-pound bag might last two weeks.
- Budget kibble: $60–$90/month
- Mid-range: $80–$120/month
- Premium or large-breed specific formulas: $120–$200+/month
- Treats: $15–$30/month
Realistic spend: $80–$130/month. And that’s being conservative. A neighbor’s Saint Bernard goes through a 40-pound bag of Victor Hi-Pro Plus every three weeks. At $55 a bag, that’s nearly $80 on kibble alone before treats.
Healthcare and Prevention
Giant breeds have the highest healthcare costs across the board. Shorter lifespans (7–10 years for most) mean more age-related issues packed into fewer years.
- Flea/tick prevention: $25–$40/month (maximum weight-based dosing)
- Heartworm prevention: $15–$22/month
- Joint supplements: $25–$45/month (non-negotiable for giant breeds)
- Vet visit fund: $35–$60/month (higher incidence of bloat, hip dysplasia, heart conditions)
- Pet insurance: $55–$100/month (giant breeds are the most expensive to insure)
Total healthcare: $155–$265/month. Pet insurance for giant breeds is genuinely painful. But it’s also where it’s most likely to pay off. A bloat surgery — which Great Danes are especially prone to — costs $3,000–$7,000. One incident can justify years of premiums.
Grooming
Giant dogs need giant grooming budgets. Even “low-maintenance” giant breeds require more product and more time.
- Short-coated giants (Great Danes, Mastiffs): $15–$30/month
- Long/thick-coated giants (Newfoundlands, Bernese): $50–$100/month
- Professional grooming: $80–$150 per session — many groomers charge extra for giant breeds
A Newfoundland owner I know spends $120 every six weeks on professional grooming. That coat is magnificent but it’s a part-time job to maintain.
Total Monthly Range
Giant dog monthly budget: $260–$500+
And that’s maintenance. No emergencies, no special dietary needs, no behavioral training. Just keeping a healthy giant breed fed, protected, and groomed.
Side-by-Side Comparison Table
Here’s the full monthly cost of owning a dog by size, broken down into a comparison you can actually use:
| Expense Category | Small (<20 lbs) | Medium (20-50 lbs) | Large (50-90 lbs) | Giant (90+ lbs) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food & Treats | $25–$40 | $40–$65 | $55–$90 | $80–$130 |
| Flea/Tick Prevention | $12–$18 | $16–$25 | $20–$30 | $25–$40 |
| Heartworm Prevention | $6–$10 | $8–$14 | $12–$18 | $15–$22 |
| Joint Supplements | $0–$10 | $0–$15 | $15–$30 | $25–$45 |
| Vet Fund (amortized) | $15–$25 | $20–$30 | $25–$40 | $35–$60 |
| Pet Insurance | $25–$40 | $30–$55 | $40–$70 | $55–$100 |
| Grooming | $0–$70 | $5–$80 | $10–$100 | $15–$150 |
| Miscellaneous (toys, beds, etc.) | $10–$20 | $15–$25 | $20–$35 | $25–$50 |
| TOTAL RANGE | $100–$220 | $130–$280 | $185–$350 | $260–$500+ |
The miscellaneous category covers replacement toys, beds, leashes, and the random stuff you end up buying. Large and giant dogs destroy toys faster and need more durable (read: expensive) versions of everything.
Where Your Money Really Goes
When people ask how much does a dog cost per month, they usually think food is the biggest expense. It’s not — at least not for most owners.
Here’s a rough percentage breakdown based on average spending across all sizes:
| Category | % of Monthly Budget |
|---|---|
| Food & Treats | 25–30% |
| Healthcare & Prevention | 35–40% |
| Insurance | 15–20% |
| Grooming | 5–15% |
| Supplies & Misc | 5–10% |
Healthcare and prevention eat up the largest chunk of your dog monthly budget breakdown. That surprised me too when I first tallied it up. When you add flea/tick meds, heartworm pills, supplements, and amortized vet visit costs, it adds up fast.
The ratio shifts somewhat by size. For small dogs, food is a smaller percentage and grooming might be higher (especially for breeds needing professional grooming). For giant breeds, food creeps closer to 30% and healthcare dominates even more because of supplement costs and higher insurance premiums.
The takeaway? When budgeting for a dog, don’t just think about the food bowl. The medicine cabinet costs more.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a small dog cost per month compared to a large dog?
A small dog typically costs $100–$220 per month while a large dog runs $185–$350. That’s roughly 75-80% more for a large dog. The biggest differences are food (2-3x more), flea/tick prevention (nearly double), and pet insurance (significantly higher premiums). Grooming costs vary more by breed than by size — a Poodle costs more to groom than a Great Dane regardless of which one weighs more.
Is pet insurance worth it for large and giant breeds?
Honestly? I think so, and I don’t say that lightly. Large and giant breeds are prone to expensive conditions — hip dysplasia, ACL tears, bloat, cancer. A single ACL surgery runs $3,500–$5,500. Bloat surgery can hit $7,000. If you’re paying $50–$80/month for insurance and you avoid even one major surgery over your dog’s lifetime, you’ve likely broken even or come out ahead. For small breeds with fewer hereditary conditions, it’s a closer call.
What’s the biggest hidden cost of dog ownership?
Dental care. Hands down. Most people don’t budget for it at all, and then they’re hit with a $400–$800 cleaning bill. Small breeds need cleanings more often — sometimes every year — because their teeth crowd together. I’d also call out joint supplements for large breeds as a “hidden” cost. Nobody mentions them when you’re picking out your puppy, but by age five or six, most large dogs benefit from them.
How can I reduce my dog’s monthly expenses without cutting quality of care?
Buy flea/tick and heartworm prevention in bulk — most manufacturers offer 6-month or 12-month packs at significant discounts. Learn to groom at home (YouTube is your friend for breed-specific tutorials). Choose a pet insurance plan with a higher deductible to lower monthly premiums if your dog is young and healthy. And for food, mid-range brands like Purina Pro Plan and Diamond Naturals consistently perform well in nutritional analyses without the premium price tag.
Do small vs large dog monthly expenses change as dogs age?
Yes, significantly. Small dogs live longer (12–16 years) but stay relatively inexpensive per month until their senior years. Large and giant breeds hit their expensive phase earlier — joint supplements by age five, increased vet visits by age seven, and their shorter lifespans (8–12 years for large, 7–10 for giant) mean those costs are concentrated. Senior large dogs can easily cost $400–$500/month with medications and more frequent vet care.
The bottom line on monthly dog costs? Size matters, but it’s not the whole picture. A healthy Labrador on mid-range food costs less per month than a Bulldog with chronic skin issues on premium food. Breed-specific health tendencies, coat type, and your local cost of living all play into the final number.
My advice: take the ranges above for your dog’s size category, be honest about which end of the spectrum you’ll fall on, and then add 15-20% as a buffer. Dogs are wonderfully unpredictable — and their expenses sometimes are too. Better to have that cushion and not need it than to scramble when your pup eats something they shouldn’t have. Trust me on that one.
Featured Image Source: Pexels
