📖 Overview
Use this calculator to set a practical monthly pet care budget with fewer surprises.
⚙️ How It Works
This sums common recurring pet costs to estimate baseline monthly care budget.
The Formula
Monthly Budget = Food + Vet Reserve + Insurance + Grooming + Supplies + Other
💡Unexpected vet costs are the biggest budget risk. A 3-month vet reserve (or pet insurance with a low deductible) protects against emergency expenses averaging $1,000–3,000.
Quick Reference
| Cost Item | Small Dog | Large Dog | Indoor Cat |
|---|---|---|---|
| Food | $30–50 | $60–100 | $20–40 |
| Vet reserve | $30–50 | $50–80 | $20–40 |
| Insurance | $30–60 | $50–100 | $15–35 |
| Grooming | $10–30 | $20–60 | $5–15 |
| Supplies | $10–20 | $15–30 | $10–20 |
| Total est. | $110–210 | $195–370 | $70–150 |
Practical Tips
💡 Include preventative care reserve in vet allocation.
💡 Revisit costs quarterly as prices change.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Should food and insurance be in one budget?
Yes, recurring costs are easier to manage when aggregated monthly.
❓ Can this include one-time expenses?
One-time costs should be tracked separately from monthly baseline.