The short answer

On average, you should expect around 80 to 250 euros per month in Germany, depending on size, food quality and whether you use insurance or pet care. On top of that come one-off costs for getting the dog, the first equipment and, if needed, neutering.

• Must-haves: food, vet check-ups, dog tax, liability insurance, accessories
• Optional: dog school, health or surgery insurance, pet care
• Plan an emergency fund of 1,500 to 4,000 euros
• Liability insurance and savings lower your risk with any dog size

A dog does not cost peanuts, more like quite a lot of euros, to be honest right from the start. If you held your breath at your last vet visit when the bill came: welcome to the club. Dogs are true masters at winning our hearts and keeping our wallets busy at the same time.

To help you keep track, we go step by step: first the costs by dog size, then each type of cost in detail, after that the one-off costs at the start and finally which dog fits your budget and where saving really pays off.

What affects the costs

Three things mainly decide how expensive your dog will be: size, breed and living situation. Body size has a direct effect on how much food is needed and on medication doses, bigger dogs simply need more of everything. Some breeds come with breed-related health risks that raise vet costs.

Your living situation counts too: with a garden, your dog can let off steam at no extra cost (unless he loves digging up the English lawn, but let’s leave that aside). If you live in a flat and are often out during the day, you are more likely to need a dog sitter or a doggy day care, and they cost 15 to 35 euros per day.

Dog school or health insurance are possible for any size and optional. A Chihuahua benefits from good training just as much as a Labrador.

How much a dog costs per month, by size

So you can compare small, medium and large fairly, the table shows the same cost items for each size.

Cost item	Small (e.g. Chihuahua)	Medium (e.g. Beagle)	Large (e.g. Labrador)
Food	€30 to €60	€50 to €90	€80 to €150
Vet check-ups (routine)	€20 to €40	€20 to €40	€20 to €40
Dog tax	€4 to €17	€4 to €17	€4 to €17
Liability insurance	€3 to €10	€3 to €10	€3 to €10
Accessories (toys, grooming products etc.)	€10 to €30	€10 to €30	€10 to €30
Subtotal (must-haves)	approx. €67 to €157	approx. €87 to €187	approx. €117 to €247
+ Dog school/training (optional)	€10 to €20	€10 to €20	€10 to €20
+ Health/surgery insurance (optional)	€5 to €60	€5 to €60	€5 to €60
+ Pet care/other (optional)	€10 to €20	€10 to €20	€15 to €35

For vet check-ups and insurance, you will end up closer to the upper end if your breed is more prone to illness or your dog is bigger. The row “Pet care/other” is a monthly average for occasional care, not the daily rate of a dog sitter. The must-haves apply to every dog, the optional items you add as needed.

The main expenses in detail

Food, vet and cover are where the budget varies the most. But small items like poop bags or toys also add up quickly.

Food and nutrition

For small dogs, expect about 30 to 60 euros per month, for medium-sized dogs 50 to 90 euros, for large dogs 80 to 150 euros. High-quality dry food is usually cheaper per kilogram than wet food or BARF (raw feeding). Look at the ingredient declaration and energy content and work out the real price per day instead of just the pack price. Large packs or subscriptions save 10 to 30 percent.

Often overlooked are treats and chews at 5 to 20 euros per month, special food for allergic or senior dogs with often a 10 to 50 percent surcharge, and BARF, which can be more expensive depending on the meat quality. How much food your dog needs is calculated by our pet food calculator based on weight and activity.

Vet and preventive care

Regular preventive care with vaccinations, deworming and parasite protection costs on average 20 to 40 euros per month. Breed-related problems can increase this. Emergencies or operations come on top and quickly cost 1,000 to 4,000 euros, which is exactly what the emergency fund is for. Put aside at least 30 euros a month or look into health insurance.

Health and surgery insurance

Dog health insurance usually costs 20 to 60 euros per month, depending on age, breed and plan. Surgery insurance is available from about 5 to 15 euros, but it only covers operations. For high-risk breeds or large dogs, surgery insurance is often worth it, for robust small dogs your own savings can be cheaper. Compare price and cover, feel free to use several comparison sites.

Liability insurance and dog tax

Dog liability insurance is cheap and often mandatory depending on the federal state. The Verbraucherzentrale (German consumer advice centre) gives a neutral overview. Premiums are around 3 to 10 euros per month and cover personal injury and property damage and often third-party claims. Without liability insurance, you are personally liable up to the full amount of your assets.

The dog tax is set by your municipality, usually 30 to 200 euros per year, in big cities mostly 90 to 120 euros. Higher rates often apply to listed breeds or additional dogs. Register your dog in time, otherwise you risk fines.

You save the most on food, because it comes up every month. At these shops you will find current discounts, the details come live from our coupon pages:

One-off costs and first equipment

Before or shortly after your dog moves in, you pay the purchase or adoption fee, a bed, leads, bowls and the first grooming products. Rather buy high-quality basics than cheap throwaway stuff, your future self will thank you. What your first equipment costs is worked out by our first equipment cost calculator in just a few clicks.

Getting a dog: shelter, animal welfare or breeder?

Where your dog comes from determines most of the one-off costs. Cheap puppies from dubious sources look tempting, but often cause high vet costs later. With breeders, look for health certificates, pedigree papers and socialisation.

If you adopt a dog through animal welfare, also read what matters when settling in your rescue dog and how to change his diet the right way.

If your dog has a higher genetic risk for such defects, plan your financial safety net especially carefully.

Neutering

An item that often gets forgotten when planning: for male dogs, neutering usually costs 200 to 300 euros, for female dogs, because of the more complex procedure, more like 300 to 400 euros and more. Whether and when it makes sense is best discussed with your vet. With shelter dogs it is sometimes already included, sometimes not.

Starter equipment and extras

For the basic equipment, expect these price ranges: basket or bed 40 to 150 euros depending on size, lead plus collar or harness 40 to 150 euros, bowls 15 to 60 euros, transport crate or car restraint 60 to 300 euros, grooming products such as brush, nail clippers and poop bags 20 to 80 euros, and basic toys and a first aid kit 30 to 80 euros. Buy sturdy leads and a well-fitting harness instead of cheap sets, ceramic bowls last longer and are more hygienic.

Useful extras are a puppy course (130 to 250 euros for group courses), dental care and grooming products (20 to 60 euros one-off, plus as needed), safety items such as reflectors or an LED collar (10 to 40 euros) and new toys every few months for 10 to 30 euros. For travelling you may add a foldable water bowl, travel bag or safety belts, and if you are often away, also dog boarding or day care.

Choosing the right dog for your budget and saving money

Plan realistically: calculate fixed items like food, tax and liability insurance and build a fund for emergencies. Choose a breed or mix whose health risks, energy needs and grooming needs fit your everyday life and budget.

According to the FCI’s scientific report on brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome, short-nosed breeds such as Pugs or French Bulldogs often have higher vet costs due to breathing and eye problems. Large breeds need more food and have more expensive operations. Mixed breeds from the shelter are usually cheaper and healthier, the bargain hunters among four-legged friends, so to speak.

Ask yourself honestly: how much time do you have for exercise, training and grooming? Do you want a dog with expensive special food or frequent coat care? Also talk to breeders, shelters and owners to get a realistic idea of everyday life and costs.

By the way, puppies apparently find furniture delicious. To be honest, that belongs in the budget too.

Frequently asked questions