How Much Does It Cost to Keep a Dog? Monthly Running Costs Explained

Before bringing a dog home, it is essential to understand the costs involved. To avoid regret over unexpected expenses, here is a realistic breakdown of initial and ongoing costs.

Initial Cost Estimates

One-time expenses when welcoming a dog:

| Item | Estimated Cost | |------|---------------| | Puppy purchase (purebred) | 100,000-500,000 yen | | Crate/playpen | 5,000-30,000 yen | | Potty tray and pads (initial) | 3,000-10,000 yen | | Bed/cushion | 3,000-15,000 yen | | Food (initial) | 2,000-5,000 yen | | Leash/collar/harness | 2,000-10,000 yen | | First vaccinations and checkup | 15,000-30,000 yen |

Estimated initial total: approximately 200,000-800,000 yen

Monthly Running Costs

Small Dogs (under 10 kg)

• Food: 3,000-8,000 yen (primarily dry food)
• Treats: 1,000-3,000 yen
• Potty pads: 1,000-3,000 yen
• Grooming (monthly average): 2,000-5,000 yen (5,000-15,000 yen per session, every 2-3 months)
• Pet insurance: 2,000-5,000 yen
• Toys and supplies: 500-2,000 yen
• Monthly total: approximately 10,000-25,000 yen

Medium Dogs (10-25 kg)

• Food: 5,000-15,000 yen
• Grooming (monthly average): 2,000-8,000 yen
• Pet insurance: 3,000-6,000 yen
• Monthly total: approximately 15,000-35,000 yen

Large Dogs (25 kg+)

• Food: 10,000-25,000 yen
• Pet insurance: 4,000-8,000 yen
• Monthly total: approximately 20,000-50,000 yen

Annual Medical Expenses

Basic medical costs even for healthy dogs:

• Combination vaccines: 5,000-10,000 yen
• Heartworm prevention (May-November): 5,000-15,000 yen
• Flea/tick prevention: 5,000-10,000 yen
• Health screening (blood tests, etc.): 5,000-20,000 yen
• Annual basic medical total: approximately 20,000-60,000 yen

Surgery and Treatment Costs (Reference)

Unexpected illness or injury costs can be substantial:

• Fracture surgery: 200,000-500,000 yen
• Foreign body ingestion surgery: 100,000-300,000 yen
• Cancer treatment: 300,000-1,000,000+ yen

Pet insurance (2,000-8,000 yen/month) is strongly recommended.

Summary

Annual ownership costs are approximately 150,000-300,000 yen for small dogs and 300,000-600,000 yen for large dogs. Bri-Choku allows post-purchase consultations with breeders, so you can also ask about cost-saving tips.