SEATTLE — As inflation and threats of tariffs continue, prices of pet products have continued to rise, leading to tighter wallets for US pet owners. In fact, 28% of pet parents are worried about being able to afford pet products and more than half (52%) are concerned that tariffs will further stretch costs for owning a pet, according to Rover’s True Cost of Pet Parenthood Report 2025. 

“Working with pet parents on a daily basis, two things are clear: people are concerned about the high and rising costs of pet parenthood, and pet parents continue to be unwavering in their commitment to their furry family members,” said Rebecca Greenstein, DVM, Rover pet people panelist and owner of the Kleinburg Veterinary Hospital. “While the lifetime costs of a pet can potentially be overwhelming, the average healthy dog or cat can live for a decade or more, and the love and companionship they provide is priceless. Being financially prepared with a budget or dedicated savings, and focusing on prevention with regular checkups and recommended vaccines can help the financial responsibility of pet parenthood feel more manageable.”

Rover’s latest report includes data from 1,000 pet parents throughout the United States. The report covers the gamut of pet parent-related expenses, from the upfronts costs of bringing home a new dog or cat to monthly, yearly and lifetime care costs, highlighting major spending trends. 

According to the report, the average lifetime care cost for a 10-year-old dog is $34,550 and the average for a 16-year-old cat is $32,170. As pets live even longer, consumers can expect to spend even more on their furry companions. With inflation and tariffs factored in, pet parents can expect to spend about 85% more on treats and chews, 11% more on veterinary fees, 183% more on pet cleaning supplies and 20% more on grooming supplies. Nearly half (48%) of pet owners are concerned about the rising costs of pet care throughout their pet’s lifetime. Additionally, 31% agreed the cost of pet products seems to be increasing far more than other items, like household or personal care products. 

Breaking down their budgets, Rover found that 69% of pet owners report pet food and treats account for the majority of their budget for pet product purchasing. As prices continue to skyrocket, 25% of pet parents shared they switched to more affordable pet foods or found more affordable pet care in order to reduce their spending. Despite this, pet parents are still prioritizing quality when it comes to their pet product purchases with 68% seeking out products that are similar in quality to their own and 20% seeking out higher quality products.

Though price remains a large concern for US pet owners, 34% admitted that pet spending is one of the last categories they would cut if their budget was tight. In fact, 33% have reduced spending in other categories, including groceries and entertainment, to ensure they could continue to afford their pets’ products. 

Up north

In addition to surveying US pet owners, Rover also surveyed Canadian pet owners, as tariffs threaten to derail their budgets as well. 

Lifetime costs of owning dogs and cats for these consumers are substantially higher than in the United States, with cat parents spending up to $73,585 and dog parents spending up to $53,935 during the course of their pet’s life. Additionally, yearly pet spending ranges from $930 to $2,400 for cats and $965 to $4,020 for dogs, with food and treats accounting for the biggest expense for pet owners. Rover estimates that dog parents could expect costs to increase 18% and cat parents could expect costs to rise 41% this year compared to 2024. 

As tariff threats continue to mount, more than half (55%) of Canadian pet owners are opting for Canada-made pet brands or locally sourced products, even if they carry a higher cost. This sentiment is particularly strong amongst dog owners, with 57% opting for Canadian products, compared to cat owners, with 52% opting for Canadian products. Regarding pet food purchasing, 47% of total pet parents prioritize Canadian brands or locally sourced products, with 49% of dog parents and 44% of cat parents opting for Canadian products. 

With inflation expected to continue and tariffs up in the air, prices for pet products will undoubtedly continue an upward trajectory, forcing pet parents to make tough budgeting decisions. 

Read more from Rover’s True Cost of Pet Parenthood Report 2025. 

Stay up to date on the latest pet food processing industry headlines on our News page.