Health care ranked top among pet-related expenses. In 2015, the most expensive spending category for both cats and dogs was surgical vet visits. For dogs, kennel boarding was the second most expensive category; for cats, it was food expenses. Dogs are the most expensive pet to care for, costing more in every aspect measured compared to cats. However, the largest discrepancy between dogs and cats was boarding, where the average bill for dog owners was more than 2.5 times that of cat owners.^[iii]

In the aftermath of the recession, families seemed more willing to cut back on eating out than to skimp on food for their pets. Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics show that during and immediately following the 2008-2009 recession, the average annual household spending at restaurants fell significantly, hitting a low in 2010. In contrast, average spending on a pet food stayed roughly flat, suggesting that feeding pets well was considered a priority and not a luxury for many families. [iv]

Pets come with built-in health benefits. The Centers for Disease Control report that pets can decrease blood pressure, cholesterol levels, triglyceride levels, and feelings of loneliness.[V] A recent study published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology found “considerable evidence that pets benefit the lives of their owners, both psychologically and physically, by serving as an important source of social support.” [vi]

---