Fur-Real Costs: Pet Care By The Numbers

They chew, they purr, they wag—and they come with a price tag!

When it comes to our furry family members, no expense feels too big—until it does…

Here in Massachusetts, pet owners spend an average of over $4,000 a year on dogs, with cats not far behind. Add emergency vet bills and surprise expenses, and the costs can skyrocket. Nearly 1 in 10 pet owners carry pet-related debt, often more than $2,000, just to cover medical care or supplies. Yet most say it’s worth it—because they'd do anything for their pets.

That’s where Helping Hands steps in. 

We understand pet care costs—and the challenges they can bring. Pets are family, and we work to ease the burden so no one has to choose between financial stress and a healthy, happy pet.

Fur-Real Facts!

From kibble to vet visits, the true cost of pet care may surprise you. These are real numbers we see every day—bills we’ve helped pay and food costs we encounter when stocking our pet food pantries.

Average Pet Food Costs (Per Year):

Dog owners typically spend $1,400+ on food and treats and cat owners spend about $1,000. That adds up fast for pet owners—and that’s just food!

Here’s a look at how we stretch every dollar to help feed local pets in need. By buying in bulk and repackaging, we provide healthy food at a fraction of the retail cost. 

 Our Weekly Pet Food Pantry Purchase:

$270 buys 282 lbs of dry dog food, broken into 5 lb bags—enough to feed 56 dogs!

$210 buys 260 lbs of dry cat food, repackaged into 5 lb bags—enough to feed 52 cats!

This approach saves 91¢ per pound for dogs and $1.13 per pound for cats, making every donation go further.

More Eye-Opening Averages:

First-year costs: About $8,000 for dogs and $3,000 for cats.

Lifetime costs: $15,000–$40,000, depending on breed and health.

Routine vet visits: $1,500+ for dogs and $900+ for cats per year.

Emergency vet visits: $800–$1,500, with some surgeries reaching $10,000+!

Skipped care: 52% of pet owners have delayed or declined vet care due to cost.

Pet insurance: Less than 4% of pet owners have coverage—most face these bills alone.

Knowing the real numbers helps us prepare and stretch our impact—because every dollar spent with care goes further. And every dollar you give helps close that gap: feeding pets, supporting pet owners, and keeping them together.

 Your donation today could fill a bowl, fund a vet visit, or keep a beloved pet at home where they belong.

Pawsome Partner: The Market at Pinehills

At Helping Hands, we know we can’t do this meaningful work alone. Local businesses make a huge difference—providing resources, raising awareness, and helping our events succeed. Their support proves that when the community comes together, no pet gets left behind.

We are especially grateful to The Market at the Pinehills, where donation cans at every register, foyer collections, and their ongoing contributions help fuel our events and keep our pet food pantries stocked.

A heartfelt thank-you to Leslie Romano, Senior Store Manager, for her kindness, compassion, and dedication to local pets. The Pinehills community has truly embraced our mission, making a lasting impact on pets and the people who love them.

Happy Tails Ahead

Pet care can be expensive, but resources like low-cost veterinary care, community food drives, and strong partnerships help ease the burden. Together—Helping Hands, our partners, and you—we make sure pet owners never have to choose between financial stress and the care their pets deserve. 

Because when a community comes together, pets stay fed, healthy, and loved.