Reviewed by Lindsay Floyd, D.V.M.
Our founder, Dr. Lindsay Floyd, recently joined Dr. Jerome Williams of Red Mountain Animal Clinic on WBRC FOX 6’s Good Day Alabama for the station’s series on the true cost of pet ownership. This segment covered what it costs to keep a healthy adult dog or cat. You can watch it below, and we’ve added a few things we’d tell any family who is planning ahead.
Our team members Marissa Lemons and Olivia Swader came along to the studio, and so did Marissa’s 8-year-old French bulldog, Morty, who was a hit on set.
What a healthy adult pet costs in a year
The segment started with the routine items: vaccines, heartworm prevention, flea and tick prevention, food, toys and bedding, and for many families, daycare. For a dog, the guests gave a basic estimate of roughly $3,000 a year. Larger dogs sit at the higher end, and breeds that need regular grooming, like the many doodle mixes, add to the cost.
Cats usually cost less. They are smaller, so they need less food and smaller doses of medication. Fewer cats are groomed, and they need dental cleanings less often than dogs do.
Routine care costs less than the problems it prevents
Keeping up with checkups pays off. Heartworm disease, for example, can cost thousands of dollars to treat, on top of the harm it does to a dog’s long-term health. Vaccines and flea and tick prevention protect against illnesses that are far easier to prevent than to treat.
Plan for the emergencies, too
A budget for a healthy pet does not cover the surprises. The guests named some common ones: allergies, vomiting and diarrhea, and swallowed objects like a tennis ball. They also noted that shelters are taking in more pets because families cannot afford them.
Two suggestions came up. First, look into pet health insurance early, while your pet is young, before pre-existing conditions come into play. Veterinary insurance works differently from human insurance. You usually pay the bill up front and are reimbursed afterward, and some companies reimburse as much as 80 or 90 percent. The guests were not telling anyone to buy insurance. The point was that more families are. Second, keep a safety net of roughly $3,000 to $5,000 for emergencies, so you are not deciding in the exam room whether you can afford to treat your pet.
Dr. Floyd’s point was simple: have a plan before you need one. “You don’t want to have that moment where you’re going, ‘Oh my gosh, do I have the money for this?'”
The bigger picture: costs over a lifetime
The most-cited recent number comes from Synchrony’s 2025 Pet Lifetime of Care study. It puts the cost of caring for a dog over 15 years between $22,125 and $60,602, and for a cat between $20,073 and $47,106. Dog owners in the study expected to spend about $8,000, and cat owners expected under $6,000. Nearly 8 in 10 owners underestimate the real cost.
One note on the source: the study was done on behalf of CareCredit, Synchrony’s pet and vet financing program. We accept CareCredit, so we want you to know that up front.
Why the senior years cost more
The American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) recommends that senior pets see a veterinarian every six months, even when they look healthy. AAHA counts dogs older than 7 and cats older than 10 as seniors. For cats, the American Association of Feline Practitioners goes further and recommends that healthy cats over 15 be examined every four months. More visits mean more cost. Catching a problem early is usually kinder to your pet, and often easier on your budget too.
Dr. Floyd wants Birmingham pet parents to keep one thing in mind: senior pets simply need more. That means more vet visits, prescription diets, medication for conditions like arthritis or kidney disease, and sometimes help getting around the house. None of that should keep anyone from getting a pet, but it belongs in the plan from day one.
Paying for care
We accept CareCredit, which offers financing at 6 months ($200 minimum) or 24 months ($1,000 minimum), subject to CareCredit’s approval and terms. We also accept cash, check, debit and credit cards. See our pricing page for details.
What end-of-life care costs with us
Families should know what to expect before they call, so here are our prices as of October 2026. An in-home euthanasia visit is $400. Aftercare is priced separately: communal cremation is $255, and our private cremation Remembrance Package, which includes a standard urn and clay paw print, is $420. That puts a visit with communal cremation at $655 and a visit with private cremation at $820. Mileage over 20 miles, pets over 100 pounds and holiday visits can add charges. Full details are on our pricing page.
When you are not sure it is time
Most people know us for helping families say goodbye at home. But the hardest part often comes earlier, when you are trying to tell whether your pet still has more good days than bad.
Our first step is a 10-minute call. We listen, ask about your pet’s quality of life and talk through what your family wants. We work with pets who have already been seen by a veterinarian, so we are not a substitute for a vet exam, but we are glad to help you understand what comes next. Read how an in-home pet euthanasia visit works.
We serve the Birmingham area, East Alabama including Anniston, Gadsden and Ohatchee, and West Alabama including Tuscaloosa and Northport. We are available seven days a week, 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Call (205) 267-4466 or reach out online.
You focus on loving them. We’ll handle the rest.
And Morty? He did great.
Quick answers
How much does it cost to own a healthy adult dog each year?
In WBRC FOX 6’s segment, the guests gave a basic estimate of roughly $3,000 a year for a dog. Larger dogs and breeds that need regular grooming cost more.
How much does it cost to own a dog over its lifetime?
Synchrony’s 2025 study puts it between $22,125 and $60,602 over 15 years.
How much does it cost to own a cat over its lifetime?
The same study puts it between $20,073 and $47,106.
How often should a senior pet see the vet?
AAHA recommends every six months for dogs over 7 and cats over 10. The AAFP recommends every four months for healthy cats over 15.
How much does in-home pet euthanasia cost at Compassionate Crossings?
As of October 2026, the visit is $400. Communal cremation is $255 and the private Remembrance Package is $420. Other charges may apply. See the pricing page.
Does Compassionate Crossings accept CareCredit?
Yes. Financing is available at 6 months ($200 minimum) or 24 months ($1,000 minimum), subject to CareCredit’s approval and terms.