Wagging tails, wet kisses, and big, beautiful puppy dog eyes—is there anything not to love about bringing home a brand-new puppy? Well, kinda: the cost to own a puppy in Los Angeles!
Living in LA is super expensive as it is, but if you throw in a little bundle of fur to fund, you’ll be paying that much more. From kibble to vet bills, training to toys, those costs start adding up fast, and unless your landlord is willing to accept rent in the form of cute Instagram pics of your new pooch, you’ll need to budget before you bring home your new good girl or boy.
Before you bust out the calculators and start crunching the numbers, your pals at Pawsitive K9 Solutions have already done the legwork for you. Today, we’re going in-depth to determine just how much it costs to own a puppy in Los Angeles.
Let’s start to tally up the costs!
Initial Cost to Own a Puppy in Los Angeles
Before you can get to the puppy snuggles and playtime, you will have to part with some moolah upfront to get a puppy in the first place. So, we’ll start by breaking down the initial one-time costs associated with adopting your new best friend.
Adoption Fees vs. Breeder Costs
There’s certainly no shortage of high-end breeders boasting perfect pedigrees in LA, but going to a breeder is a double-edged sword. Sure, you’ll get the breed you’re looking for, which gives you an idea of your puppy’s future adult size and general temperament, but you’ll likely part with between $1,000 and upwards of $5,000 depending on the breed, its rarity, and the demand.
On the other hand, going to a rescue or shelter is considerably less expensive, running between $75 and $300 on average. Plus, you’re bringing home a needy pooch, which is a tail-wagging win in our book!
Essential Supplies for Your Puppy
Whether you buy from a breeder or bring home a shelter pup, you’ll need to shell out for some stuff before bringing them home. You don’t need to grab the products with all the bells and whistles, but you’ll at least need the following:
- Crate & Bed: $50–$150
- Leash & Collar: $20–$50
- Food & Water Bowls: $15–$40
- Puppy Food (First Bag): $15–$80
- Toys & Chews: $20–$50
- Grooming Supplies: $25–$60
- Potty Training Pads/Cleaners: $20–$40
Total it up, and you’re looking at another two hundred for your new hound. Thankfully, most of that is a one-time cost, and you can look for budget-friendly options at your local pet retailer. However, we strongly advise getting something in each of the above categories. After all, it’s a paw-sitive investment in your pup’s comfort and training!
First Vet Visit Expenses
Once you have your puppy at home, you’ll want to set up the first vet visit and prepare for a few more in the first few weeks of your puppy’s lifetime. Here’s a quick rundown of what to expect in the beginning:
- First round of vaccinations: $75–$150
- Microchipping: $30–$60
- Spay/Neuter: $150–$500
As they say, health comes first, so don’t skimp to save some coin here. Investing in your pup’s health ensures they live a long and healthy life, so getting them seen by a vet, vaccinated, and provided regular check-ups afterward is worth the cost.
Monthly Expenses of Puppy Ownership
Whew! Adopting a puppy is a lot upfront, but the hits don’t stop there. After you finish paying for all the upfront stuff for your special pup, you’ll be in for some monthly expenses. Let’s go over the basics.
Food and Treat Costs in LA
Once upon a time, you could walk into a store, grab a bag of chow for the mutt, and call it a day. Things sure have changed since then because now you have to navigate aisles upon aisles of food, each varying in quality, ingredients, and price.
If you’re having trouble determining what to feed your puppy, ask your local pet community, including retailers, veterinarians, breeders, and us at Pawsitive K9 Solutions. We love helping out our pet parents! Then, expect to pay between $30 and $100 monthly for the food.
Don’t forget the treats, either! Treats are great for showing affection but are crucial for reinforcing good behaviors during training. Again, don’t be afraid to ask if you’re unsure what treats are good. Depending on the kind of treats you choose and how many you give out daily, they’ll cost between $10 and $50 monthly.
Regular Vet Check-ups and Medications for Your New Puppy
You’ll be on a first-name basis with the vet in those first few weeks, but even after your pup is fully vaccinated, it’s still advisable to schedule an annual check-up. You’ll also want to give your dog a few medications to protect it from everyday risks like fleas, ticks, and heartworm.
Here’s a quick breakdown of those costs:
- Annual check-ups: $100–$500 once a year
- Flea & tick prevention: $15–$40 per month
- Heartworm prevention: $10–$30 per month
- Occasional vet visits (minor issues): $50+ as needed
On average, expect to budget $50–$120 per month for preventative care. Keeping up with these expenses can help avoid bigger (and pricier) health problems later!
Cost of Puppy Grooming Services and Supplies
We’re known to look our best daily here in LA, but keeping your pooch paparazzi-ready comes at a cost. Thankfully, you can mitigate that cost by investing in shampoo, brushes, combs, and clippers and grooming your pooch at home.
Some breeds require a little more TLC than others, though; I’m looking at you, Poodles, and Shih Tzus—so you may want to budget for a monthly trip to the professional groomer. Depending on how many treatments your posh pup will get during your visit, you’ll likely pay between $50 and $200 for services in LA.
Puppy Training Costs with a Professional LA Dog Trainer
Training is our wheelhouse here at Pawsitive K9 Solutions. We offer a variety of training types to offer the best pet training services in Los Angeles and the surrounding area. Not only do the classes and types of training differ, but so do the costs!
Group Classes vs. Private Dog Training
Every pup has its own training needs. Some dogs thrive in a group setting where socialization and performing commands in a distraction-rich environment are essential, while others may need a little one-on-one time before they get there.
Pawsitive K9 Solutions offers both group and private training options, so you can find the format that best suits your furry best friend and get them up to speed quickly!
Puppy Socialization and Behavioral Training
As pet professionals, your pals at Pawsitive K9 Solutions know that training isn’t just about party tricks. Most of our activities involve socialization and helping your dog gain confidence to stay safe and well-behaved in various settings. One of the best ways we help you socialize your puppy is with our Puppy Day School!
The key window for socialization closes around 16 weeks of age, so timing is crucial here. For that reason, we invite you to contact us now for a consultation. Our consultations are free and will provide you with the insight you need to make the best, most well-informed choice for your pooch.
Investing in early training can prevent future problems (and save your shoes from being a chew toy!). Whether you’re looking for basic obedience or advanced behavioral help, Pawsitive K9 Solutions is ready to guide you and your pup every step of the way.
Is Owning a Puppy in Los Angeles Worth the Cost?
We get it; it’s hard to stay excited about the prospect of owning a puppy when renting here in LA already costs so much. Add up everything we covered above, and you’re looking at a few hundred dollars each month to feed and care for your puppy.
Is it really worth it to own a puppy? Oh, heck yeah!
What’s better than having a lovable bundle of fluff that wags its tail when you walk through the door and snuggles up to you every chance it gets? Is there anything better than getting a heaping helping of puppy kisses after a long, hard day at work?
We don’t think so, so we wholeheartedly recommend getting a pup as long as you can responsibly do so. It takes time and money to provide a safe and stable environment where they’ll live a happy and healthy life, but if you can afford it, we fully believe it’s one of life’s greatest gifts.
Once you bring home that beautiful pup, call us here at Pawsitive K9 Solutions! We’d love to get them started on their training journey as soon as possible so you can make your precious puppy a perfect puppy, too!
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