Every AusCostGuides guide is about one thing: what it really costs to own and care for a pet in Australia. Pick a category to see every guide in it.
Want a number for your own pet? Try our free pet cost calculators, or check whether a quote you have been given is fair.
What you will find here
Each guide covers one pet or one pet service, with typical Australian price ranges, a state-by-state table, what pushes the price up or down, and how to get a fair deal. The figures are checked against current Australian sources and updated as prices change.
A few examples of what the guides cover:
- Vet care: a standard consult is usually $80 to $110, while an after-hours emergency consult is often $200 to $500 before any treatment starts.
- Grooming: from about $50 for a basic wash on a small dog to $150 to $200 for a full groom on a large or doodle breed.
- Pet insurance: typically $35 to $80 a month for dogs and $20 to $50 for cats, rising as your pet gets older.
- Owning a pet: dogs usually run $2,000 to $4,500 a year, cats $1,500 to $3,500, and many reptiles, frogs and birds far less once they are set up.
Who uses these guides?
People thinking about getting a pet and wanting to know the real yearly cost first. New puppy and kitten owners working out the first-year bills. Owners who have just been handed a vet or grooming quote and want to know if it is normal. And anyone planning a trip and comparing kennels, catteries and pet sitters.
How to use this site
Start with the category for your pet, or jump straight to the service you are pricing, such as vet care, grooming or boarding. Every guide links to related guides and, where we have one, a calculator so you can plug in your own pet and location.