NJ Among The Most Expensive States To Own A Dog, Study Says

NEW JERSEY — With few exceptions, Americans say their dogs are part of the family, and more than half view them as important as human family members, according to research. And like kids, dogs in New Jersey cost their families a lot of money.

In the Garden State, dog owners spend an estimated $32,947 over a dog’s lifetime to provide everything from essential care and to luxurious indulgences — making it one of the most expensive states to raise a dog.

The math is courtesy of MarketWatch, a publication of The Wall Street Journal, which analyzed the lifetime cost of adding a dog to the family — about $28,800 nationally — across 11 metrics, including veterinary care, dog food and supplies, grooming, pet insurance and boarding costs.

In New Jersey and 12 other states, the cost of owning a dog is more than $30,000. In California, the lifetime cost of owning a Labrador retriever amounts to nearly $35,500 — more than the price of a Tesla Model 3 after tax credits. The same dog would cost $24,855 over the pet’s lifetime in Oklahoma, where dog ownership costs are about 14 percent below the national average.

A couple of caveats: Costs vary by breeds — the MarketWatch team looked at the costs of owning a Labrador retriever, Americans’ favorite dog. Also, the higher the cost of living, the higher the cost of owning a dog. Of the 15 most expensive states to own a dog, all but one are located on the West Coast or in the Northeast (read more on the methodology here).

New Jersey is the 4th most expensive state to own a larger-breed dog, according to MarketWatch. Here’s how it breaks down:

• Puppy cost: $1,129 (cost assumes the dog was acquired as a puppy that the owner has pet insurance and includes vaccines; spay or neuter operations, preventative medicine for heartworms, fleas and ticks; and general supplies)
• Annual cost: $2,893
• Lifetime cost: $32,947

MarketWatch said puppy care costs Americans an average of $199 for vaccines; $298 for spay or neuter operations; $184 for preventative medicine (heartworms, ticks, fleas, etc.); and $356 for general supplies, including leashes, bowls, crates and pet beds.

The analysis also showed Americans spend about $2,524 a year in recurring pet costs. That includes an average of $447 for pet food, $221 for toys and treats, $681 for boarding costs (assuming 15 days a year), $193 for grooming; $510 for pet insurance; $65 for an annual vet checkup; and $407 for emergency veterinary care.