The joy of getting your own pet is boundless. There is nothing like finally bringing home your furry family member, getting them comfortable in your home, playing and cuddling with them, looking into their eyes, and seeing all that bottomless love for you. However, while that might be true, given that we live in the real world, having a pet also brings with it its own expenses.
The Indian pet market is actually booming these days, with a Kotak Securities 2024 report claiming that it’s valued at an impressive Rs. 5,000 crore, and expected to cross Rs. 10,000 crore by 2028.
This could be due to the surge in pet ownership that reached 30 million in 2023, an increase from 2015’s 20 million. Overall, there are around 100 million pets, as per a March 2025 Mint report.
Here, though, we take a look at the expected and unexpected costs that pet owners in India should be aware of.
Getting The Pet
While adopting is in trend and encouraged these days, that does not mean people have stopped buying exotic or pedigree breeds. A pedigree breed could cost between Rs. 5,000 and Rs. 1,50,000, even more in case of certain breeds.
Veterinarian Dr Vrushali Jadhav also stated that “There is a cost of acquisition, which could be approximately Rs 25,000. Of course, we’re not talking about exotic breeds.”
Food
Food is another major expense for pet owners, with standard dog or cat food costing between Rs. 1,500 to Rs. 5,000 a month. Things like brand, pet size, allergies, and nutritional requirements could also affect the cost.
Additional costs could come from treats, specialty foods (such as cakes and cupcakes), and nutritional or vitamin supplements. Pet owners also need to keep a range of food items, including dry foods, chewing bones, wet foods, and more.
“Veterinary-prescribed or premium dog or cat food” as per a FE report can cost between Rs. 3,000 to Rs. 7,000.
Medical Care
According to reports, medical emergencies and veterinary care could cost anywhere between a few thousand rupees to even lakhs, depending on the severity of the situation.
A Financial Express report estimates that standard vaccinations, which protect the pet from common diseases, can cost between Rs. 2,000 to Rs. 4,000 per year.
Some of these might even require multiple visits or booster shots spread over the year. Procedures like deworming and parasite prevention, to protect the pet from ticks, fleas, worms, and more, could range between Rs. 200 to Rs. 600 per month.
Spaying and neutering, although a one-time cost, is also expensive, ranging between Rs. 2,000 to Rs. 10,00 depending on the vet and location.
Beside this there are the medical prodecures on the more expensive side such as intestinal obstruction if the pet eats something wrong, heart problems, stones or kidney disease, asthma, and more that due to needing specialised vet services, surgeries, hospitalization and further treatment (physical therapy in some cases) can range from Rs. 10,000 to even crossing the Rs, 1,00,000 mark.
Pet Insurance
Just like you would take insurance for a human being, pet insurance is also in demand these days. As per a 2024 NDTV report, Harshvardhan Roongta, of Roongta Securities, said that “Pet insurance is in its nascent stages in India. The coverage can be limited, with premiums varying based on the pet’s breed and age.”
Pet insurance can be beneficial as it could cover hospitalisations, accidents, tick treatment, vaccination, surgery, OPD cover, and lost or stolen pets. Veterinarian Dr Vrushali Jadhav, however, cautioned that many of these insurance plans might not cover procedures like spaying and neutering, dental treatments, and some specific surgeries.
It has also been advised to set up an emergency fund for your pets that could cover additional costs.
Read More: In Pics: The Best Of Pets On Reddit
Basic Supplies
There are some basic supplies you would need with any new pet, such as food and water bowls, blankets, bedding, crate, leash, litter boxes, scratching posts, toys, garbage bags, poop scoopers, pet proofing the home and more. All this could cost one between Rs. 3,000 to Rs. 10,000 based on the quality and name-brand you choose.
In case of working professional pet owners, there are hours and hours when the pet would be left alone at home. In order to prevent boredom or anxiety over being cooped up inside the house, interactive toys and items are required that can range from Rs. 500 to Rs. 1,000 per month.
India Vet Journal’s 2022 study estimated that an initial setup could cost around Rs. 10,000 to Rs. 15,000.
Training Costs
Having a pet could also mean investing in some training and behavioural education. From basic things like toilet training, understanding commands, placing the human owner in command, or handling bigger issues like separation anxiety, aggression, barking, and more, training for pets is something more and more people are paying for.
As per a Financial Express report, a basic obedience training program could cost between Rs. 5,000 to Rs. 15,000. These would include learning “commands, proper manners on-leash, and rules at home”.
The report further added that “specific problem behaviour (aggression, anxiety, and barking), consultations with certified trainers or behaviourists run anywhere from ₹1,000 to ₹2,500 per session.”
Travelling With Pets
A pet boarding place could cost from Rs. 300 to Rs. 1,000 per day, based on size, city, and other amenities, as per sources. In case you cannot leave the pet, and have to travel with them, then the cost of flying with one could range between Rs. 10,000 to Rs. 60,000.
Further, you would also require certain documents such as a fit-to-fly certificate from a veterinarian costing between Rs. 500 to Rs. 1,000, and an IATA-approved crate can range from Rs. 5,000 to Rs. 8,000.
According to reports, international air travel is even more expensive, with transportation, paperwork, and all other factors included, ranging from Rs. 2 to 3 lakhs.
Even something like a dog walker, in case you’re not travelling with your pet, would cost one between Rs. 2,000 to Rs. 6,000 a month, depending on the walker’s experience, professional level, frequency, and more.
Hidden Costs
The hidden costs are actually those that you only realise once you start living with a pet. These can include the repair of damaged furniture, shoes, and clothes that have been chewed on. This is especially the case with puppies, who could go through this phase during teething or even general anxiety or restlessness in your pet.
Apart from that, cleaning supplies like a vacuum, a lint roller, smell removal spray, an air filter, and more would be required, particularly for breeds that shed a lot.
Image Credits: Google Images
Sources: Financial Express, NDTV, India Today
Find the blogger: @chirali_08
This post is tagged under: Pet, indian Pet, indian Pets expenses, indian Pet breeds, indian Pet adoption, indian Pet vaccine, Pet insurance, indian pet medical expenses, pedigree pet, pet supplies, pet training, indian pet training costs, pet care, dog owners, dog owners india
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