How much does a dog cost?

Work out the purchase price, food, insurance and vet costs for the first year, the adult years and the senior years. Choose a breed and change anything that doesn't fit you.
Your dog's costs year by year
Select a period in the chart to see what it costs.
Purchase Price
Food
Insurance
Vet care and vaccinations
Supplies and Toys
Grooming
Puppy Classes
Purchase Price
25 000 kr
Food
7 300 kr
Insurance
4 300 kr
Supplies and Toys
3 500 kr
Vet care and vaccinations
2 300 kr
Puppy Classes
2 100 kr
Grooming
200 kr
First-Year Total
44 700 kr
≈ 3 730 kr per Month

What does it cost to own a dog?

The first year costs the most: the purchase price, basic equipment, vaccinations and often a puppy class. After that the cost stays fairly level for several years, then rises again as your dog gets older and needs more vet care.

The first year is the most expensive

Svenska Kennelklubben estimates that a golden retriever in Stockholm costs just over 49,000 kr in the first year in 2026, including a purchase price of 25,000 kr. The rest covers food, insurance, vaccinations, supplies, and health checks. If you select a breed in the calculator, we use the typical current price of puppies of that breed on Get a Pet instead.

Food and insurance every year

For an adult dog, food and insurance account for roughly three-quarters of the cost. Both depend on the dog's size: a large dog eats more and costs more to insure. According to Sveland's Djurägandet 2026 survey, dog owners spend an average of 19,000 kr a year on their dog.

As your dog gets older

Insurance premiums rise as your dog ages, and older dogs need dental care, blood tests, and checkups more often. How long a dog spends in its senior years depends on the breed. Small dogs often live longer than large dogs, so we use the breed's expected lifespan.

Daycare, dog sitters and other extras

Dog daycare and dog sitting can become your biggest single expense if you work full-time away from home. Dog daycare often costs 4,000–6,000 kr a month. Professional grooming, training classes, travel, and unexpected insurance deductibles if your dog gets sick can also add to the total.

How we calculate costs

We use SKK's cost examples for 2026 as a starting point. Food and insurance costs are adjusted to the breed's weight, and grooming costs reflect how much coat care the breed needs. Insurance costs rise by about five percent a year. All figures are estimates rounded to the nearest hundred kronor. Use the Customize Your Budget button to adjust anything that doesn't fit your situation.

More tools for future pet owners

Sources