Pets create such joy that it is well worth their cost and upkeep. For 2007, we spent over $40 BILLION dollars on our pets…$16 billion for food, $10 billion on vet care, $10 billion on supplies and OTC medicine, $1 billion on live animal purchases and $3 billion on pet services—grooming and boarding according to the 2007-2008 National Pet Owners Survey by the APPMA.

The average  life expectancy of pets is getting longer—dogs depending on the breed can live 7 to 16 years, cats 12 to 18 years, parrots 50 to 60 years, cockatiels 15 to 20 years, ball pythons 40 years, bearded dragons 4 to 10 years, geckos up to 20 years,  corn snakes 20 years, guinea pigs 5 to 7 years, parakeets 15 to 18 years, zebra finches 5 to 10 years, and fish vary from goldfish which can live up to 15 years, to freshwater fish that average about 1 to 3 years, to saltwater fish that average 2 to 4 years.  Angelfish, lionfish, eels, groupers, and clownfish can live 10 years or more.

After initial start up costs, without surgery, the cost for a dog  is around $500 - $1500 --$500 for small, $1000 for medium, $1500 for large-- a year and a cat $600.

Emergency vet care for a dog is likely to run $250 and for a cat $150…or considerably more depending on what is wrong. Annual vet care is $150 – $200.

A snake/reptile  can cost $200+ a year plus electric (heat lamps) of another $200-300. Vet  care varies but can run $40/yr. or more.

Bird care  for large birds can run from $1000 to $1700 a year. Annual vet care is around $100-250 with emergency care between $350 and $2000. Small birds run about $120 a year.

Fish cost about $35 a year, small mammals around $300. a guinea pig around $550, a rabbit around $700.

Regardless of your pet, the health of your pet is worth protecting.   Good care of your pet can save you on vet bills.