Dogs are a joy to live with, bringing us a lot of enjoyment and companionship. Business
Insider reports that the benefits of owning dogs include greater general health and
wellbeing, as well as better mental health and removes feelings of loneliness. But
although we love to live with them, providing dogs with the best possible care may be
costlier than one might expect—especially in the Magnolia State.

If you live in Mississippi, here’s how much it costs to care for a dog in 2022.

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First year expenses

You can expect your initial expenses to be relatively larger than your ongoing expenses. For example, adoption fees can vary depending on whether you’re adopting from a breeder or from a shelter like Mississippi Animal Rescue League. Adoption fees at shelters are normally around $125 in Mississippi.

Adopting from shelters could also save you money for initial veterinary costs, as some of them might have already received initial medical care that constitutes one-time expenses. Spaying or neutering can cost between $50 and $500, while initial vaccines may cost between $50 and $100. Mississippi Spay & Neuter provides low-cost spay/neuter and wellness services if cost at a for-profit veterinarian is prohibitive. Dog licenses in Mississippi can vary per locality, ranging from $15 to $30. Other expenses you should look into include home supplies, such as, beds, collars and leashes, and dog bowls.

Each of the aforementioned costs will vary depending on the type of dog you have, what procedures you get done, and the quality of the things that you buy for your new pet. You’ll also have to take into account the regular expenses that come in the first year of owning a dog. This includes food, routine medical costs, and grooming supplies.

All in all, the ASPCA estimates that the first year of owning a dog will  cost approximately $3,200.

Ongoing expenses

As steep as your first-year expenses may sound, your bills won’t always look so bad. According to Sound Dollar’s article on the annual cost of owning a dog, your yearly expenses will range from $1,000 to $1,500 no matter which state you reside in. Annual expenses for your dog include food, toys, equipment, grooming, veterinary care, and preventative medications. Expenses for these may vary according to your dog’s breed, size, and health. You may also have to account for fees for services like dog walking, sitting, and boarding. The price and frequency of these expenses, on the other hand, would depend on your lifestyle and activities.

You might also encounter unexpected costs such as emergencies, illnesses, and other ailments that might necessitate surgery or treatment. Emergency hospital trips for your dogs may cost anywhere between $1,000 and $5,000, while surgeries can cost $5,000 to over $10,000. To curb these expenses, some owners look to get pet insurance, which they pay for on a yearly or monthly basis. There are also services like Pawp which provide virtual vet care and an emergency fund for your furry friend.

In Mississippi, you might also need to invest in treatments and equipment that can prepare your dog for hot weather. The Humane Society states that dogs in the summer heat can become dehydrated, damage their organs or even get heat stroke. Some expenses you might need to combat this include deworming medications, heartworm prevention, flea and tick products, and even portable food and water bowls.


If you want to create a good home for the dogs you’re going to adopt, then you have to know what you’re walking into. While these figures may vary according to providers you’re getting services from or the retailers you’re buying supplies from, everything that we’ve listed in this article is a rough estimate of what to expect. It’s a lot, but when you do decide to embrace the love and positivity that a dog can bring into your life, these expenses will be well worth it.

Article contributed by Ressie Johns

Exclusively for Mississippi Spay & Neuter