7 Pet Care Costs

Premium pet food for one year

-- Average cat: $102 to $203.

-- Small dog: $96 to $192.

-- Medium dog: $188 to $225.

-- Large dog: $260 to $276.

Food treats

-- Dogs: $64.

-- Cats: $37.

Sources: Iams pet food and a 2008 consumer survey by the American Pet Products Association.

The fine print: Premium food promotes better digestion and a healthier pet, according to Iams and animal advocacy groups such as Born Free USA. These advocates say that cheaper foods contain fillers your pet can't digest. That leads to more, ahem, waste.

Veterinary care for one year

-- Per dog: average $200 (AVMA).

-- Routine care (vaccines and well visits): $225 (APPA).

-- Average annual cost of surgical visits when needed: $532 (APPA).

-- Per cat: average $81 (AVMA). -- Routine care: $203 (APPA).

-- Surgical visits when needed: $278 (APPA).

Want a cheap pet? Try a bird at $9 per year.

Sources: American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) and American Pet Products Association (APPA).

The fine print: The AVMA's vet care costs include physical exams, emergency care, dental care, grooming, boarding, drugs, food, flea and tick products. APPA numbers, based on consumer responses, included vet care only, separated into routine visits and medical/surgical care.

Taking care of Fido and Fluffy when you can't

-- Overnight boarding dogs: $14 to $39 (and more) per night.

-- Overnight boarding cats: $9 to $15 (and more) per night.

-- Doggie daycare: $12 per day. Add more for play sessions.

-- Pet sitting: $16 for a half-hour visit to include feeding, potty breaks, medicine if needed, love and attention. Additional walks $5 per 15 minutes.

Per year averages

-- Cats: $255.

-- Dogs: $273.

Sources: Stone Henge Kennels and Williamsburg Pet Resort, Williamsburg, Va.; Lucky Dog Enterprises, Colorado Springs, Colo.; American Pet Products Association.

The fine print: Boarding prices will vary by region, time of year and by the size of the dog. Some kennels offer a discount for the second dog in the family. Any facility that describes itself as a resort might be more costly.