The True Cost of Owning a Pet in Singapore: What Every Pet Parent Should Know

Plus an interactive tool to help you plan ahead with PawketPlace’s Pet Cost Calculator

Bringing a pet into your life is a deeply rewarding experience but it’s also a serious financial commitment. Too often, the true cost of pet ownership is underestimated, leading to tough decisions and even pet abandonment when unexpected bills arise.

At PawketPlace, we believe that being a great pet parent starts with being prepared. This is why we created the Pet Cost Calculator, a simple and interactive way to estimate your total pet expenses so you can plan confidently for every stage of their life.

But first, let’s break down the real cost of pet ownership in Singapore.

1. Adoption vs Buying: What's the Real Price?
Whether you adopt or buy, your pet’s journey starts with an upfront cost:

Adoption (Shelters like SPCA) Includes: Vaccinations, sterilisation, deworming and microchipping- making this the most budget-conscious choice

Dogs: S$70–S$400
Cats: S$25–S$200

Purchase (Breeders & Pet Shops)Prices can vary dramatically depending on breed, lineage, and rarity

Dogs: S$800–S$13,900
Cats: S$1,500–S$12,000

2. Pet Licensing Fees in Singapore

All dogs (and from September 2026, cats) must be licensed in Singapore:

Annual Licensing (Current):

Sterilized pets: S$15/year
Unsterilized pets: S$90/year

Upcoming Change (1 Sept 2026):

Lifetime License for sterilized pets: S$35

3. Veterinary Costs: Routine to Emergency

Regular vet visits are non-negotiable for your pet’s health. Regular check-ups can help detect issues early and prevent costlier emergencies later on.

Routine Care:

• Consultations: S$40–S$120
• Vaccinations: Initial S$100–S$200 | Annual boosters S$50–S$100

Common Treatments:

• Deworming: S$5.80–S$15
• Microchipping: S$70
• Spaying/Neutering: S$350–S$600

Emergency & Specialized Care:

• Emergency Consult: S$180–S$262.50
• Specialist Consult: S$200–S$300
• Surgery: S$2,000+

4. What Does Pet Food Really Cost Each Month?

The cost of feeding your pet depends on their size, health, and dietary needs. Premium food, raw diets, or special medical formulas can cost more.

Monthly Average: S$100–S$150
Annually: S$1,200–S$1,800

5. Grooming Needs & Breed-Specific Costs

Some pets need more grooming than others, especially long-haired breeds. Depending on breed, you might need grooming every 4–8 weeks:

Dogs:

• Basic Grooming: S$50–S$70
• Full Grooming: S$90–S$150

Cats:

• Basic Grooming: S$80–S$120
• Full Grooming: S$100–S$180

6. Ongoing Wellness & Preventive Care

Prevention is always better than cure. A good wellness routine helps you avoid surprise expenses and ensures your pet lives a longer, healthier life. These are often-overlooked costs:

Annual Health Screening/ Semi-annual Health Screening for Elder Pet: S$200–S$400

Dental Cleaning : S$340+

Preventive Medications (Ticks, Fleas, Heartworm): S$100–S$300/year

Pain management/Arthritis Medication for Elder Pet: S$50-S$150/month

Mobility aids or special diets: Varies

7. Emergency Fund Planning
Emergencies are unpredictable and are part of pet parenting and without a financial buffer, these moments can turn into heart-wrenching decisions. 

Assuming:

• No major incident every year, but spreads out the cost over time
• Allows for unexpected minor emergencies
• Builds up to a S$3,000 buffer over 5–10 years, which is ideal for major surgeries or elder life care

Recommended Savings (Annual Allocation)

Pet below 8 years: S$300-S$600/year

Elder Pets (8+ years): S$900–S$1000/year
 

Emergency Fund Recommendation:
Experts suggest setting aside S$1,000–S$3,000 as an emergency fund for urgent treatments, overnight hospitalization, or unexpected surgeries.

Example Emergency Costs:

• Overnight hospitalization: S$500–S$1,200/night
• Major surgery (e.g. foreign body removal): S$2,000–S$5,000
• Intensive care or life-saving treatment: S$3,000+

As your pet ages, costs often rise not just medically, but emotionally too. Building your emergency fund gradually and planning ahead avoids having to choose between your savings and their survival.

💡 On PawketPlace, your Pet Pennies dashboard helps you estimate and track your emergency fund goal so you can stop guessing and start planning with clarity.

Stay Updated:

Join our community on Telegram (@PawketPlace) for early access to blog updates, cost-saving tips, wellness reminders, and real conversations with fellow pet parents in Singapore.