Here's How Much It Costs To Own A Dog In PA

Here's How Much It Costs To Own A Dog In PA Of the 15 most expensive states to own a dog, all but one are located on the West Coast or in the Northeast.

PENNSYLVANIA — With few exceptions, Americans say their dogs are part of the family , and more than half view them as important as human family members, according to research. And like kids, dogs in Pennsylvania cost their families a lot of money.

In Pennsylvania, dog owners spend an estimated $28,913 over a dog's lifetime to provide everything from essential care and to luxurious indulgences.

The math is courtesy of MarketWatch, a publication of The Wall Street Journal, which analyzed the lifetime cost of adding a dog to the family — about $28,800 nationally — across 11 metrics, including veterinary care, dog food and supplies, grooming, pet insurance and boarding costs.

In 13 states, the cost of owning a dog is more than $30,000 or more. In California, the lifetime cost of owning a Labrador retriever amounts to nearly $35,500 — more than the price of a Tesla Model 3 after tax credits. The same dog would cost $24,855 over the pet's lifetime in Oklahoma, where dog ownership costs are about 14 percent below the national average.

A couple of caveats: Costs vary by breeds — the MarketWatch team looked at the costs of owning a Labrador retriever, Americans' favorite dog. Also, the higher the cost of living, the higher the cost of owning a dog. Of the 15 most expensive states to own a dog, all but one are located on the West Coast or in the Northeast (read more on the methodology here ).

Pennsylvania is the 18th most expensive state to own a larger-breed dog, according to MarketWatch. Here's how it breaks down:

Puppy cost: $1,064 (cost assumes the dog was acquired as a puppy that the owner has pet insurance and includes vaccines; spay or neuter operations, preventative medicine for heartworms, fleas and ticks; and general supplies)

Annual cost: $2,532

Lifetime cost: $28,913

MarketWatch said puppy care costs Americans an average of $199 for vaccines; $298 for spay or neuter operations; $184 for preventative medicine (heartworms, ticks, fleas, etc.); and $356 for general supplies, including leashes, bowls, crates and pet beds.

The analysis also showed Americans spend about $2,524 a year in recurring pet costs. That includes an average of $447 for pet food, $221 for toys and treats, $681 for boarding costs (assuming 15 days a year), $193 for grooming; $510 for pet insurance; $65 for an annual vet checkup; and $407 for emergency veterinary care.