Adding up 7 costs of owning a pet

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).

How about getting a feathered friend, which can be cheaper? The annual costs of owning a bird can tally about $200, according to the ASPCA, and about $85 of that goes to annual veterinary costs.

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. ASPCA numbers include an exam, vaccinations and relevant preventive medicine.