Tucker's Monthly Pet Budget (Every Dollar, 12 Months)
$347/month average across 12 months. The veterinary category was the surprise — planned for $50/month, averaged $83/month.
The Full Budget
Tucker tracked every pet-related expenditure for 12 months: food ($87/month average via Chewy AutoShip), treats and supplements ($22/month), veterinary care ($83/month average — planned $50, actual $83 due to annual exam, dental cleaning, and one unplanned visit), grooming ($31/month), product evaluation purchases for review purposes ($65/month — not typical for most owners), toys and enrichment ($18/month), insurance ($27/month). Total: approximately $333/month excluding review purchases, $347/month including them.
The Veterinary Surprise
Tucker budgeted $50/month for veterinary care based on annual exam cost divided by 12. The actual average was $83/month due to: annual exam ($185), dental cleaning under anesthesia ($420), one unplanned visit for a paw injury ($175). The annual dental cleaning alone added $35/month to the average. Tucker had not factored dental cleaning into his planning. Tucker recommends budgeting $75-100/month for veterinary care for a healthy adult dog — not $50.
The AutoShip Difference
Tucker's food category ($87/month) benefits from Chewy AutoShip discount of approximately 5% on regular orders. Without AutoShip, the equivalent product at retail price would cost approximately $96/month. The $9/month savings is not dramatic. The consistency — never running out of food unexpectedly, never making emergency retail purchases at higher prices — is the primary value Tucker assigns to AutoShip for the food category.
What Tucker Would Tell a New Dog Owner
Budget $100-150/month for food and consumables. Budget $75-100/month for veterinary care — not $50. Budget $20-30/month for enrichment product maintenance. Budget $25-50/month for grooming depending on breed. The total realistic budget for a medium-to-large dog in 2026 in the US is $250-400/month depending on insurance, region, and product choices. Tucker's actual average is consistent with this range.