Model review, 14 October 2026: the examples below now come directly from the current calculator. They replace older incomplete totals and unsupported national rankings. Underlying price inputs are illustrative starting assumptions, not measured current market ranges; internal agreement is not market validation.
Start a first-pet budget with the animal’s acquisition fee, procedures already included, supplies and a full year of planned care. Keep the first-year figure separate from the ongoing monthly amount; they answer different questions.
Ready to enter your own quotes? Build your dog or cat budget in the calculator. For a breed-specific starting point, use the Toy Poodle budget, Miniature Poodle budget or Abyssinian cat budget. The two Poodle profiles can also be compared under the same settings; those default examples do not carry edits from a separate calculator.
Current calculator examples
AUD · VIC · breeder purchase · mid-range spending · insurance included · professional grooming allocation · basic training for dogs, indoor living for cats · no boarding, walking or daycare. Reserve: $0, separate from spending. These are model scenarios, not verified national prices or individual quotes.
Swipe the table sideways if needed. Monthly figures spread ongoing spending over 12 months; first-year setup is separate.
| Breed | Monthly ongoing | First year | Annual ongoing | Lifetime spending |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Toy Poodle | $212 | $8,156 | $2,538 | $46,226 |
| Labrador Retriever | $286 | $8,475 | $3,432 | $46,227 |
| Domestic Shorthair | $168 | $2,797 | $2,014 | $30,993 |
| Ragdoll | $229 | $6,477 | $2,744 | $44,893 |
Lifetime spending uses each profile's rounded midpoint lifespan at constant prices, without inflation or age-related premium changes. Unexpected treatment and dental procedures are excluded; no health-probability allowance is added. A reserve is money set aside, shown separately in the calculator.
Generated from the same inputs and engine as the calculator, so these examples update with the model. Inspect sources and assumptions or edit your own scenario.
Confirm Acquisition and Procedures
Get the actual purchase or adoption fee and written inclusions. In the calculator, adoption starts with desexing, microchipping and initial vaccination included. Uncheck each item payable separately, then enter its quote in the first-year breakdown. Included procedures stay at zero even if an older custom amount exists, preventing double-counting.
Separate Fee Periods
Registration has once-only and annual rows. Use zero for amounts already paid or not applicable. NSW standard initial fees are distinct from any applicable annual permit; concessions and exemptions can differ. Other state defaults remain unverified benchmarks, so use your actual authority’s fees and payment period. See the registration guide.
List Supplies and Recurring Care
Check what you already own and compare suitable equipment rather than buying every item on a list. Starter supplies and ongoing replacement toys are separate: the current model starts replacements from year two. Agree care and feeding plans with appropriate professionals and use provider quotes for the services you plan to buy.
Plan a Reserve Without Calling It Spending
Unexpected treatment and dental procedures are excluded from spending estimates. You can enter an optional annual reserve from year one; its contributions appear separately and do not change spending totals or the chart. It is not a recommended medical amount, a predicted bill or a guarantee that an emergency is covered.
Check the Remaining Gaps
Travel, home modifications, property damage and end-of-life arrangements may sit outside the calculator. Use the hidden-cost checklist and insurance guide. A current quote and actual eligibility matter more than a national average.