Pets are like children to many Americans -- here's how much pet owners spend on average each month

Matthew Michaels

May 14, 2018, 1:47 AM

maplegirlie/FlickrDogs are not the most expensive pet to care for.

Pet owners spend an average of $US126.19 every month on their furry friends, according to a recent survey.
Dogs are more costly than cats, but canines are not the most expensive pets.
Fish are the cheapest pets; fish owners spend $US62.53 a month on their aquatic friends.

Pets are often part of the family, and animal lovers certainly have to pay to take care of them.

Americans spend an average of $US126.19 every month on their pets, according to a recent survey of over 1,000 pet owners. That’s a lot of dog bones and kitty litter.

But the cost of pet ownership varies depending on the type of animal you have. The American Veterinary Medical Association found that 36.5% of US households own dogs and 30.4% have cats. Dog owners also spend more money than cats, who are apparently low maintenance.

See how much it costs to take care of a pet every month, ranked from least to most expensive.