Pitbulls might have a bad rep due to their bull-baiting past, but for the right owner, they are incredible companions. These dogs are faithful, affectionate, and fearless. If you’re looking for a physically active and fun furry bud to join your family, Pitbulls will be a great choice. Get the doggo from a trusted breeder, socialize it at a young age, and it will turn into a loyal guardian.
Now, Pitbulls come in all shapes and sizes, and, on average, they cost anywhere from $50 to $5,000. That’s quite a wide range! So, join us, and let’s break it down into one-time costs, care supplies, vet visits, food, and insurance prices per month to learn exactly how much money you’ll need to buy and maintain a Pitbull. After that, we’ll share tips on keeping expenses low.
Let’s get to it!
Bringing Home a New Pitbull: One-Time Costs
Pitbulls aren’t exactly cheap, but you won’t have to pay a fortune for them, either. It all depends on the actual breed, its lineage, and whether you’re getting the dog from a shelter or a professional breeder. In any case, be ready to pay a substantial sum in advance to buy the doggo. And don’t forget about the initial setup/supplies!
The list includes tags, collars, microchips, toys, and a complete veterinary checkup, among other things. None of those expenses will be nearly as large as what you’ll spend on the dog over the years, though. Here’s a quick look at how much you should expect to invest in a Pitbull:
Free
Many shelters/adoption centers around the country will hand you a Pitbull for free. This usually applies to canines that haven’t been able to find a new home for a long time. Don’t have any places like that in your area? Then try asking some relatives and friends. Chances are that their Pitbull mamma just gave birth to a few pups.
The owners will gladly let you adopt one. A quick note: before you go ahead and take a Pitbull home, do a quick background check. It might be that the dog has a serious medical condition. Or maybe it’s overly aggressive and hard to train. This isn’t always the case, of course, but still, do run some checks.
Adoption
Today, adoption centers and rescue organizations charge $50–$600 for a Pitbull, which is a fair price. Plus, it’s a great opportunity to give a parentless animal a new life. The final cost depends on the breed, age, pedigree, and other factors. Now, for shelters, finding a new home for Pitbulls isn’t an easy task. That’s why they don’t ask thousands of dollars for such a dog.
On the downside, there’s no telling what kind of canine you’ll be adopting, even if they give you plenty of info.
Breeder
Buying a Pitbull from a reputable breeder will set you back $500–$5,000. For that kind of money, you’ll get a healthy and well-fed dog. But it will be a regular doggo: for a pet with “royal” roots, be ready to pay twice as much, or even around $50,000. That’s right: ultimately, it’s the breed that will determine the price.
And here’s what you need to make sure of before paying for the Pitbull:
- The dog was bred as a family pet, not a fighter
- The doggo was trained and socialized since it was a pup
- The pooch’s mom and dad were screened for health issues
- It doesn’t have any severe health conditions
Initial Setup and Supplies
No matter where you get the Pitbull from, essential supplies and veterinary checks will cost you. Collars, tags, and microchips are usually quite affordable. Brushes, litter boxes, bowls, and toys will cost even less. However, X-rays, ultrasound checks, and teeth cleaning are pricey. If you’re already a pet parent, you won’t have to buy half of this stuff.
Besides, some adoption centers and breeders cover sterilization, chipping, and other expenses.
List of Pitbull Care Supplies and Costs
| ID Tag and Collar | $15–$25 |
| Dog License | $10–$20 |
| Spay/Neuter | $50–$200 |
| X-Ray Cost | $75–$260 |
| Ultrasound Cost | $200–$550 |
| Microchip | $40–$55 |
| Bed/bedding | $50–75 |
| Teeth Cleaning | $100–$300 |
| Nail Clipper (optional) | $10 |
| Brush (optional) | $5–$10 |
| Poop scoop and bags | $20–$50 |
| Toys | $10–$80 |
| Leash | $15–$35 |
| Dog Crate | $80–$450 |
| Food and Water Bowls | $15–$25 |
How Much Does a Pitbull Cost Per Month?
For the most part, it depends on how healthy and active the dog is. Also, if you’re a skilled parent that can handle the grooming, that will reduce the monthly cost considerably. The quality of the food matters as well, of course. In contrast, if the dog has a medical condition and you prefer to pay a local shop to groom it, the cost will be much higher.
On average, most Pitbull owners in the States spend a little bit over $300 a month.
Health Care
Pitbulls are strong, healthy dogs. They do often suffer from various medical conditions, though, including allergies, hip dysplasia, and cataracts. If your doggo has problems with its hips or eyes, the monthly health care costs will be high (up to $280 per month). But if it’s perfectly healthy, you’ll only have to pay $80–$100.
Grooming, insurance, and food: that’s what most dog parents spend money on. As for vet visits and meds, they won’t cost much if the dog is in tip-top condition. Now, when adopting a pet, the first 6–12 months will be quite expensive. That’s because you’ll pay for sterilization, booster shots, and (potentially) growth monitoring.
Food
Pitbulls don’t eat 10 cups of food per day. Thus, premium-quality food that includes all the necessary vitamins, minerals, and other nutritional elements will sum up to $50–$60 per month. Treats, in turn, shouldn’t cost more than $10–$15. Talk to a vet to come up with the perfect diet for your four-legged bud that keeps it well-fed and fit. And remember: Pitbulls are prone to obesity.
Grooming
Pros charge up to $55 to groom a Pitbull. But, if you learn your way around brushing, bathing, and trimming, you’ll be able to reduce the expenses down to $5–$10 per month. That will take time, though. It’s recommended to brush a Pitbull’s coat 3–4 times a week; the same goes for brushing its teeth. Clip the dog’s nails twice a month and bathe it once in 1–6 months.
Medications and Vet Visits
The first thing to schedule for your dog is flea treatment, along with deworming. With that out of the way, have it checked by a veterinarian. If the pet has a medical condition, they’ll tell you exactly what kinds of meds the dog needs. That’ll cost $60–$80. If the doggo is perfectly healthy, the monthly expenses shouldn’t be higher than $35–$40.
Pet Insurance
To protect yourself from unforeseen expenses, do consider pet insurance. Depending on the insurance company, preventive care, and wellness coverage should help keep the costs to a minimum. So, what determines the cost of the insurance? If the plan only protects against accidents, it won’t be expensive ($30–$35). Full coverage, in turn, can set you back up to $100 per month.
Environment Maintenance
First things first, get a scoop and plastic bags for collecting your dog’s droppings. You can get a poop scoop for $12–$20, and it will serve for many months. As for the bags, on average, a 400-pack piece can be bought for $15–$20. That’s less than $5 per month. And let’s not forget about blankets, bedding, and cage liners. These items do add up in the long run:
| Poop scoop | $5/month |
| Plastic poop bags | $5/month |
| Blankets and cushions | $10/month |
| Bedding | $15/month |
| Puppy pads | $10–$15/month |
| Cage liners | $5–$10/month |
Entertainment
Pitbulls love to spend time with their owners. We’re not talking about anything fancy here: regular walks, jogs, and hikes will be enough. But to spice things up a bit, you can get a Frisbee, some balls for fetching, and tug-of-war toys. A treat dispenser will come in handy as well. Together, these toys can help strengthen your bond.
A full pack of the most expensive toys will cost $50 a month. However, most Pitbull parents only spend $5–$10 on toys, or even less.
Total Monthly Cost of Owning a Pitbull
Being a Pitbull parent is both a blessing and a responsibility. As the owner, it’s up to you to feed it quality food, keep it in shape, and have the dog checked by a veterinarian regularly. And then there’s grooming. When done properly, it will not only make the doggo happier but also help avoid big expenses in the future.
Talking about that, we recommend opting for pet insurance. While it might not pay for everything, an insurance plan will be of great financial aid when something unexpected happens. Last but not least, make sure you have enough poop bags, replace the pads frequently, and entertain the furry bud with dog toys.
Additional Costs to Factor In
If you’re having a hard time with the Pitbull, behavioral training will help with that. Basic groups cost $250 per year or $20–$25 per month. And what about pet sitters? They usually charge $250–$300 for a week, $30 per day, $60 per night, and $25–$30 for a 30-minute walk with the doggo.
As for emergency treatments, you should always have $100–$200 saved for a rainy day. You never know when the pooch might hurt itself or fall ill! The same goes for potential household damage. While Pitbulls aren’t very destructive, they will switch into “Hulk Smash” mode when separation anxiety kicks in.
Owning a Pitbull on a Budget
The easiest way to cut expenses is to adopt a Pitbull instead of buying it from a breeder. Or, better yet, find a neighbor/family member who will give it for free. Friends and relatives might also be kind enough to walk the dog/spend time with it while you’re not available. And if you master the art of grooming, that will help save money as well. Next, why not learn how to cook at home?
This will take time and dedication, but it’s very much doable. Buying some food at a discount is another great idea. But make sure it doesn’t get spoiled! Lastly, go over the available insurance plans. Talk to several companies and see what each has to offer. This will give you a chance to find a plan with decent coverage that doesn’t cost a fortune.
Saving Money on Pitbull Care
- Use auto-ship discounts. If you like a certain store that sells dog food, set up a subscription for monthly orders. In return, the store will offer you a nice discount as a regular client. In the long run, an auto-ship program can help save a substantial amount of money!
- Try building a DIY toy. Are you good with your hands? Then try putting together a DIY toy, bedding, or crate. There are lots of detailed, step-by-step instructions on the Internet. Most commercial toys aren’t that expensive, but in pet maintenance, every penny counts!
- Go to vet shelters for pet care. Veterinarians sure do charge a lot for their services. To avoid hefty checks, consider going to rescue centers and shelters for help. They are qualified enough to provide proper medical attention for your doggo yet keep the costs down.
Final Thoughts
A Pitbull is more than just a loyal protector: it can quickly become a precious new member of your family. However, before you get a Pitbull, calculate beforehand how much that will cost. For example, an adoption center might sell it to you for next to nothing: $50. A breeder, however, will charge $1,000–$5,000 for a pup with a good heritage.
Initial veterinary checks and supplies won’t be cheap, either: $800–$1,500 for the average Pitbull. More importantly, make sure you have enough money every month to spend on the doggo. We’re talking $210–$725 here ($200–$300 is the more likely sum). Buy quality food, find a beneficial insurance plan, and enjoy your furry bud!
Image Credit: Anna Krivitskaya, Shutterstock
Featured Image Courtesy: Anna Krivitskaya, Shutterstock
