MyCheapest Dog and Cat Breeds to Own
The cheapest dog breeds to own in the US cost about $80 to $180 per month in 2026, and the cheapest cat breeds cost about $50 to $100 per month. A Beagle, a Chihuahua, and a Dachshund are among the cheapest dogs, and a domestic shorthair is the cheapest cat. But cheap to buy is not cheap to keep. A puppy that costs $200 to buy can cost $200 a month to keep if it has health problems, while a puppy that costs $1,000 to buy can cost $100 a month to keep if it is healthy. The monthly cost matters more than the purchase price, and this page ranks breeds by monthly cost, not by purchase price.
Small dogs cost less than large dogs, because they eat less, need less medicine, and pay less for boarding and insurance. Short haired dogs cost less than long haired dogs, because they need less grooming. Healthy breeds cost less than breeds with known health problems, because they need fewer vet visits and less medicine. Those three rules explain the whole ranking. A small, short haired, healthy dog is cheap to own. A large, long haired, unhealthy dog is expensive to own, even if the puppy is free. See our most expensive breeds guide for the other end of the ranking, and our Labrador cost guide for a medium sized dog in the middle.
Every price here is a range checked in Nov 2026. Published sources disagree because the price depends on size, age, and location. Use the ranges to plan, then get local quotes for food, vet care, and insurance where you live.
Cheapest dog breeds to own, monthly cost
| Breed | Per month in the US | Why it is cheap |
|---|---|---|
| Chihuahua | $80 to $150 | Tiny, eats very little, long lived |
| Beagle | $100 to $180 | Medium small, short coat, healthy |
| Dachshund, Miniature | $100 to $180 | Small, short coat, eats little |
| Mixed breed, small | $90 to $170 | Often healthier, lower insurance |
| Jack Russell Terrier | $110 to $190 | Small, short coat, long lived |
| Shih Tzu | $120 to $200 | Small, but needs grooming |
| Typical range, cheapest dogs | $80 to $180 | Small, short haired, healthy |
Chihuahuas are the cheapest dog to own in most rankings, because they weigh 2 to 3 kg and eat very little, and they live 14 to 16 years. Beagles are a good cheap choice for families, because they are friendly, healthy, and short coated, and they cost $100 to $180 a month. A small mixed breed dog from a rescue is often the cheapest of all, because the adoption fee is $100 to $500, the dog is often already vaccinated and neutered, and mixed breed dogs often have fewer hereditary health problems than pure breeds.
Cheapest cat breeds to own, monthly cost
| Breed | Per month in the US | Why it is cheap |
|---|---|---|
| Domestic shorthair | $50 to $100 | Healthy, short coat, eats little |
| American Shorthair | $60 to $110 | Healthy, short coat, long lived |
| Russian Blue | $60 to $110 | Healthy, short coat, eats little |
| Manx | $60 to $110 | Small, short coat, healthy |
| Typical range, cheapest cats | $50 to $100 | Short haired, healthy, small |
A domestic shorthair from a rescue is the cheapest cat to own, and it is also one of the best choices for most owners. The adoption fee is often $50 to $200, the cat is often already vaccinated, microchipped, and neutered, and the monthly cost is $50 to $100. A pedigree cat costs more to buy, often $500 to $1,500, and more to keep, because pedigree cats have more hereditary health problems. Our cat cost guide gives the full monthly breakdown for a cat.
Why cheap to buy is not cheap to keep
The purchase price is a one off cost, and the monthly cost is paid for 10 to 16 years. A puppy that costs $200 to buy and $200 a month to keep costs $24,200 over 10 years. A puppy that costs $1,000 to buy and $100 a month to keep costs $13,000 over 10 years. The cheap puppy costs almost twice as much in total. That is why the purchase price is a bad way to choose a breed. Look at the monthly cost, the health risks, and the lifetime cost instead. A French Bulldog is a clear example. A puppy costs $2,000 to $5,000 to buy, and the monthly cost is $180 to $320, with insurance at $55 to $95 a month and breathing surgery at $2,000 to $5,000. See our French Bulldog cost guide for the full breakdown.
Health is the biggest reason a cheap breed can become expensive. Dachshunds are cheap to feed, but they have spine problems, and spine surgery costs $3,000 to $8,000. Chihuahuas are cheap to feed, but they have dental and heart problems, and dental work costs $300 to $800. Beagles are cheap and healthy, but they eat too much and gain weight, and an overweight Beagle costs more in vet bills. Ask the breeder for health test results, and ask your vet about the breed risks before you commit.
How to keep the monthly cost low
Choose a small, short haired, healthy breed, and adopt from a rescue if you can. A rescue dog or cat is often already vaccinated, microchipped, and neutered, which saves $200 to $500 in the first year. Keep your pet at a healthy weight, because an overweight pet costs more in vet bills and medicine. Brush your pet at home, and learn to trim nails, because home grooming saves $40 to $110 per session. Buy food in bulk, and compare by cost per day, not by bag price, using our Dog Food Cost Calculator or Cat Food Cost Calculator. Buy insurance when your pet is young, because the price is lower and pre existing conditions are less likely. See our pet insurance cost guide for a break even worked example.
Cheapest breeds in the UK
In the UK in 2026, the cheapest dogs cost about £70 to £150 a month, and the cheapest cats cost about £45 to £90 a month. A Chihuahua costs about £70 to £140 a month. A Beagle costs about £90 to £160 a month. A domestic shorthair cat costs about £55 to £100 a month. London and the south east are the most expensive regions. A rescue dog or cat is the cheapest choice in the UK too, because the adoption fee is often £100 to £300, and the pet is often already vaccinated and neutered. See our UK dog cost guide and UK cat cost guide for the full UK breakdown.
Frequently asked questions
What is the cheapest dog breed to own?
A Chihuahua, at about $80 to $150 a month in the US in 2026, because it is tiny and eats very little. A Beagle is a good cheap family choice, at $100 to $180 a month.
What is the cheapest cat breed to own?
A domestic shorthair, at about $50 to $100 a month in the US in 2026. A rescue cat is often cheapest of all, because the adoption fee is low and the cat is often already vaccinated and neutered.
Is a cheap puppy really cheap to keep?
Not always. A puppy that costs $200 to buy and $200 a month to keep costs more over 10 years than a puppy that costs $1,000 to buy and $100 a month to keep. Look at the monthly cost and the health risks, not the purchase price.
Do mixed breed dogs cost less than pure breeds?
Often, yes. A small mixed breed dog costs about $90 to $170 a month, and mixed breed dogs often have fewer hereditary health problems than pure breeds, which means lower vet and insurance costs.
How can I lower my monthly pet cost?
Choose a small, short haired, healthy breed, adopt from a rescue, keep your pet at a healthy weight, groom at home, buy food in bulk, and buy insurance when your pet is young.
Related guides and calculators
Sources and how we priced this
Prices in this guide are ranges, not single facts, because published sources disagree. We used the American Pet Products Association 2025 and 2026 industry figures, Rover 2026 cost of dog ownership reports, the PDSA PAW Report and PDSA cost guides for the UK, the American Animal Hospital Association and the National Research Council feeding guidance, and published insurer and vet price lists in the US and the UK. All prices were checked in Nov 2026 and are shown in US dollars unless a UK section says pounds. Where a source gave one number, we widened it into a range to reflect size, breed and location.