How much does a dog cost per year in Spain?
What it costs to keep a dog each year: food with real online shop prices, vet, parasite prevention, mandatory insurance and extras.
Before adopting or buying a dog, it’s worth knowing what it costs to keep one. It isn’t just food: there’s the vet, parasite prevention, an insurance policy that’s now mandatory in Spain and each year’s extras. Here’s an estimate with real prices.
Food, the biggest cost
Based on the dry food offers in 8 to 16 kg bags that Miloop compares across five online shops, a kilo costs between €4.40 and €6.70, with a median price of about €5.90/kg (data from 29 September 2026).
How much they eat depends on their weight, activity and the food, which shows the daily amount on the bag. As a guide, at the median price:
| Dog size | Food per day (approx.) | Per year |
|---|---|---|
| Small (8 kg) | 120 g | about €260 |
| Medium (20 kg) | 280 g | about €600 |
| Large (35 kg) | 450 g | about €970 |
Comparing prices and buying big bags on offer is where you save the most.
Vet and prevention
- Yearly check-up and vaccines: prices vary a lot by clinic and area. Ask at yours.
- Internal and external parasite prevention several times a year: your vet will tell you how often based on their lifestyle.
- The unexpected: an emergency visit, a blood test or minor surgery can cost more than everything above combined. Setting a little aside each month for it avoids nasty surprises.
Liability insurance
Spain’s Animal Welfare Act 7/2023 requires dog owners to take out and keep third-party liability insurance for the dog’s whole life (article 30). The minimum cover will be set by regulation. Some home insurance policies already include it: check yours before buying another.
Extras that add up
Leads, harnesses, beds and toys that get chewed, grooming if their coat needs it, kennels or a sitter for holidays and, depending on where you live, a council fee.
How to keep track
Log every expense for your dog for a few months: it’s the quickest way to find your real cost, which rarely matches any estimate.
Figures are indicative. Food prices change daily and the real cost depends on your dog and where you live.