How Much Will a Pet Cost You?

Providing for a pet can be expensive. If your child is begging for a lovable critter of his or her own, consult this guide to find out what type of pet is the best fit for your household’s budget.

Adding a Pet to the Family

This article originally appeared on LearnVest.com.

We love pets, but the playing field changes once there’s a little kid at home asking (nay, begging) for a cute creature to call her own.

Sixty-two percent of U.S. households—72.9 million homes—have a pet, according to the 2011-2012 American Pet Product Association’s National Pet Owners Survey.

All the more reason your kid will want one. (“But, Mom! Brian just got an awesome turtle!”)

Once you’ve made the decision to start a menagerie, be sure to consider all your options—and how much each animal is likely to cost you.

Here’s what you can expect to spend per year on a dog, cat, fish, bird, small animal or reptile, based on what pet owners spent in 2011.