Families love their pets, but do they ever stop and think about how much money animals cost?

Dr. Jeanne Eisenhour says, "When you buy a car, there's a responsibility in owning that car. There's a bigger responsibility in owning a pet, there's no question. But there's also a cost involved in that. And I don't think many people sit down and tally up and say 'pros and cons, how much is this going to cost?'"

Dogs are the most expensive pet for families to own; a small dog is estimated at $1,314.00 a year, which includes food, annual exams and treatments. A medium-sized dog costs an estimated $1,580 and lastly a large dog could cost up to $1,843.

Other popular animals such as cats could cost an estimated $1,035, a guinea pig would cost $705, a small bird $270 and a fish $235.

Remember that mammals need plenty of exercise and healthy food. If health issues arise with your animals, be honest to the vet about your desire to keep costs low.