How much does it cost to freeze-dry a pet?
Freeze-drying a pet typically costs USD 1,000–2,000[1] in the US, according to one industry report. Tiny pets under a pound start around $650 at one studio, while medium and large dogs often run $2,000 to $5,000 or more, because price climbs with weight and time in the chamber.
By the Pet Taxidermy & Preservation Services editorial team · Updated September 24, 2026 · 4 min read · Sources
- Real published prices by pet size
- The add-ons that change the total
- UK prices and how it compares with cremation
The numbers
What does freeze-drying cost by pet size?
Weight is the main thing studios price on, because a heavier pet spends longer in the chamber and needs more hands-on work. Here's how published prices and price guides line up.
| Pet | Price | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Under 1 lb: hamster, budgie, small lizard | About $650 | US studio[2] |
| Small bird | $650–$1,350 | Ohio studio[3] |
| Bearded dragon | About $850 | Ohio studio[3] |
| Hedgehog, rat or ferret | About $950 | Ohio studio[3] |
| 1–2 lb pet | $1,250 | Ohio studio[4] |
| 2–6 lb pet | $2,095 | Ohio studio[4] |
| Cat or small dog | $1,000–$2,500 | Price guide[5] |
| 10 lb cat | About $2,290–$2,590 (our estimate) | From one studio's list[6] |
| Medium to large dog | $2,000–$5,000+ | Price guide[5] |
| 50 lb dog | About $4,851 (our estimate) | From one studio's list[7] |
Our estimate for a 10 lb cat is a range because that studio's list, USD 2,095 + USD 49/lb[8] for 6 to 19 lb pets, can be read as per pound above 6 lb or per pound overall. Always ask a studio which they mean. To get a quick figure for your pet, try the preservation cost estimator.
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Where the money goes
Why does freeze-drying cost so much?
It's mostly time. A commercial freeze-dry chamber runs constantly, for months, on a single batch, so each pet ties up expensive equipment and electricity for a long stretch. On top of that is skilled handwork: grooming, posing each limb, shaping the face from your photos, and finishing the nose and eyes. Few people do it; one industry report counts just over a hundred pet taxidermy businesses in the US[9].
That's also why prices vary so much between studios. Rent, local wages, queue length and the artist's reputation all show up in the quote. By our estimate, freeze-drying costs ~6x[10] as much as an average pet cremation.
There's also a hidden cost in risk. A studio takes on a pet they can't fully assess until it thaws, and sometimes the work turns out harder than expected. Reputable studios build that into their pricing rather than surprising you later, which is one reason the cheapest quote isn't always the fairest one.
Beyond the base price
What extra costs should you expect?
- Pose and base. Custom bases or special positioning typically add $150–$800[11], according to one price guide.
- Color touch-ups. Airbrushing a nose or pads can add £200–£500 in the UK[12], and US studios may list detailed finishing separately too.
- Glass eyes. Open-eyed poses usually need them; ask if they're included.
- Rush service. One studio charges 50% extra to cut the wait to 6–8 weeks[13].
- Shipping both ways. Frozen courier or overnight dry-ice shipping out, and careful insured shipping back.
- A display case. Not essential but strongly recommended to protect the piece.
Put every line into the memorial budget planner so you see the true total, not just the headline price. Our list of questions for a pet taxidermist includes exactly how to ask what's included. In the US, human funeral homes must give you written price lists under the FTC's Funeral Rule; pet preservation has no such rule, so ask for the itemized quote yourself.
Outside the US
How much does pet freeze-drying cost in the UK?
A UK freeze-drying guide puts cats and small dogs at £800–£1,500[14], hamsters and birds at £300 to £500, and large dogs at £3,000 or more. Traditional taxidermy in the UK tends to cost more: one studio charges from £2,300[15] for a standard domestic cat and £2,500–£6,000[16] for a small to medium dog.
Prices in Canada and Australia vary widely and are usually quoted individually. The locations page explains how to find practitioners in each country. Our services overview describes the kinds of work studios offer.
Putting it in context
Is freeze-drying cheaper than taxidermy or cremation?
It's usually similar to taxidermy and far more than cremation. A US price guide puts traditional taxidermy at $800–$2,500[17] for a cat or small dog, which overlaps closely with freeze-drying. Private dog cremation, by contrast, averages about $260[18]. Our preservation vs cremation comparison covers the non-money differences too.
If the numbers are out of reach, a partial piece is much cheaper. A single paw or tail costs a fraction of a whole pet, and a paw cast or fur keepsake less again. See paw casts, fur and lighter keepsakes for prices. You can see how other readers budgeted in the poll results.
What would matter most to you in a preserved pet?
Tap an answer to vote and see how others answered. Anonymous.
Keeping the cost down
How can you reduce the cost of freeze-drying?
- Choose a simple sleeping pose on a plain bed rather than a custom base.
- Freeze your pet well and quickly, so there's no repair work. Our freezing guide shows how.
- Drop off in person if the studio is within driving distance, rather than paying for frozen shipping.
- Compare two or three quotes for the same pose and size. Few people shop around for pet aftercare: working from the UK Competition and Markets Authority's survey figures, by our estimate only around 6% of bereaved owners compare cremation providers[19].
- Ask about payment plans. Some studios spread the balance over the months your pet is in the chamber.
Or let us do the legwork: send us your pet's details and we'll email you quotes from practitioners who take your species and size.
Reader polls
What would you choose?
Vote anonymously and see how other readers answered. The results are live counts from people who visit this site, so they show real opinions, not a scientific sample.
What would matter most to you in a preserved pet?
Tap an answer to vote and see how others answered. Anonymous.
What would you expect to pay for private cremation of a medium-size dog?
Tap an answer to vote and see how others answered. Anonymous.
How much would you spend on a memorial item, beyond the cremation itself?
Tap an answer to vote and see how others answered. Anonymous.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to freeze-dry a cat?
One US price guide puts most cat quotes at about $1,000 to $2,500[5]. At one Ohio studio's published prices, a 10 lb cat would cost roughly $2,290 to $2,590 by our estimate[6], depending on how their per-pound charge is applied. Add-ons like a custom base or shipping can push the total higher.
How much does it cost to freeze-dry a dog?
Small dogs are similar to cats, around $1,000 to $2,500. One US price guide puts medium and large dogs at $2,000 to $5,000 or more[5]. On one studio's published list, a 50 lb dog would be about $4,851 by our reading[7]. Giant breeds cost more and take longer.
Why do freeze-dry prices vary so much between studios?
Studios set their own prices based on their costs, queue and experience. Chamber time, local rent and wages, and how much detailed finishing they include all differ. Some quote per pound, others by size band. Ask exactly what's included so you're comparing like with like.
Do I have to pay the full amount up front?
Usually not. Most studios take a deposit when they accept your pet and the balance before return, and some offer payment plans across the months of drying. Get the schedule and any refund terms in writing, especially what happens if your pet turns out to be unsuitable.
Is freeze-drying a small pet like a hamster much cheaper?
Yes. Pets under a pound cost around $650 at one US studio[2], and UK guides put hamsters and birds at £300 to £500. Small pets also come back sooner, typically within months rather than most of a year.
Does pet insurance cover freeze-drying?
Generally no. Pet insurance is designed for veterinary treatment, and aftercare like preservation is rarely included. A few policies offer a small end-of-life or cremation benefit; check your policy wording and ask the insurer whether it can be put toward preservation.
Are there costs after my freeze-dried pet comes home?
A few, and they're small next to the preservation itself. A display case protects the piece from dust, pets and insects. A small dehumidifier may be worth it in a damp home. Occasional repairs, such as re-coloring a nose after some years, are usually modest. Budget for them now so nothing catches you out.
Sources and our estimates
- [1] Freeze-drying a pet typically costs USD 1,000–2,000. Astute Analytica via GlobeNewswire — Global Pet Preservation Services Market to Hit USD 112.7 Million by 2032 (Apr 2, 2024), 2024.
- [2] One U.S. pet preservation studio charges USD 650 to freeze-dry a pet under 1 lb, with a 4–6 month turnaround. Animal Family Pet — Pet Preservation Pricing & Shipping, 2026.
- [3] Freeze-drying costs about $850 for a bearded dragon, $950 for a hedgehog, rat or ferret, and $650–$1,350 for a small bird at one Ohio studio. Animal Family Pet Preservation – Pricing, 2026.
- [4] An Ohio pet preservation studio charges $1,250 to freeze-dry a 1–2 lb pet and $2,095 for 2–6 lb, with 6–8 month turnaround. Animal Family Pet Preservation – Pricing, 2026.
- [5] Memorials.com puts freeze-drying at $1,000–$2,500 for a cat or small dog and $2,000–$5,000+ for a medium to large dog. Memorials.com – Pet Taxidermy Guide, 2025.
- [6] Freeze-drying a 10 lb cat at one published price list would cost about USD 2,290–2,590. Our estimate: Low: 2,095 + 49 x (10-6) lb; High: 2,095 + 49 x 10 lb. How we calculate.
- [7] On a per-pound-above-threshold reading of its price list, one Ohio studio would charge about $4,851 to freeze-dry a 50 lb dog. Our estimate: $2,781 + $69 × (50 − 20) lb. How we calculate.
- [8] The same studio charges USD 2,095 plus USD 49 per lb for 6–19 lb dogs and cats, and USD 2,781 plus USD 69 per lb for pets over 20 lb, with a 6–8 month turnaround. Animal Family Pet — Pet Preservation Pricing & Shipping, 2026.
- [9] The U.S. has more than 100 pet taxidermy businesses, generating an estimated USD 25–30 million in annual revenue. Astute Analytica via GlobeNewswire — Global Pet Preservation Services Market to Hit USD 112.7 Million by 2032 (Apr 2, 2024), 2023.
- [10] Freeze-drying a pet costs about 6 times as much as an average cremation. Our estimate: USD 1,500 (midpoint of USD 1,000–2,000) / USD 250. How we calculate.
- [11] Taxidermy and freeze-drying add-ons such as custom bases or positioning cost about $150–$800. Memorials.com – Pet Taxidermy Guide, 2025.
- [12] Painting and airbrushing touch-ups on a freeze-dried pet can add £200–£500. AK Mountain Dog – Freeze Dried Pets Cost Breakdown, 2025.
- [13] Paying 50% extra for VIP service cuts freeze-dry turnaround to 6–8 weeks at Animal Family Pet Preservation. Animal Family Pet Preservation – Pricing, 2026.
- [14] A freeze-drying guide puts UK costs at £300–£500 for hamsters or birds, £800–£1,500 for cats and small dogs, and £3,000+ for large dogs. AK Mountain Dog – Freeze Dried Pets Cost Breakdown, 2025.
- [15] Taxidermy UK charges from £2,300 to preserve a standard domestic cat, excluding cremation fees. Taxidermy UK – Pets policy, 2026.
- [16] Taxidermy UK charges £2,500–£6,000 for a small to medium dog, up to Springer spaniel size, with muscular short-haired breeds up to 20% more. Taxidermy UK – Pets policy, 2026.
- [17] Memorials.com puts traditional taxidermy at $800–$2,500 for a cat or small dog and $1,500–$5,000+ for a medium to large dog. Memorials.com – Pet Taxidermy Guide, 2025.
- [18] CareCredit's 2025 cost study put the US national average for private dog cremation at $260 (range $206-$473). CareCredit (Synchrony) - How Much Does It Cost To Euthanize a Dog? (2025 ASQ360 procedural cost study), 2025.
- [19] Only about 6% of all bereaved UK pet owners compare cremation providers before buying. Our estimate: 67% cremate x 9% compared = 6.0%. How we calculate.
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