Can you afford a dog?
You may have heard that dogs are expensive but the actual fact about having dog is an investment involved to take care of your dog. Cost of Dog Ownership involved the cost of food, toys, bed, grooming, beats & collars, veterinary care, medications, training, Hiring a pet sitter cost etc. Before adopting a dog you must understand how to take care of the dog to know the dog ownership cost. On the other hand, you may think that dogs cost nothing at all. With something like the cost of dog care, it is all relative.
Calculate: many people do not take the time to keep a budget for their dog before getting one, leads them to mess and problems along the way. The first rule of the cost of dog ownership is to think that “Can you afford a dog“? Learn your limits before you get a dog to help you make the right decisions. Financial security for your dogs is a big part of being a responsible dog owner .
Cost of Keeping a Dog Greater than the Cost of Food.
The cost of keeping a dog can be estimated at around $1400-$4300 per year (see table at the bottom of this page). There are ways to save money depending on the choices you make. Contributing factors include the size and age of your dog, the region in which you live, your lifestyle and the individual needs of your dog.
Initial investment
Consider costs when choosing a dog . Any dog or young dog will come at a considerable cost. If you decide to buy a purebred dog from a breeder, you can expect to spend $ 500-2000, give or take. Spend the extra money on a quality dog from a reputable and professional breeder , not like a ” backyard breeder “. This will cost you less in the long run because the dog will be healthier (and it is the right thing to do).
If you like mixed breed dogs and want to do your part to help dogs in need, then get the dog from a reputable shelter or rescue group. If you still want a purebred, there are many specific salvage groups. Adoption from a shelter or rescue can cost as little as $ 50-200 . You are more likely to get a healthy dog when adopting from a reputable shelter or rescue group.
Be aware that dogs with unknown histories can come with illness, so you can spend a little more on veterinary care in the beginning if you have adopted from a “controversial” shelter.
Regardless of where you get your new dog, the first thing you need to do is get that dog to a good vet. Depending on the need for vaccines , preventative medications and special treatments, the first visit will cost you anywhere from $ 50-300, so make sure you are prepared. Own bills for a new dog will range from $ 100-300 depending on the puppy’s health and the region in which you live. Puppies should visit the vet every week for up to about 16 weeks, and each visit can cost you $ 100-300 depending on your pup needs.
Your next big expense will be dog supplies . These include dog food, leash, collars, beds, toys and so on. You should also consider persuasion classes and / or training resources . When it comes time to have your dog vaccinated , expect to spend anywhere from $ 150 to $ 700. At the end of the year, the first year with your new dog can cost twice the typical annual cost of later years, so get ready.
Food and treats
It is important to feed your dog a high quality dog food and treats healthy dogs.
This usually costs anywhere from $ 20-60 per month ($ 250-700 per year). Food costs vary based on the size and energy level of your dog as well as the quality of the food. Be aware that special foods, such as therapeutic veterinary diets or specialty foods, can cost $ 100 or more per month.
TOYS
Dog toys are an important part of stimulating and mentally exercising your dog. Although some of us may enjoy it, you might as well plan to spend $ 25-150 a year. If you are like those of us who can not resist a beautiful toy, this figure can become several hundred dollars higher. Another reason you can spend more on toys: a very destructive dog can go through toys faster, so if you have one of these dogs, invest in toys designed for “tough chewers.”
Number of beds
Each dog deserves a cozy bed and keeping one or two houses will cost you $ 50-200 a year.
Prices go in proportion to size and quality. Making durable, high-quality, and easy-to-clean beds can extend the life of your beds and keep costs down.
Beats and Collars
Your dog must have at least one leash and one collar (with ID tags). Depending on the size and quality, most dog owners spend $ 20-50 a year on bark and collars. However, you may be able to make a set chain and collar for several years.
grooming
Your dog’s care needs are largely based on the type of hair coat he has. Dogs groomed with short hair require a little more than basic trimming , while dogs with ever-growing hair will need to visit the groomer on a routine basis. Between the cost of grooming tools and groomer visits, you can plan to spend anywhere from $ 30 to $ 500 a year.
Routine veterinary care
Routine veterinary care is a big part of keeping your dog healthy . Plan to go to the vet for Wellness checkups once or twice a year at a cost of about $ 200-300 per year. Annual lab work can add up to about $ 100-300 and should not be overlooked as it is an important part of preventative health care. Tooth brushing can be recommended once a year and generally ranges from around $ 300-800. Of course, the costs themselves will be higher if your dog develops a health problem . This is more likely to happen when your dog grows older. Consider buying pet insurance for your dog, which will cover a percentage of your own expenses. Generally, you should budget around $ 700-1500 per year for veterinary costs, and this does not include emergencies . Also excludes preventative medications and supplements.
Preventive medications and supplements
All dogs need medication to prevent pain of the heart , fleas , ticks and other parasites. Your veterinarian will guide you to the best products based on your climate and your dog’s needs. Some dogs will also benefit from vitamins and supplements. Generally, you will probably spend $ 100-500 per year on these items depending on the size of your dog and his specific needs.
Persuasion Classes or Training Resources
Although most dogs will only go to obedience school in their first or second year, training is something that should continue throughout your dog’s life. If you are buying books and DVDs for home training or enrolling your dog in obedience classes, budget at least $ 25-300 per year for training needs.
Pet Sitters or boarding
Most people will need to leave their dogs once or twice a year. Typically, this will cost around $ 100-300 per year. However, if you travel often, expect to spend a lot more. Dormitories tend to cost less than hiring a pet caretaker, but many dog owners prefer the individual attention that a pet caretaker can provide and think is worth the extra expense. On the other hand, if you decide to travel with your dog , you can expect your travel fares to increase.
Emergencies and other unforeseen expenses
No one can predict the future; the unexpected happens in life all the time. As a good dog owner, you need to do your best to be ready for the little surprises of life. Emergencies , chronic illnesses, disasters and other unplanned expenses can amount to hundreds or thousands of dollars a year. The cost of an individual hospital visit can start at around $ 500 to $ 1000 and go beyond $ 2000 to $ 5000. Advanced surgery is anywhere from $ 2000 to $ 5000 or more. If your sick pet needs to stay in the ICU, you can see $ 200-500 a day and more.
The best way to stay prepared is to put extra cash into savings, if possible. In addition to savings, some people carry a specially designed emergency credit card or line of credit. Some veterinary practices offer third-party health care financing or credit cards for health care, such as CareCredit. You may even qualify for a zero start entry plan.
In a perfect world, dog owners will never have to make choices for their dogs based solely on money, instead, it should be about what is best for their dogs. With the right planning (and a little luck) you can make sure your dog lives a long and happy life together.
Basic cost of keeping a dog:
| Annual expenses | ||
| Type of expenses | Food and treats | 250 – 700 |
| TOYS | 25 – 150 | |
| Number of beds | 50 – 200 | |
| Beats and Collars | 20 – 50 | |
| grooming | 30 – 500 | |
| Routine veterinary care (healthy dog) | 700 – 1500 | |
| Preventive medications and supplements | 200 – 600 | |
| Training Classes or Resources | 25 – 300 | |
| Pet sitters or Boarding | 100 – 300 | |
| Annual total | $ 1400-4300 | |
| The average monthly cost of keeping a dog | $ 115-350 | |
