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A Realistic Look at the Cost of Owning a Dog
1. A Realistic Look at the Cost of Owning a Dog
The thought of bringing home a cute, playful, new puppy causes many people to neglect the cost of
ownership. Would you be surprised to learn that it can cost thousands of dollars each year to
properly care for a canine? Without planning a realistic budget, you may discover that you lack the
necessary funds to provide for your dog's basic needs. If you're unable to meet his needs, his
comfort, happiness, and health may suffer.
Below, we'll explore the costs associated with owning a canine. We'll take a look at the upfront
investment as well as expenses related to food, veterinary care, various supplies, and professional
training classes. By the end, you'll have a much better grasp of the financial resources needed to
care for your new pooch.
Tallying The Upfront Cost
The cost of a new puppy or adult canine can range from free to thousands of dollars. If you're willing
to adopt a mixed breed (and there are plenty of advantages to doing so), consider visiting a local
animal shelter. Adopting a new pet from a shelter will usually cost less than $100.
You should immediately have a veterinarian examine your new pooch after adopting him from the
shelter. He may need vaccinations and other medicines, which can cost $300 or more.
Also, plan to buy a crate, bed, a few toys, a leash, and a collar, and have them waiting at home for
your new pet. Together, these items will cost approximately $300, bringing the upfront investment
to $700.
Dog Food
The amount you'll spend on food each year will depend on two things: your canine's size and his
activity level. Bigger dogs eat more than smaller ones, of course. For example, a German Shepherd
will consume more food than a Yorkshire Terrier.
Some breeds are far more active than others. They burn more calories and need to refuel. That
means they'll need more food. American Foxhounds and Border Collies will burn more energy - and
thus, eat more - than Basset Hounds and Shih Tzus.
The annual cost for a commercial brand dog food can range from $300 to $800. Add another $200 a
year for high-quality dog treats.
Veterinary Care
Your canine will need regular trips to the veterinarian to maintain his health. Assuming he does not
require special medications or treatment for a precondition, these routine visits will cost
approximately $250 to $350 each year.
2. Supplies And Personal Belongings
Eventually, the bed, toys, leash, and collar you purchased as part of your upfront investment will
need to be replaced. In fact, you should plan to replace these items multiple times throughout the
year (with the exception of the bed, which should last a year).
Most owners spend $50 to $70 a year on leashes and collars. A comfortable bed will likely cost
between $100 and $200. Also, your canine will go through his toys quickly. Plan to spend another
$150 to $200 on replacements.
Professional Training
Professional training classes can cost up to $300 or more each year. Many new owners believe this
is a one-time expense because they expect their dogs will learn everything during a single course. In
reality, dogs need refresher courses throughout their lives. The alternative to enrolling your canine
into obedience classes how do i train my dog to roll over is training him at home. You'll save money,
but the results are unlikely to be as good as those produced by a professional trainer.
Grooming Expenses
Depending on the length of your dog's hair, grooming costs can range from $50 a year to $400 and
more. As you might expect, breeds with short hair require very little maintenance. By contrast,
longer-haired canines will need frequent trips to the groomer in order to keep their coats in check.
As you can see from the numbers above, owning a dog can be expensive. If you're planning to adopt
a canine, make sure you have the financial resources to provide him with the care he needs to be
comfortable, healthy, and happy.
