Caring for a dog can be very rewarding, but it can also be costly. If you’re planning on bringing a dog into your home, you’ll want to make sure you’re able to manage these expenses. Below, you’ll find more information about some of the dog-related expenses you may have to cover.
Adopting A Dog
One of the first expenses you’ll have to cover when you bring a new pet into your home is the cost of adopting a dog. As a general rule, you’ll pay more if you get your dog from a breeder. It is always great to go through a dog price list so you know how much you need to spend. Purebred dogs are usually the most expensive, but designer dog breeds can be expensive as well.
Even if you get your dog from a shelter, you’ll have to pay some fees before you can take your dog home. In some cases, you may also have to pay to have your pet spayed or neutered.
Food Expenses
A bag of dog food isn’t that expensive, but since your dog will need to eat every day, those costs will add up quickly. You’re likely to spend more on food if your dog has special dietary needs. You’ll also wind up paying more if you choose to feed your dog organic food.
While you might be tempted to pick a cheaper dog food to cut costs, you’ll want to avoid doing that if possible. Your dog’s food is its primary source of nutrients. If you feed your pet low-quality food, your pet is more likely to have health issues, which will cost you more in the long run.
Vet Visits
Even if your dog is in good health, you’ll want to bring your pet to see the vet regularly. Annual check-ups are one of the best ways to maintain your dog’s health. In addition to these visits, you’ll have to cover the cost of supplements and preventative medications.
Vet care can be a big expense, which is why you may want to look into purchasing pet insurance. Most pet insurance policies are fairly affordable, and having insurance can make these kinds of costs a lot easier to manage.
Serious Health Problems
You’ll need to bring your dog to the vet even if your pet is in good health. With that said, if your dog has a severe health condition or chronic health problems, you’ll likely wind up spending a lot more. If your dog needs surgery, for example, it could wind up costing you thousands of dollars.
If you have to cover unplanned medical expenses, there may be financing options available to you. Of course, it’s a good idea to put aside some money you can use if your dog needs care. That way, you won’t have to worry about how you’ll cover essential care.
The Cost of Toys
Playing with your dog isn’t just a way for your pet to have fun. It’s important to your pet’s well-being. Because of that, you’ll want to make sure you always have a few toys around.
Most dog toys are inexpensive, which means this shouldn’t be a significant expense. With that said, you’ll want to be prepared to replace some toys as the year goes on. You can expect to spend somewhere between $20 and $50 on toys each year.
Essential Supplies
When you bring a new pet into your home, you’ll need to make sure that you have all of the supplies you need. The cost of these items can add up, but thankfully, this is likely to be a one-time expense. Some of the items you’ll want to make sure you have to include:
- A leash
- A pet bed
- Gates
- Crate
- Food and water bowls
Put together a list of supplies that you’ll need for your pet. From there, you can shop around and try to find these items at a reasonable price. You can buy the supplies you need at a local pet store or buy them online. Figure out how you can get the best deals.
Grooming Costs
All dogs need grooming, but the amount of grooming your pet’s needs will vary based on the breed you choose. Some types of dogs need to be groomed daily. Other breeds can be groomed far less often.
You can groom your dog on your own with the right supplies. Alternatively, you can bring your dog to a groomer’s. While going to a groomer is the more expensive option, having your dog groomed by a professional could wind up saving you a lot of stress.
Pet Care
Are you going to pay for your dog to take training classes? Will you have to put your dog in a kennel when you’re on vacation? Do you plan on working with a dog walker a few times a week?
This sort of pet care isn’t always necessary, but these are services that many dog owners take advantage of. If you think that you’ll be using these kinds of services, you’ll want to include them in your budget. Make sure you’re prepared to pay for the services that your dog needs.
Replacing Damaged Items
Even if you have a well-behaved dog, there’s a good chance your pet will get into trouble from time to time. These kinds of problems are especially likely to occur if you choose to adopt a puppy.
You might have to pay to replace a pair of shoes that your dog chewed up or pay to have your carpets professionally cleaned after your dog had an accident. Having to cover these kinds of costs can be frustrating, but it’s less stressful if it’s an expense you’re ready to cover.
There are quite a few dog-related expenses you’ll need to be prepared to cover if you want to be a dog owner. You’ll likely wind-up spending thousands of dollars a year on your dog. If you can’t afford these costs, you may not be ready to adopt a dog just yet.
I’m a 20-something stay-at-home mother and wife. I have an amazing husband, a beautiful daughter, two loving dogs, and a lazy cat. I wouldn’t change my life for anything! I love to read, listen to music, cook and blog!
Speak Your Mind