Cost of Owning a Dog

Dogs are unique in every way. For this reason, it is hard to determine the exact cost of being a dog owner.

The cost of owning a dog varies, and mostly depends on the dogs’ size and health status. Let’s discuss the type of spending a dog owner might encounter.

*The prices are not exact, and are assuming that the dog is healthy.

Food

A large dog can easily consume a 40lb bag in 3 weeks, whereas a small dog consumes less than half that amount per month. Depending on the dog food brand, a 40 pound bag of dog food will cost you $30 to $60 USD. If you will be feeding your dog canned food as well, add on another $40 USD a month.

You also need to consider the price of snacks (which can range from $5 to $30 USD for bigger breeds, or larger amounts). Making homemade dog food can save you money, but it is many times challenging to learn how make a well-balanced meal for your dog.

Medical attention

Keeping your dog healthy is very important; it is also one of the biggest contributions to the cost of owning a dog. The first year is usually the most expensive. You will need to have your puppy vaccinated, dewormed, micro chipped, and spayed or neutered. These services alone can add up to $500 USD.

After the initial year, you will need to keep up with yearly exams, vaccinations, deworming, and flea/tick control. Exam fees are usually around $55 USD (which only includes a physical exam). You will need to pay for the yearly vaccines along with an exam fee.

Vaccinations can cost up to $50 USD. Other products such as flea/tick preventative and heartworm medication may be necessary. Most all in one, monthly products have a price of $15 to $20 USD a month.

Commodities

If your dog is an outside dog, you must purchase an appropriate sized dog house and dog bed. The dog house and dog bed should be appropriate for cold and hot weathers. Dog houses run at a price of $25 to $100 USD. Beds are a bit less expensive ($20 to $40 USD) if you stick to simple designs. Bowls, leashes, harnesses, collars, and toys can add up to $50 a year.

Grooming

Grooming is an essential part of keeping your dog healthy. It is especially true for dogs that are high-maintenance. Some breeds like Poodles and Schnauzers require monthly or even bi-monthly grooming.

Having your dog professionally groomed will cost you at least $40 USD. A complete groom includes nail trimming, ear cleaning, clipping the coat, bathing, blow drying, and styling. You can save money if you learn to perform these tasks yourself.

As stated earlier, it all depends on your dogs’ size. The larger your dog, the more expensive the food, products, and services will be. This will at least give you an average on what to expect when acquiring a dog.

Unexpected health issues will many times add on to the cost of properly maintaining your dog. Pet insurance is available, and may help you manage different expenses that are necessary for your dog.

* http://gooddogtrainingadvice.com/OnlineDogTrainer.html