Average cost of a small dog per year?

Question

Our family is considering adopting a dog. What would you say the average annual cost is-- food, vet fees, vaccinations, etc.? He is a small maltese boy from a local shelter. What else should we be aware of?

Answer 1

Depends on if you are doing the grooming yourself. Maltese need lots of brushing and grooming. Yearly, I spend about $170,on dog food and treats, approximately $100 for routine vet bills (annual shots, checkup) and another $200 for allergy medicine, front line, heart worm medicines. I do my own grooming so was out initially $129 for the clippers; shampoo runs about $6 a month. You can go hog wild spending on toys, leashes, etc.

You will enjoy your maltese more if you regularly groom him; brush him every day (only when his coat is dry, no wet grooming please) and only bath once a week. Too much bathing will dry his skin out. Hope this helps.

Answer 2

Small dogs are pretty reasonable and affordable. First, if there is a petsmart and they have a banfield, go there. I took my dogs there before I move and I miss them. They really care about the animals and they have these healthcare plans that are awsome. during a puppy's first six months are the most costly because you have to keep them up to date on their shots evry month. this is where the health plan they offer really kicks butt! I saved over $600! once the dog is a year old. vet care really isn't that expensive. Dogs get shots once a year and for my 45 pound shepherd greyhound mix I updated her for $150 for the year! and heartguard and flea/tick medicine is about another $100 or so for six months. Food is very cheep for small dogs because they don't have big apetites. Iams is the best food and not very expensive. Even if you find a cheeper food, stick with Iams. You wouldn't give your kids McDonalds 3x a day for the rest of their lives?! Toys might be a little costly, but if you get between 10 to 15 toys, let the dog play with 5 at a time for a month or two then switch out a toy or two every month or two. this will keep the dog interested and toys that stick around and become 5 years old will seem new all over again, over and over again! The only time dogs get expensive is if there is a medical emergency and kenneling. Other than that, they're pretty affordable. I trained my dogs on my own using several books for referance rather than using a trainer and I have been complimented on their obedience and they are very surprised when they find out it is my own training. that saved me a lot of money as well. And I also own a 5 pound dog, and yes, the smaller ones ARE more affordable. Have fun researching breeds and discovering your preferances and GOOD LUCK!

Answer 3

Exluding start up fees like beds, toys, leashes the dog, spaying or neutering etc. Your prob looking at AU $3-6 a day in food depending on size and the quality of food you plan to feed it, Yearly vaccnatiions and vet check ups allow $100 a year, Also obedience club membership around $50 a year or private training lessons around $30-$50 per hour, you can't predict emergency vet visits or how much they cost they can be anywhere from $100 into the thousdands. Also worming and flea control (which ranges in prices) For a year excpect to pay atleast $1000 + for normal upkeep of an adult dog Good luck with you future pup.

Answer 4

Congratulations! It's great to hear that you are getting a dog from the shelter instead of buying from a pet store or breeder. The cost of keeping a dog can vary greatly, depending on how you prioritize things. You could be the type to spend $300 on a froofy bed, or you could spend $15 for a comfy pillow for the little guy. The few things you can't get around are:

Approximately $90 per year for heart worm preventative
Approximately $90 per year for flea preventative
Approximately $350 per year for good quality food (one of the perks of a little dog is that they don't eat much)
Approximately $300 per year for vaccinations and routine vet visits

Then you come to the expenses which may vary dramatically-

Do you spend $30 for combs and shampoo or do you bring the dog to the groomers?

Does your dog have any health problems or injuries which will increase the vet expenses?

Do you buy a simple leash and collar for $20, or do you go all out and get a custom collar with the dog's name written in rhinestones?

The list can go on and on- I'd say plan on $1200 for the bare minimum expenses. It could go much higher if the dog has any health problems / injuries, or if you decide to really spoil it.

Answer 5

I have a medium sized dog, and our vet fees run about 200 a year (we get all the extras) and foodwise, I would say about lets see she eats 2 bags of food a month at 10 bucks a bag....so thats lets see 240....so our dog costs us about 440 not counting treats...toys, and an ocasional emergency vet trip (which thankfully was only like twice in 6 years...she had an alergic reaction to a dog treat, and then she killed a skunk, and we went and got her a rabies booster shot just to be safe) i would have to say all in all she costs us about 600 a month.

Answer 6

Where I live the yearly liscencing, which is $5. Vet appointments which are $65-125. Dog food which has a variety of price ranges. Nessecities (bed, shampoo, toys, medicines) have a variety of price ranges also. So my best guess is $1000 to $3000 per year.

Answer 7

call a local vet and ask about their fees. a maltese also needs to have special shampoo to keep their fur white but you can get that from Petsmart or Petco. they don't eat nearly as much as a big dog but the cost will depend on what kind of food you buy. do you plan to groom him yourself? Grooming fees vary and he would need a monthly appointment.

Answer 8

vaccinations about 150.00 a year, food 30.00 a month. grooming 30.00 a month, heartworm prev. 60.00 a year. flea control 60.00 a year. Maltese have bad teeth so dentals with extractions every 6 months if you are lucky yearly at about 300.00 each coming from the shelter he should be already neutered.that could cost 300.00 a Maltese is a high maintenance little dog.

Answer 9

should b around $800 to $1000 a year considering small dogs HAVE to have there teeth cleaned @ least once a year to prevent heart damage. that cost $200 itself.

Answer 10

$250