pet expense?

Question

Hi, we are considering our first pet. I have grown up with a dog myself and I know the tremendous difference that brought to my life. Now when my kids want to have one, I cannot deny the same for them. However, I am not sure about typical expenses of a dog. I know it has a lot of bearing on the size of it. Let's say 50lb.
I am interested in knowing what kind of expenses - meals, medical, grooming etc I am facing. Please help.

Answer 1

I think that when ever somone's looking for a dog/puppy but dosent know what to get they should go to the pound and find the perfect dog/puppy then you are saving a dog/puppys lfe

Answer 2

er, I may not be such a great example. Before I got my dog Flop I had never heard of Agility, nor did I have a car. So, with that in mind:

dog $ 108.75 at shelter
vet $ 200.00 1st checkup
crate $45 (used)
books (training etc) $100
toys+treats $ 100 initially
food $ 20 / month (Wellness kibble, and Prairie wet)
agility classes $150 / month
agility trial entries $75 / month or thereabouts
car $850
maintenance of car $ don't want to talk about it

Lucky for me, the vet expenses have been minimal. I have to be sure to have extra $ available for an emergency (had to take him to emergency vet this summer once, and once 2 years ago for digestive thing) I might complain about the expense of the car, and the agility classes I take and the trials I go to, but those are all things that I chose to do. I spent a lot on training books and classes and now plan to become APDT-certified, so I can write those things off as educational expenses, which helps!

Answer 3

country

Austria?? Argentina?? Australia??

getting a pup will cost alot more.. not only are they more expensive but puppy food is more $, the pup will need more vaccinations, and spaying or neutering, and Obedience lessons...

if you get an adult then most initial costs are often already done by previous owner.. so they are more cost effective in the long run. (especially if already spayed or neutered)

with kids.. I strongly encourage getting an adult dog - more settled, less jumpy etc..
I suggest going to your local SPCA or animal shelter and looking at the dogs they have - sometimes you have to go back 3-4 time before finding the right dog BUT over all adopting makes better choice than buying from a stranger who cannot offer any guarantees..

NEVER NEVER buy from a pet store - you will pay TOO Much for a low quality pet...

ok again.. without knowing where you live its impossible to say a price... grooming may or may not be costly depending on the breed.. call around in your area and ask or talk to the people at your SPCA.. most SPCA's offer informational "cost sheets" relative to your area and can help you greatly with unbiased information (pet stores will lie in order to get a sale)

Answer 4

Well, here are your minimum's for a large breed puppy:
Crate
High-quality kibble, such as Natural Balance, NOT Iams or the store brand
Collar
Leash
Food bowl
Water bowl
Kong toy for playtime/anxiety relief
Squeaky toy
Soft bed for crate and then for sleeping in his/her "place"
ID tag, and hopefully, a microchip

So that's:
$60
$30 every two months or so for a bag
$6
$6
$5
$5
$4
$4
$40
$2 and $40 for a microchip
and for the vet exams which are a must:
exam: $35
vaccines: $100 for the first year

There are other things you will end up buying as well. Chews, Rawhides, other toys, vet emergencies, ear medications if you have a floppy eared dog, and the list goes on.

If you are not 100% prepared to care for this puppy with the utmost care and expenses, then you should reconsider until you are ready and able.

Answer 5

I can only speak from the clinic I work for, and the food I feed, but here's what I typically spend (all costs are at consumer cost, not my employee "discount")...

Eukanuba food ~ $60/month (my dog his a high metabolism, so you may not have to feed as much, and he's on a vet prescribed allergy diet, which you also wouldn't have to feed)

Skin/Coat/Joint Supplements ~$300/year

Vaccines ~ $120/year (includes DHLPP, Corona, Intranasal Bordatella, 3-year Rabies)

Heartworm/Parasite/Fleas/Ticks/Mosquito prevention ~ $200/year, plus $30 every other year for a heart worm test

Toys that he distroys and I have to replace ~ $200/year

My current dog does not need grooming, and since I do his toenails we don't have to go anywhere for any "beauty treatments" but our last dog, a Cocker Spaniel, was groomed every 6-8 weeks at ~ $50 a visit

I would budget at least 800-1000 in excess expenses, especially for the first year you own it. That would include spaying or neutering, bowls, kennel, doggie doors, puppy kindergarten/new pet obedience classes, etc.... I would also budget a similar amount yearly for illnesses, cuts, scratches, etc. You may never have to use it, but it's good to have it just in case.

Some of the things I do (expensive food and supplements specifically) are not necessary. However, I would caution you to feed the best food you can afford. The lower quality of the food, the more you have to feed to get the proper nutrients into the dog. I don't have the exact figures with me, but usually its anywhere from 15 to 40 cents cheaper per day to feed a better quality food. Also, better food leaves less waste in your yard. The supplements are a good idea, but not needed for every dog. I have access to it, so I give them, and I recommend them, but not every dog needs them, nor does every owner have to give them. Best of luck, as you said, dogs make great companions when you're young. I know I enjoyed having pets around when I was little and plan on passing that experience on if I have children.

Answer 6

I think it's great that you want a dog for your kids. We just got one and then another. They were healthy and had their first shots and vet visits when we got them.I take them to the shelters clinics for their rabies shots, 5$ a pop that way rather than an office visit. We have a vet lined up if something happens. We buy a big bag of food about every two weeks for about 20 bucks. Our pit bull cost us 150 and the mini hound cost us 25. We bought a crate for our pit, 65$, we get toys and chews and doggie shampoo. We bought collars and leashes, all that was probably 50$. they are great dogs and the kids love them. Honestly my kids like the little dog better because they can carry him around easier than the big guy. It's really been worth it. Dogs arn't cheap, but they really add to your life.
Good luck

Answer 7

You will ofcourse have the initial vet expenses. Health check, vaccinations etc. Then a year later you will need to do this all over again...plus heartworm meds monthly, flea and tick prevention. Medical expenses are a major portion of dog ownership, it isn't cheap but necessary.

Answer 8

I have got a papillon because they suit themselves to your life style and go with any schedule you have mostly.
But for a 50lb dog.
Go to petfinder.org. and look up all the animals. the front page of each letter will tell you something about the dog. Then the thrifty nickel will have all kinds of pets. Or your animal shelter.
Good luck to you and your family.