Who agrees? (in regards to owning a dog)?

Question

I don't understand why dog food, dog toys, treats, shampoo, etc is sooooo EXPENSIVE!....I mean, why is it that a simple dog toy costs a minimum of $4 most of the time, and pet stores such as pet co and petsmart ALWAYS sell everything at a very expensive price...it costs more to raise a dog than to raise a child..i'm serious......atleast some people can apply for gov. benefits 'n it makes it so easy to live out of some one else's money.....WHY don't dog owners (especially) receive this types of benefits as well?...that's why there's so many dogs at the pound because many people can't afford to raise them either...I just don't think that's fair at all!!!..........Vets and necessary supplies are very costly and pet owners always have to spend on everything without any support from no one.....and certain people with 2 kids or more get benefits from the gov. and all this places....well u people know what I mean.........................I JUST WANT TO LET OUT HOW I FEEL ABOUT ALL OF THESE!!!

I own 2 american pit bull terriers, and they have cost me sooo much money. I don't regret it but all i been thru with them has made me think about how a lot of us who own dogs should have some type of support....

Answer 1

Because stores and vets feel the need to rip people off. It's unfortunate, but true. I get what you're saying though. Stores charge a lot because they can. If people didnt buy the stuff, the stores would lower the prices so they would buy it. But people do pay the amount, so they keep selling it at the same rate.

Answer 2

Well, as far as vet costs go, that can be expensive and there isn't any way around that. You still need to get their rabies etc and they need their heartworm meds and you do need to keep their teeth clean and such. And obviously good food and the initial cost when you get a puppy (collars, leashes, puppy shots, etc.)

However, there are ways to cut costs on toys ( i bought a few and only let them have a couple at a time and rotate them out If they haven't seen a toy in a few days they think it is new).

A bag of rawhide pieces can last a long time for my little dogs.

If you have time you can bake your own treats.

Cute little costumes are fun but they aren't necessary and you can make your own for a lot less. I knitted a cute sweater for just the cost of the yarn.

I bathe mine with regular shampoo and their coats always look shiney and healthy.

If you have ever been to a pound or shelter you will find that most of them are big dogs. They started out as cute puppies and then grew so big that people did not have room for them in their yards or didn't know how to train them (digging big holes in the yard, chewing up furniture, not knowing how to potty train etc).

For most countries being able to take care of a dog as well as most Americans do is considered an extra thing that only people with extra income can afford to do.

Answer 3

I'll disprove you with ease. Man in the Mask is 100% wrong. There's no such name as "H. Sapiens Africanus". The word doesn't even exist. "Africanus" refers to a 2 million year old South African primate. Second, When referring to "Genus", you're referring to second in-lining of evolutionary ancestry. However, those two animals cannot interbreed, and cannot create fertile offspring. The very thing that defines a species is the ability to interbreed. If the Neanderthal man can interbreed with Homo Sapiens, than the Neanderthal man is in fact Homo Sapien. Thirdly, Dog breeds and Human race is not defined as the same concept. Dog breeds are man-made, forced to implement different traits for a desirable trait. Nature did not create the varies type of dogs, human did. Human race (phenotype), is determined by environment. The higher the UV rays in a area, the darker the skin. Every breed of Dog is a result of mixing two dogs of different traits to create new traits. In other words, new breeds/old breeds are in fact mutts/ descendent of mutts. It is when this mixture of physical trait, with an essential strong point on PHYSICAL. The thing is, race is just a concept, a division created by the human mind to explain the physical differences. Mental characteristics is not all genetic, but a result from environmental factors. If I am raised by a serial killer family, then it's more than likely I will become a serial killer as well. Also, I see the White Supremacist on tonight, out in full blast. Even going as far as making up their own terminologies. H. Sapiens Africanus? Really?

Answer 4

Yes, I agree that it is quite expensive to own a dog. I get very annoyed at the cost of everything, but it is nowhere near the cost of raising kids. I think if people do a little more research before buying a pet and the costs that are associated we will have less of a problem with over crowded pounds. I don't think there should be any type of assistance program for pet owners. If you can't afford a dog don't get one.

Answer 5

How much does it cost to raise a child?

"According to a study by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, a family with a child born in 2000 can expect to spend about $165,630 ($233,530 when factoring in inflation) for food, shelter and other necessities to raise that child over the next 17 years. "

"You should always consider the costs of having a companion animal. Food and collars are only two of a whole litany of expenses that the average pet owner will incur within a year. The ASPCA wants you to be ready to care for that new companion in all the ways he/she needs. We've compiled a list of expected annual costs for your new friend.

Small Dogs: They may be pocket sized and lovable but they're no small cost. While crate costs and spay/neuter fees are lessened, a smaller dog, like a Yorkshire terrier and pugs, can still cost nearly $800 annually.

Food Medical Toys License Misc.
$150 $150 $50 $15 $35
Collar Carrier Crate Grooming Spay/Neuter
$25 $30 $50 $200 $75
Total $780


Medium Dogs: Coming in a close second, medium-sized dogs, like beagles and cocker spaniels, are nearly the most costly pets, fetching up to $1,115 annually.

Food Medical Toys License Misc.
$250 $175 $60 $15 $45
Collar Carrier Crate Grooming Spay/Neuter
$30 $50 $90 $300 $100
Total $1,115


Large Dogs: Big dogs like golden retrievers, labrabors and Dalmatians may have a special place in your heart but get ready to make room for them in your wallet. Obvious expenses like food and crates for large dogs are high and first year total expenses can reach $1,500.

Food Medical Toys License Misc. Spay/Neuter Collar Carrier Crate Grooming Total
$350 $200 $70 $15 $65 $125 $35 $80 $160 $400 $1,500"

So I would think by reading these statistics that while it seems like dogs cost more actually it costs more to raise a child.
By the way you can buy toys, collars, leashes, etc. from Dollar stores for cheaper than Walmart.

Answer 6

Tis the hazard of owning a pet. I agree that prices have gone thru the roof for many things, but considering, the Vets, the items they must buy have also skyrocketed. Plus they must maintain insurance which is also high. The days of the old county vet coming by are gone. As to the toys, food and such, try some of the discount stores such as Dollar World or Dollar General. You can buy wholesome pet food, toys, collars, leashes and such for a fraction of what you are paying at other stores. And the products are just as good. Some better. I empathize with you but that is the way our world is going.

Answer 7

Well to raise a kid, throughout their whole entire lifetime, it cost at least $1,000,000
Dogs are so expensive because they're loving and great pets .
I don't think people that are dogs owners should get discounts, cause that's like saying, " ooooohhhhh yeah, adults should get discounts because they have kids"
I mean, I Agree, but i don't complain about prices, because i love my dogS enough, to not complain. And i have two dogs, about to get a third!


GOOD LUCK!!
P.S. if you want cheap places for dog stuff, don't go to Pet-Co, or PetSmart, try Uncle Bill's, it's across from the greenwood park mall, or across from the restaurant, On The Border.

Answer 8

Toys in the petstores cost so much simply because they CAN. There are not many places where you can buy cheap pet toys, because places have jacked the prices up so much... you pretty much has no other choice but to buy an expensive one from them, and they know we want toys for our pets because we love them so much!

Dog owners don't recieve benefits because a lot of times babies are accidental, you CHOOSE to buy a dog KNOWING the price of it. Plus, as much as i adore and love everything about animals, children are of higher matinence usually-- also the government feels somewhat responsible for the youth and cannot exactly deny the right of an innocent child to have a good life, an american citizen.

Answer 9

The reason is't expensive, is because you make it expensive. Dogs do not need toys or fancy leashes and collars. I got mine from Europe 20 years a go, in leather, and they are still in great conditions. They wear it when needed. The country store sells the same vaccine that the vets give, but it only costs $10 instead of $150. I give to them myself. I do not take them to the vet unless it's important. They all eat Canidae which is expensive, but, provides me with all the results I want to see. I got my crates on sale and payed $30 for a 400 and $120 for a 700. I have had them for years and they are still in great shape. The only people that spend money on their dogs are the ones that want to. Remember, dogs do not know the difference between cheap amnd expensive, YOU DO. The only thing you are satisfying when spending a ton of money on your dog for things he can do without is your ego.

Answer 10

Some suggestions. I know a family that shows AKC dogs and they use Suave to bath them. You can get dog toys for $1.00 at Wal-Mart, 20 lbs of dog food for $8.00 and a large bag of treats for $4.00ish. For yearly vaccinations I take my dogs to feed stores that have vets come in and give shots and blood work for heart worms at a very reasonable price.
I own two pit bull mixes and the only expensive thing for me is a trip to the vet if they get sick.
Also, unfortunately I am disabled and receive government benefits this is after working all my life as a productive member of society. I wish I could work. Best of luck to you.