Can anyone tell me how much a dog costs to take care of?

Question

I am hoping to get a large breed dog from a shelter, just wondering how much it will cost me to feed and insure and groom and stuff. Thanks.

Answer 1

Cost varies slightly depending on how much you can afford to spend.

My westie cost -
Extendable Lead £10.99
Harness @ cost - £9.99
Crate - £35.00
Bowls - £5.99
Collar - £4.99
Grooming stuff - £15.99
2 weeks jw biscuits - £5.99
1 months insurance - £14.00
Grooming parlour (every couple of months) - £14.00
Wormers - £2.70 per tab (1 tab per 10kg)
Flea stuff every 4 months - £14.50

The cost for a large breed would only be slightly more expensive insurance would prob be less if hes a cross breed (westies are high risk). He prob wouldn't need grooming parlour unless he's got long hair. You also need to be aware of possible vets bill if he needs any treatment most insurance have excesses etc.
Iam with Mark/Spencers the excess was optional so I dont pay one. Also make sure you get lifelong cover not just for 12months.
She was worth the money, she's a pleasure. She also cost me a new laptop cable, new slipper, lino in the outhouse.

Answer 2

I have a small dog, and it's VERY expensive to keep her. We have learned, however, where we can cut our costs, such as grooming. We bought clippers and a video tape, asked ALOT of questions of groomers and vets and have saved more money than I could count up at this point. My daughter has been bathing and grooming her for about 6 years now, and has gotten so good people stop and ask where I take her! Food, well, I think they should have a nutritionally sound food, but some people feel as though the cheap stuff is fine, because it's a dog. But to me, feeding her crappy food is like me eating fast food everyday. Not a good thing. But, it's a matter of opinion. Some people eat fast food everyday and are ok with it. I get her shots when our township offers them free. She has had to have bladder surgery (over $1,000.00) and has numerous ear infections, which, she sees the Vet for. Skin allergies when she was younger which feeding her better food has eliminated. The bottom line is, if you want an animal, you then have to take the responsibility of it. If it needs a doctor, you cannot justify not taking her/him for ANY reason. Not time or money or anything. Same with food. You can't say, well, I'll get the good stuff sometimes but if I can't afford it 1 month, I'll get the cheap stuff. They get upset stomachs, you can't do that. So, don't let your love of animals "blind" you. If you can't afford it, don't do it! It's a long term commitment. Volunteer at a shelter to get and give your "animal love" lol. Good luck!

Answer 3

keep in mind-- the larger the breed, the more expensive to care for. Vets charge by the pound for many procedures. Thus a great dane would cost much more than a pomeranian EACH time you have something done. This is also true with groomers. Our 35 pound dog only cost around $25 last time he was groomed... compared to $45 for our 70 pounder. Food is also a large concern. Unless you plan on feeding your dog the cheapest food you can buy from Wal-Mart, expect to spend upwards of $35 per bag of a quality food. (We use Dog Chow-- it's about $18 for a large bag). Big dogs eat much more than smaller dogs. A large bag will only last a few weeks (possibly less, depending on the breed). Training is also very expensive. Larger dogs need to have manners.

Then, you also have to consider all of the necessities your dog needs. A bed, leash, collar, tags, licenses, feeder, waterer, toys (Nylabones are great--- but expensive), chew toys, treats, etc. These items are not a one-time-only expense either. They all need to be replaced-- some of them often.

Last but not least..... the cost of replacing or repairing YOUR things that are damaged by your new friend. Dogs are dogs. Dogs chew. Dogs get bored when left alone. They will eat your shoes, eat your couch, claw at the door, pee on the carpet, etc. If you are a renter, expect to pay a hefty pet deposit if you can even FIND a place that will allow pets over 35 pounds. Good luck with that.

A dog is a lifetime commitment. They live 10-15 years. Now, take all of those expenses I mentioned and multiply it by that much.

I am not trying to discourage you, but many dogs end up in shelters for this exact reason. Larger breeds are even more common. In my opinion, a dog is the best companion you will ever have... as long as you love it unconditionally and provide it with everything it needs.

Good luck!! And Happy Shopping!!

Answer 4

Insurance will be around £15-£20 a month
Food can be £6-£8 a week for dried food a bit more if you feed it tin food
Grooming costs between £20 & £50 depending on size and type of coat per groom which could be every 3 weeks to once a year again depending on type of coat.

remember also insurance only covers you for the big problems, normally there is a £50-£100 excess which means every time it comes to under this amount you will have to pay it.

dogs also need toys, treats, collors, leads, bedding, brushes, regular flea & worming treatments etc and this all costs extra as well.

Good Luck with your new addition to your family it is best to be prepared

Answer 5

how longs a piece of string?

It depends what you want to feed complete, tinned or Barf. (raw food)
I would ring a few vets to see how much boosters are etc as these are not covered by insurance, I would also ring a few pet insurers, and depending on age of the dog and the area you live so ring a few to get an accurate quote. Also look up the breed or breeds if a cross and find out what if any hereditary illnesses ie. Hip dysplaysia Epilepsy as you might have to deal with this in the future

leads collars crates dishes etc go to your pet shop or on-line and see the best price as you will have to replace these at one time or another.

pet classes are a must for rescues as it help teach you and the dog how to behave and it's fun for both you and the dog,

but it is not cheap to own a dog, maybe if you are worried about cost you should have a smaller breed, but they can cost a bit too

If you groom it yourself you will help with the developement of your bond with him her there are plenty of books on how too groom but if it helps I charge £40 to bath and groom a GSD

Answer 6

A lot!!!!
Pet insurance is advertised for dogs from about £10 a month.
I have a small dog that eats one normal sized can of meat a day, the cheapest that she'll eat (for 6 cans) costs £2 obviously this lasts 6 days, then she has dried food also (only meal) but this is about £2 for a 5kg bag this lasts about 2 weeks. If you getting a large dog your going to have to at least double this amount of food.
Your big costs are going to be the vet bills, yearly booster injections, worming, defleaing stuff and I have no idea how much they are for a big dog.

I have 2 small house cats and not including any vet bills it costs me £50 a month to keep them.

I read on a website somewhere that it'll cost between £750 - £1500 a year to keep a medium to large dog.

Good Luck

Answer 7

Assuming the dog has already had all its first shots...you may be surprised that it's not that expensive. Each year, the animal will need a booster of rabies (~$30), a booster of DHLP (~$20), monthly heart worm pills ($~30-40 for 6 month supply), optional monthly application of Advantage flea and tick medication (~$10-15 a month), and basic grooming is about $20-30 usually once every 6 weeks. Of course, this varies according to whether it's just a basic wash, or if you get the trim, ears cleaned, nails clipped, and application of Advantage. As for food, my 3 large breeds eat 1 50lb. bag of food every 2 1/2 weeks. So, you may need a 50lb. bag a month. All-in-all, I'm guessing around $600 a year. But won't it be the best $600 you've spent? Oh, and most heart worm meds cover most other worms (hook, whip, tape etc.)

Answer 8

That depend's on how well you want to take care of the dog. The food is probable about 20 dollar's a bag. Then you need some toy's that depend's on how much you want to spoil it. The vet would be the most costly. A visit and shot's could be about $120 a visit. Then if it get's sick are you willing to take him to the vet. Once they are up to date on shot's they should only need one visit a year to the vet. Rabies you can get from a vet or some pet store's or your township usually run's a Rabie's clinic once a year. That is up to you.

When my one cat got sick she cost me $5000 in vet bill's. After she passed away my new cat is healty and only cost a visit to the vet once a year. All depend's on how you want to treat them and how much you spoil them.

A dog is not very expensive but you could call your local veterinary and get a idea on some price's.

Pet grooming would probable go by how much you have done Normally $65 to $85. They charge diff for nail's or bathing a shave depend's again on what you have done.

Insurance goes by age if you start while they are young and vet checked it could be like $25 a month. Cancer insurance is cheaper if they are under 1 year and you get it insured. If they are over a year the insurance goes up for the cancer portion. For added Cancer insurance under a year is like $2 to $5 dollar's. Over a year it get's higher. Good luck to you and your new pet.

All and All I don't think it is all that expensive. Unless the animal come's up sick it is uaually pretty inexpensive.

I'm happy to hear another pet from a shelter may be getting a home.

Answer 9

well, my dog isnt insured, nor is she a large breed, but i can tell you what we've spent on her so far - shes 8 months old, we've had her for 6 months.
adoption fee (first vaccinnes included)- $75
Vet fee for finding out the litter had parasites (meds required) - $65
spaying (laser) + 2 nights stay at the vet- $120
finding out kennel cough vaccines wears off after 4 months - $35
finding out dogs get pink eye - $68

and i havent even started on non medical!!! lol. (i would recomend the insurance at this point) i'd say we go thru a 50lbs bag of food every month, i think its about $48. toys, we went a little over board, so i'm going to estimate about $100. flea & tick control - $50 every 3 months. electric fence $350. crate $75

so i guess in the 6 months we've had her, we've spent over $1000

but there are also things that are unexpected. like when i got my last dog, about 3 weeks after having her my other dog popped her eye out and we had to have emergancy surgry at like 5am. she's also since had double knee surgry. my other dog (no passed) had some random inner ear disorder that cost a couple grand to figure out. both these dogs have lived to 15 (ones still going). so if i'm averaging 1K every 6mos.... geeze these girls are expensive! lol and the new pup hasnt even gotten a vacation at the borders!

Answer 10

it cost me £10 a month to insure my lab

Jabs they only get every 2 to 3 years ( http://www.haleveterinaryhospital.co.uk/html/pdf/Factsheets/Dog/24_265528.pdf)

worming, feeding its not much really through the year. Make sure you get it insured as if it becomes ill your bills could run into thousands.
Grooming shouldnt cost anything if you do it yourself brush ur pooch every week, brush their teeth you may have to take them to get their claws cut at the vets every few years depends on how quick they grow.
If you get it from a shelter it should have had its jabs, been wormed etc before you take it home.
A life time of friendship and unconditional love makes it all worthwhile.

Enjoy your new friend xx

Phone up yor local vets they will give you the costs and how often they need jabs