Obviously, both of these examples are extremes—the low-cost example is barely above the level of animal neglect, while the high-cost example involves a big-city dog that cannot be left alone and owners with deep pockets. However, this is also a healthy dog with no medical costs, aside from a bi-annual checkup and possibly some periodic lab work to establish baselines in case of illness. Dogs that have allergies, diabetes, heart conditions, arthritis, hip dysplasia, or any long-term illness can easily rack up medical bills that cost thousands for that condition alone.
Another consideration is that the dog in the example never needed to step foot in a grooming shop. For dogs that require regular grooming, you can expect to add another $50 every three to six weeks, depending on how fast their coat grows—this can add an average of $600 to the annual budget.
Thankfully, there are ways to help keep the costs down:
- Pet insurance is an affordable way to guard against sudden or unexpected vet bills. It’s easier to budget $25 a month than to find $2,500 overnight if your dog swallows a foreign object or breaks a leg.
- Feed high-quality food for the life of your pet! Cheap dog food is like living on fast food for humans—it fills the void, but the long-term damage to their system can lead to medical expenses far surpassing the initial cost of eating healthy.
- Ensure your pet maintains their ideal weight. Extra pounds take a toll on every system in their body, just like obesity adversely affects the human body.
- Yearly veterinary exams can catch underlying conditions while they are still easily manageable. For dogs over seven, bi-annual check-ups are recommended, as dogs age much faster than humans. Six months to a senior dog is the equivalent of four human years—much can happen in those four years!
- Regular visits to the groomer for dogs that require it are far cheaper in the long run. Groomers charge more (and rightly so) for dogs with matted, dirty coats that require more time per visit.
- Keeping their nails trimmed, ears clean, and teeth brushed can prevent vet bills for things like torn nails, ear infections, and costly dental cleanings.
- Avoid breeds of dogs that are known to have expensive medical conditions. For example, Shar-Peis are prone to allergies, and Pugs often develop heart conditions as they age.
Anticipating potential expenses and preventing them before they happen helps keep the cost of owning a dog within reason. Common sense—like crating a dog that chews when you are at work or away—can limit the amount of damage they can do to the house and themselves. Replacing a sofa or a kitchen can add up, as can vet bills when a dog eats something they shouldn’t or breaks a leg jumping off the kitchen counter after enjoying last night’s leftovers.
Before deciding to add a new dog to the family, carefully consider your budget. A dog is for life, and all too often, animals are turned over to shelters or given away because their owners cannot afford them. Responsible ownership means taking financial responsibility for your dog.
The good news is that, in the end, all a dog will ever ask for is your love and companionship. The cost of ownership is far outweighed by the many rewards of sharing your life with a pet.
