Tips On The Cost Of Owning A Dog
When people are looking at the puppy in the window, rarely do they think of the costs involved (other than the purchase price and possibly some supplies). That is a bad move because a pet is a major investment that will cost thousands of dollars. Here are three financial issues you should consider when purchasing a dog according to PetEducation.com:
1. The first concerns the purchase price of the dog. Many people balk at paying $500 to $1000 for a dog. They rationalize that they simply can not afford it and settle for a poorly bred $150 puppy instead. What a huge mistake. The cost of a guaranteed healthy, well-bred $1000 puppy is a fraction of what it will cost to own that dog for 12 years. A poorly bred dog with bad hips, allergies, and a not so bright disposition will end up costing you thousands more in medical bills not to mention hours of frustration and disappointment. At the same time, if you are not going to pay for a high quality purebred, then do the animal kingdom a favor and go to the shelter and get a mixed breed puppy that will be healthier and smarter than a poorly bred 'purebred.'
2. The second reason that the cost of owning a dog is important is that it is a big investment. This dog is going to cost you a lot of money, not to mention a tremendous amount of time. If you are not fully prepared to pay for a dog's needs and willing to spend a significant portion of your free time with the animal, then by all means do not get a dog. There are thousands of dogs put to sleep every year because the owners no longer want them or can not afford them.
3. The third important reason to understand what owning a dog costs is that when you realize what owning a dog costs, you will take the ownership and your responsibility much more seriously. We would not dream in investing $10,000 on a car that we know nothing about, had no warranty, we had not driven, and was completely unsuitable for our use. Yet people do this more everyday and they get a puppy without researching its breed characteristics, medical history, and parental history.
What do the costs come to? For an average 50 pound dog living in the Midwest, between $4,000 and $49,000 during the life of a dog. That's a good chunk of change which should lead you to take the time up front to educate yourself on the costs and responsibilities of dog ownership so that you know exactly what you're getting yourself into financially with that cuddly little guy.
Comments
$49,000 is a lot of dog food. That'd keep my girl fed for over 100 years. :-)
I found this page on PetPlace.com that gives the average upper end cost at around $13000.
That's still a lot of dog food, and trips to the vet can get VERY expensive. My girlfriend works in an animal hospital, and as much as she wanted a dog, she was worried about getting a dog of our own because she saw the bills that people were paying. After a few months she realized that the most expensive dogs had hypochondriac owners, and we soon after found Tango at a local shelter. Even at $13000+ over the course of her lifetime she's a steal.
All wrong! The cost of owning a dog is that someday you are going to have to make the worst decision in your life to have it put down because no more medicine is going to help. When you experience that day as I did 4 weeks ago with the old pup you will truly know what the cost is.
You can't put a price on unconditional love. Sharing your life with an animal is one of the most rewarding things a person can do. Worth every penny...
We currently have 2 cats and forked over about $1200 on one of them for chronic renal failure treatments last fall. I had to try, even though the vets (yes, we saw several, including at the emergency clinic for weekend fluids) were all pretty pessimistic. Dang if that cat isn't doing just peachy keen right now, 5 months later. I don't even give him the IV fluids, various medicines, etc., that the vet prescribed. He does still get Science Diet's special diet for CRF but even if he keeled over tomorrow, the money was worth it. To John, been there, done that several times and it never, ever gets easier to do it, but after a while, it feels better. Time is the great healer and very kind. It lets you remember the good times and gloss over the bad.
[...] Today’s sound money tip: Tips on the cost of owning a dog When people are looking at the puppy in the window, rarely do they think of the costs involved (other than the purchase price and possibly some supplies). That is a bad move because a pet is a major investment that will cost thousands of dollars. Here are three financial issues you should consider when purchasing a dog according to [...]
As someone stated the cost of unconditional love from your puppy is worth every penny. I've had my lil girl for two years now in April and we have not gone through extensive cost yet, we feed her 1/2 can of dog food daily and a cup of biscuits and each year I get her yearly vaccination and a heart-worming vaccine it does get costly so you do have to remember to budget for you lil puppy because I've seen many poorly nutritioned pets as people get lazy and think that our food is fine...it's not always the case! Pls consider before buying, this is a living thing much like a baby...would you return a baby to the hospital?
I just wanted to say that everyone is right. Dogs are lovable, kind, expensive, playful, and just about everything that a human is. But, has anyone considered, what isn't expensive these days. People could budget for their animals instead of a trip to the mall every weekend or those $10,000 vacations. Dogs are very passionate about their owners. I have had one for 4 years now, and he is the most magnificent animal I have ever owned. I would take nothing for this animal. I know it will be very difficult for my family and I when he dies, but his love is well worth it. I am preparing myself to become a breeder. This forum has helped me consider a few things. My family loves animals, and dogs are not the only thing in my home. I will say, though, that dogs certainly are more expensive than just about any other indoor pet. If you don't have the time a dog needs, then get a caged animal.
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[...] Tips On The Cost Of Owning A Dog - SeekingAlpha The third important reason to understand what owning a dog costs is that when … The cost of owning a dog is that someday you are going to have to make the … [...]
i wanted a dog until i came here... thank you.
cold, heartless, cheap, unloving, no medical training, life hating, horrible, surly peeps
I recently got a wonderful little puppy, I love him! Agreed, the expenses seem to add up, even if you think you are prepared for it. From a breeder, he cost me about the same amount of money as a trip to Mexico. The money I used to spend to go out a couple of times a week because I didn't want to go home to an empty apartment is used to pay a daily dogwalker. I am much more happy knowing my little guy is waiting for me at home. I live on a fixed budget and just use my money in a different way now. I am putting a little less into savings each week to save for a home, but he has brought such joy to my life. Sometimes I get a little scared and wonder if I did the right thing getting a doggie. Then I look at his beautiful face and I know I did!