Average Cost Of A Dog
Introduction
If you’ve decided to get a dog, it’s important that you know what you’re getting into and how much of an investment both financially, emotionally and in terms of time it will take. Depending on the breed you choose and your lifestyle, the actual cost can vary wildly. One way to find out is by using this calculator which gives a great summary of costs for dogs based on their breed and weight range.
Maintenance cost
The average cost of maintaining a dog is up to $50 per month. Some of the expenses include:
- Vaccinations, usually given every three years.
- Flea treatments, one of the most common aspects of pet care and which will typically cost $10-30 per month depending upon the size and weight of your dog.
- Worming tablets or topical treatments (around $20 per month). These are often administered along with flea treatment, as they’re meant to work together in order to kill off any parasite infestations that may be affecting your pet’s health.
The other costs include: diet and vet care; these aren’t included in this calculation because we’re assuming that you’re already feeding your dog properly at home (which is why we’ve assumed $25/month for food!)
Once you’ve bought or adopted a dog, the ongoing maintenance costs are what will probably be most important to you. This can include vaccinations, flea treatments, worming tablets and other medication, along with diet and vet care.
Once you’ve bought or adopted a dog, the ongoing maintenance costs are what will probably be most important to you. This can include vaccinations, flea treatments, worming tablets and other medication, along with diet and vet care.
The average cost of owning a dog in the UK is £1284 per year according to the Kennel Club. That’s £62 (or $85) per month on average, but it’s important to remember that this figure doesn’t take into account larger expenses like travel costs to take your dog for walks or training classes. It also depends on where you live; if you’re in London or other major cities then these fees could be higher than average due to increased prices for vets’ services and high rents which make it harder for owners who rely on public transport alone!
Food, bedding and bowls
The cost of dog food is a huge factor in the overall price of owning a dog. You can buy a bag at your local pet store for $20 or even $30, but this amount will only last you two weeks if you have an average-sized dog. A good rule of thumb to follow is that it should cost about $0.50 per pound per day to feed your pup depending on its size and activity level.
A high-quality bedding such as sheepskin or fleece costs around $10-$15, which means that it may only need replacing once every few months if you wash it regularly—or less often if your dog has very little hair loss due to shedding (or none at all). However, some dogs are not so lucky and need more frequent replacement because they suffer from constant scratching due to allergies or other skin conditions; these types of beds are more expensive than standard ones but also last longer as well because they come with higher quality materials like wool fibers which don’t tear easily under pressure like cotton does when exposed too long without being cleaned properly first time around.”
The single biggest cost of having a dog is the food – and it’s not just the cost of the food itself that you need to consider. You’ll also want to factor in all the associated costs, such as bowls for water and food, comfy beds for their relaxation and toys for their enjoyment, plus treats to reward them when they’ve done something well (which will be often!).
The single biggest cost of having a dog is the food – and it’s not just the cost of the food itself that you need to consider. You’ll also want to factor in all the associated costs, such as bowls for water and food, comfy beds for their relaxation and toys for their enjoyment, plus treats to reward them when they’ve done something well (which will be often!).
It’s important to note that treats aren’t necessary! Many people have dogs that are perfectly happy with a bowl full of plain old kibble three times per day. But if you do enjoy using them as rewards from time to time, there are ways to keep them affordable:
- Buy generic brands instead of name brands;
- Buy bulk packages at warehouse clubs like Costco instead of individual bags at grocery stores;
- Look for coupons online before making any purchases so you can save even more money!
There are many factors that determine how much it would cost to raise a dog
You can expect to spend the following amount on a dog, based on the breed:
- $500-$1,000 for a puppy
- $250 for food, supplies and toys over the course of one year
- $300-$600 for routine vet visits
Conclusion
The figures above are so variable, because there are so many different factors that affect the cost of raising a dog. It can be anywhere from about $550 to $12,000 over the course of the first year alone, depending on where you buy your pup and how much attention you want to give them. The ongoing maintenance costs after this should be relatively consistent though – we’ve got it all broken down for you in our blog on the true cost of owning a dog.