Introduction
The amount you will have to spend every year on a dog depends a lot on what kind of dog you’ll buy. If you’re planning to buy a purebred puppy or an already grown up dog, then you’ll have to pay somewhere around 600 bucks. If the dog is small, feed costs might not be that high, but large dogs eat a lot and that’s why their food will be the highest cost for owners. On top of the food costs are all other expenses related to the pet and according to a research from vetinfo.com, they come with an annual price tag of 1096$ for feeding, grooming, kennel boarding, training and misc expenses.
The American Humane Association conducted a study that showed that the average cost of owning a dog is $1,570 a year. That number might seem high to you, but it’s actually on the lower end of the spectrum. The most common estimate for a first-year cost of ownership is around $2,000 and can rise as high as $15,000 depending on the breed and size of dog.
Food
The average dog eats between 0.5 and 1 pound of food per day, so it’s important to know how much to feed your dog. However, not all food is created equal: you’ll need to switch up your pup’s diet as she grows up and her needs change.
If you have a very large breed dog, there are some foods that are better for them than others; these include Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Dry Adult Large Breed Dog Food and Purina Pro Plan Select Sensitive Stomach Chicken & Rice Formula Dry Dog Food with Real Beef & Vegetables. These brands are known for being healthy options with low-fat content (less than 10 percent). If your pup has a sensitive stomach or gastrointestinal issues, this type of food may be worth trying out first before moving on to something else!
Treats
Treats are a great way to reward your dog. They can be expensive, though. Some are healthier than others and some cost more than others. Making your own treats can save you money and help you know exactly what goes into them. You can also find cheap treats online, often at warehouse discount stores like Costco or Sam’s Club.
Toys
- $20 – A toy made from rubber with squeakers inside. It’s fun to play with and can also be used as a chew toy when it’s worn down.
- $100 – A high-end plush doll that comes complete with fur, accessories and an adoption certificate.
- $1000 – A custom-made hand-woven stuffed animal by an artisan who specializes in making stuffed animals for other people’s pets.
Boarding or pet sitter
The cost of boarding or pet sitting is highly dependent on where you live. In some areas, the average cost of a weekly visit to a dog sitter is $10 per day ($50 per week), while in other places it can be more than double that.
Asking around will give you an idea where your area’s average rates fall, but they’ll also help narrow down which type of service will work best for your dog and family situation. If your pooch doesn’t like being left alone or has trouble relaxing in new situations, then it may be worth paying more for someone who offers daycare services during the day—but if he’s already used to being boarded away from home and sleeps through most days anyway, then perhaps all you need is someone who stops by once or twice a day for play time and bathroom breaks. Some pet sitters offer both options; others might only provide one or another depending on their specialties (for example: some do not offer daycare at all).
It’s also important to consider what kind of personality your pup has when deciding how much to pay for his caretaker(s). If he’s friendly with strangers but wary of new environments (like unfamiliar dogs), then hiring someone who lives nearby would probably be best—and conversely if he gets nervous around other animals but enjoys interacting with people at length (like kids), then bringing him somewhere away from home might actually be beneficial!
Insurance
- Pet Insurance
If you’re worried about the cost of vet bills, pet insurance is an option. It can be purchased through a provider like VPI or Petplan and covers a variety of services. Pet insurance can provide coverage for routine visits to the veterinarian, surgery and other medical care, medication and treatments like acupuncture or hydrotherapy. Some plans are comprehensive while others may only cover accidents or illnesses that occur outside of normal preventative care.
- Annual Cost: $600 – $1,200 (depending on age and breed)
License and registration
You can register your dog at the animal control office closest to you, which is usually located in your town or county. You’ll need to bring proof of rabies vaccination and microchip registration, as well as your dog’s rabies tag (if applicable). The cost of registering varies from place to place, but expect it to be somewhere between $10-$30.
Registration isn’t a one-time thing; it’s an ongoing process that requires periodic renewal. This means there may be fees associated with this process on top of those for initial registration.
For example: In New York City and Baltimore, both require annual renewal fees for dogs over six months old (New York City: $5/year; Baltimore: $20/year).
Training classes
Training classes can help you and your dog learn how to live together. It’s a great way to build a relationship with your pet, as well as learn how to teach them basic obedience training.
Training classes can help you learn how to handle your dog properly when walking on the street, socializing with other dogs in the park and around other people, or even just when going into a new environment like an office building.
Training classes are also a great place for owners who don’t have much experience handling dogs or puppies learn about how best approach training their pets so they grow up healthy and happy!
Routine veterinary care (vaccinations, heartworm and parasite preventives, etc.)
Routine veterinary care (vaccinations, heartworm and parasite preventives, etc.)
The cost of routine veterinary care varies widely depending on the type of pet you have and where you live. In general, however, it’s important to remember that your dog will need some form of preventive medicine throughout its life. This can include vaccinations, heartworm medication or flea control product.
Routine veterinary visits are important because they make sure your dog stays healthy—and they also give you an opportunity to bond with your pet! When was the last time you cuddled with a doctor?
Vaccinations: Vaccines help protect pets against serious diseases like rabies and distemper by boosting their immune systems so that if contracted by a virus or bacteria entering through their nose or mouth from another animal (or human) they’re able to fight it off quicker than they normally could without getting sick first before being vaccinated against said disease – which means less time spent in quarantine at home waiting for symptoms not showing up yet before coming back out again…
Medical emergencies and illnesses
When you’re considering the cost of your new pet, it’s easy to forget about the possibility of a medical emergency. However, as any pet owner knows, these kinds of emergencies can be very expensive. They might even require immediate attention at an animal hospital or veterinary clinic.
To prepare yourself for unexpected vet bills and keep costs down in the future, make sure your dog gets regular checkups at least once per year so that minor issues are caught early on and treated before they become major ones. Also consider purchasing pet insurance; this will help cover any expensive procedures or treatments that may arise during their lifetime with no additional cost to you.
The average annual cost of a dog is about $1700.
While the average cost of a dog is about $1700, it can vary depending on the type and breed of any given dog.
While some dogs are considered “low maintenance”, others require extensive training and care. The following table illustrates how much it costs to own an average dog over its lifetime:
Average yearly cost of a dog: $1700
Average cost of food each year: $270
Average cost of treats each year: $40
Average cost of toys each year: $80
Average boarding/pet sitter fees per month (if applicable): $50-$100 (low-end) or up to $200+ (high-end)
Conclusion
Remember, this is the average for a medium-sized dog. Smaller dogs, like Chihuahuas or Pomeranians, will likely cost you less in terms of food and medical care. Larger dogs, such as German Shepherds or Great Danes, will probably increase your costs.