How much does it cost to buy a dog from a pet store
Introduction
Did you know that it costs around $1,400 a year to care for a dog? And, if your pooch comes down with an illness or suffers from an injury, the bill can be thousands of dollars. In fact, according to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), pet owners spent over $13 billion on veterinary bills in 2016. So before you bring a new furry friend home, let’s talk about how much you should expect to spend.
Adoption fee.
Some shelters will charge you a fee, but others won’t. The amount of money you’re expected to pay will vary based on location and whether or not the shelter is non-profit. Check out your local animal control’s website; they’ll usually have a list of fees associated with adopting a dog from their facility.
If you can’t afford an adoption fee, don’t worry! There are other options available for dog owners who want to adopt but don’t have the financial means necessary:
- Adoption through a rescue group. Some dogs at shelters have been rescued from abusive situations or unspeakable cruelty cases, so they may be more expensive than others, even if adopting from just one shelter isn’t a possibility for whatever reason (personal preference). This is why it’s important to contact multiple rescue groups in your area if you’re looking for a specific breed or type of dog that isn’t typically found at your local shelter. The ASPCA has several resources on its website about how many different types of animals need homes and how much money people generally spend on them when buying from pet stores versus getting them from somewhere else (like another person).
Vaccinations.
Vaccinations are a necessity for your dog’s health and well-being. It’s important to get them from a veterinarian, but if you don’t have the money to pay for all of them, you may want to consider getting some vaccinations from a pet store.
There are many reasons why it’s smart to buy these vaccinations from the vet:
- Best practices dictate that the veterinarian should administer all shots in his or her office. This allows for close monitoring by medical staff in case any side effects occur; however, it is also an expense that many people can’t afford on top of their already high vet bills—and sometimes even with those bills paid up completely!
- Your dog will need additional vaccinations after getting those initial ones at the vet. For example, if they’re not born yet but still have time left before they go home with you (which usually happens around 8 weeks), then they’ll need their first set now so they can go back later on down closer towards 6 months old and get another set before being released into your care again after another few weeks or months pass over time spent away together while waiting patiently together under strict observation as part of quarantine protocols.)
Kennel care.
If you decide to go for a kennel, be prepared to make a commitment. A good kennel will obviously have amenities that make your dog comfortable, but it’s not just about what the dog can do while in its cage. You’ll also need to find a place for your pet when you’re away from home—which could mean boarding them at another high-end facility or caring for them yourself at home.
Depending on where you live and how much money you have, this can be an expensive option. For example, if your dog needs private care at home during the day and then goes into boarding during the night (and weekends), prices can easily reach $500 per month or more—and that doesn’t include food!
Neuter/spay fee.
Neutering is a surgical procedure to remove the testicles, while spaying involves removing the ovaries. Neutering and spaying are two of the most important procedures that can be performed on your dog. Not only do they prevent unwanted litters, but they also give pet owners peace of mind by ensuring their dogs will not have any accidental pregnancies or pass on genetic diseases to future generations of puppies.
If you plan to get a purebred puppy from somewhere other than a shelter or rescue group, it’s likely that your breeder will require you to neuter/spay before you can take possession of your new friend—but there are plenty of non-breeders out there who might not know this!
Health checkup and initial vaccinations.
- Make sure you get a health checkup and initial vaccinations for your new pet. Ask the breeder to show proof that their puppies have been checked by a vet and vaccinated against rabies, distemper, parvo (also known as parvovirus), kennel cough and other common diseases.
Teeth cleaning.
While it is a good idea for any dog to get his or her teeth cleaned by a professional, this is especially true for dogs with bad breath. Gum disease can lead to heart problems, so if your pet has bad breath and you’re not sure why, take him or her to the vet.
Teeth cleaning is also important if your dog has lots of tartar buildup on their teeth. Tartar buildup makes it difficult for the gums to hold onto the tooth roots, which could lead to your dog losing his or her teeth prematurely (especially if he or she chews on things like sticks and toys).
Food, toys, and treats.
You’ll have to buy a lot of food for your dog. The cost will vary depending on the type of food you buy, but it can be quite expensive. Some new toys and treats may also come with a price tag, but if you already have toys or treats at home that are in good condition, feel free to reuse them!
Identification tag.
Before you buy a dog, it is important to make sure that he has an identification tag. This can be placed on his collar or harness. The tag should contain his name, as well as your name and contact details in case he escapes from home.
It’s also essential that the information displayed on the tag is accurate and up-to-date. If your pet gets lost and ends up at a shelter or vet clinic, they’ll need to know who to contact if someone claims him/her as theirs (or if there are any concerns about how the animal was treated).
In order for this system to work effectively, it’s crucial that all pet owners have their contact details recorded somewhere so that they can be easily linked back up with their missing pets when needed. One way of doing this is by registering with organisations such as Pet Checker or Pawtrax which allow users to create profiles containing all necessary information – but there are other creative ways too! For example:
Dog walkers and pet sitters.
In addition to the cost of the dog itself, there are other expenses you’ll have to consider. If you don’t have time or space for a long walk every day, it’s likely that you’ll want to hire a dog walker or pet sitter. While not as expensive as hiring a dog trainer or buying pet supplies, these services can still add up quickly if used regularly.
If you’re able to take your new companion on daily walks yourself instead of hiring someone else (or supplementing their services), then this will save money in the long run. Similarly, if an occasional visit from a professional is enough for now until you’re ready for more frequent caretaking duties—like when it’s time for bed—then hiring them only once per week may be preferable over paying them more frequently and incurring unnecessary charges each month.
This is a starter figure for buying a dog but you should also take into account all these other costs as well
This is a starter figure for buying a dog but you should also take into account all these other costs as well.
Food: Depending on the size of your dog and its diet, you could be spending $20-$30 per week on food. If you have multiple dogs and they are eating different kinds of food (for example, if one is a puppy), then that would increase this cost even more.
Toys: You will need toys to keep them happy and occupied when home alone or when going for walks outside in inclement weather. Some toys are inexpensive but others may break quickly, so it’s good to shop around before making any purchases just in case there are better deals out there somewhere!
Treats: Some people give their pets treats every day while others only do so during training sessions or when special occasions occur (such as birthdays). I personally buy them treats whenever possible because my dogs love them so much! It helps keep their teeth clean too 🙂
Conclusion
If you are considering getting a new pet, you need to take the time to evaluate how much it will cost. Having a dog is not just about buying food and walking him; there are other expenses such as boarding when you go out of town or on vacation, grooming that can add up over time. It also helps if you have an idea for what type of animal might work best with your lifestyle and needs before making this purchase so that there aren’t any surprises down the line.