How Much Does It Cost To Have A Dog
Introduction
If you’ve ever lived with a pet in your life, then you know all too well just how much they can actually cost. Sure, the price of a dog or cat may be minimal at first, but the daily costs add up quickly and can set you back a pretty penny if you aren’t careful. More often than not, people don’t even realize just how much it costs to keep a pet until they have one! So today we’re going to break down exactly what you can expect when it comes to owning a puppy in terms of finances so that you can make an educated decision on whether or not this is something that’s right for your wallet.
Food
You should feed your dog at least three times a day, ideally twice. If you have multiple dogs, they may need to eat more often than that.
After each meal, pick up any food that hasn’t been eaten and put it in the trash. This will prevent your dog from eating too much at one time and getting sick as a result of overeating.
You can buy small bags of dry kibble or large bags of canned dog food at pet stores or supermarkets (in some cases). You should get the kind of food recommended by your vet for a healthy diet for your canine companion; if you are unsure about what kind of food is best for him or her, talk to your veterinarian about it!
Healthcare
The cost of healthcare for your dog can vary significantly depending on their health. The most common costs include:
- Vaccinations and boosters
- Neutering (spaying or castrating)
- Dental procedures, including cleaning, extractions and root canal work
- Routine checkups with a veterinarian
- Emergency care for injuries such as broken bones or internal bleeding. Examples: car accidents, getting hit by cars or trucks as they run across the street looking for squirrels or other animals – this is not uncommon!
- Surgery to address an injury that requires an operation – examples include torn ligaments in their legs/hips after jumping off something like a table too high; eye surgery because his eyelid has been torn away by another animal during a fight between them…and so many other things! Sometimes there may be associated medications/supplies needed during recovery as well.’
Dog-proofing your house
Dog-proofing your house is essential for both you and your dog. It will help avoid accidents, damage, injuries, and lawsuits. By providing your pet with a safe environment to live in, you’re doing the right thing by them—and yourself!
Accidents happen when dogs are left unsupervised or are exposed to unsafe situations. This can be anything from swallowing something on accident like a toy or candy bar left out on the table (or even worse—choking) to having an accident in the house because they were let outside without proper supervision (or worse—pooping). Those things will happen if you don’t do any sort of dog-proofing yourself!
Dog training
Training is one of the most important things you can do for your dog, and it’s also one of the most fun. But did you know that training your dog can help you bond with your pet? It can also help avoid problems with other people, with the law, and even save money in the long run by avoiding veterinary bills!
Crate and cage
When you are making the decision about whether or not to get a dog, it’s important to consider the cost of having one. You’ll want to make sure that you can afford the costs associated with owning a pet and that you will be able to provide for them in the long-term. If this is your first time getting a dog, then there are many things that you will need to buy before bringing home your new pet. One thing that almost every new dog owner needs is a crate or cage for their dog while they’re at home alone during the day (or night). It’s important to crate train your dog so that they feel comfortable staying in their space when left alone at home.
Crate training means teaching your puppy or older dog how to use his/her crate properly by setting boundaries around what is acceptable behavior inside of it versus outside of it. This gives him/her an area where he/she feels safe from any distractions happening outside of this safe zone; whether those disruptions come from people passing by outside his/her window on their way home from work each night or from noises generated within another room inside your house during naptime when no one else is awake yet except maybe momma herself!
Doggy gadgets and gizmos
Doggy gadgets and gizmos can be expensive. They’re not necessary for the dog to be happy or well-behaved, but they can be fun and useful, so you don’t have to worry too much about whether or not your pooch is getting all the bells and whistles on a daily basis. If you have an extra $50 lying around and your dog isn’t going anywhere, by all means go ahead—but don’t feel like you have to buy them every time they bark at a squirrel!
Pet ownership is expensive.
The cost of pet ownership is a common reason for people to not get a dog. But if you’re ready for the responsibility of having a dog, here are some things to keep in mind:
- Food: A good quality bag of food will cost anywhere from $15-$40 per month, depending on the size of your pup and how active they are.
- Healthcare: Yearly vet visits average between $200-$500 each year depending on whether you need vaccinations or medications (or both), along with any other procedures needed throughout the year. Plus, if your dog has accidents in the house and needs cleaning services, that can be costly as well!
- Dog-proofing your house: If you have children at home who love playing with pets but aren’t always able to control themselves around them, then they’ll need their own playroom where they won’t have access to breakable items like lamps or picture frames — that’s another space that will require decorating according to their taste (and yours!). Or maybe there’s just one kid who likes messing around with things and decides it would be fun if every day was like Christmas for him/herself alone? Then maybe consider putting up some extra locks on doors so he/she can’t wander around without supervision. After all — what kind of parent would allow such behaviors?
Conclusion
If you want to buy a dog on a budget, the best choice is to adopt from an animal shelter or rescue. A puppy will cost more than adopting an adult dog, and certain breeds with special needs may also be more expensive. Remember that the average cost of owning a dog is about $2,000 per year. The first year of ownership can be especially expensive as you get everything set up for your new pup.