Are you thinking about welcoming a dog into your life? There’s lots of benefits of having a pet. If you have kids, then it can be a great friend to them and even teach them about responsibilities. If you don’t have kids, it can be something that will get you out of the house and keep you on your feet. A dog also provides companionship and helps prevent loneliness. However, there are factors that must be considered. One example would be the cost of owning a dog. Here are some of the expenses to consider that you must fit into your budget when you are a dog owner.
Original Cost
First, you should think about the original cost of the pet. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the cost of buying a puppy has increased. The reason for this is the surges in demand due to more people staying at home. While things are returning to normal, the cost is still quite high, particularly for larger dogs. Average sized dogs such as lab retrievers are more affordable. You can find out more information about these animals by exploring a website where they are available to purchase.
If you do find the cost is out of your price range, consider rescuing an animal. Rescue animals are far less expensive in the short term and you are helping out an animal in need. However, they can be more likely to have behavioral issues if you get them as an adult. As such, you need to consider the long term costs too.
Accessories
In addition, you’ll also need to make sure that you buy your dog the right accessories. You’ll probably need to spend at least a couple hundred on accessories in the first month of buying the dog. First and foremost, you will need to buy a dog bed, blankets, food and water bowls, as well as any medications you may need (if your dog has any known medical conditions). Some would say that these accessories are the most important items you must buy for your furry friend, but there are other things you need to consider buying too, especially if you want to make sure they settle in quickly. This includes things like leads, harnesses, collars and toys. It’s also worth exploring the cost of microchipping your pet. This is particularly important if you are planning to let your dog off the leash when you take them to the park. It will ensure that your animal will be safely returned to you. Your dog also needs plenty of toys to play with as well. Playtime is a crucial activity for your dog, particularly when they are younger. It’s part of ensuring that they keep active each and every day. The more toys you have, the less likely it is that they are going to get bored of playing with you. This can also stop your dog from becoming destructive or displaying a variety of negative behaviors.
Food
Another key cost to think about is food. Food is going to cost you a small fortune especially if you get a larger dog. But you could still need to pay at least a hundred each month to ensure that your animal is well fed. As they age and develop, it’s possible that your dog could develop certain issues with their diet. If this is the case, they are going to need specialized food options, and maybe even supplements to help support specific issues. These are always going to be a little more expensive, however you may find occasional Dr. Marty Pets deals that you can make use of to save some money, if this becomes your preferred brand. So, you do need to keep this in mind when working out a total monthly budget for your dog.
Travel
It’s important to understand that your life is always going to change when you bring a dog into your life. You might find that there are certain things that you can no longer do or are going to be more difficult and expensive. One example is traveling. If you are going to take your dog with you on a trip, then you need to think about where you can take them. Certain dog breeds are going to find more tropical locations with higher temperatures overwhelming and difficult. Many hotels or rental locations do not allow pets either.
If you are leaving your dog behind, then you’ll need to think about kennels. Be aware that some dogs absolutely hate kennels and this is quite common for rescues. As such, you might need to explore different care choices. These can be more expensive like a dog sitter. But they might be better for your furry friend and ensure that they are less stressed when you are away from home.
Insurance
In terms of long term costs, you may want to consider insurance choices. Pet insurance can save you a fortune over the years. There are plenty of different dog breeds that are more likely to develop health issues. These can be quite expensive. For instance, it’s possible that your dog will develop a twisted stomach as they get older. This can require surgery that will cost you thousands. If you have pet insurance, you can avoid this heavy cost draining your bank balance.
However, you do need to consider that the cost of insurance for your animal will increase as they age. You should research the average insurance cost over the lifetime of your animal for the breed you choose and factor it into your monthly budget.
Extras
Finally, you should think about the extraneous items that you will need to pay for. There are certain treatments that your pet will require but likely won’t be covered by your insurance. One example is worming. It’s important to get your dog worming tablets to ensure that they don’t develop issues here, but these aren’t cheap. You’ll need to be aware of when you will need to pay for a cost like this and guarantee that you can afford it for your animal. You might also find that your animal has special requirements. For instance, if they do have an issue with separation anxiety, then you might need to arrange for someone to care for them while you are at work. This can be expensive and it’s one more thing that will need to be budgeted.
I hope this helps you understand some of the key points that you must consider when determining whether or not you can afford to bring a dog into your life. Remember, the cost of the animal is one of the things that is often completely overlooked and a main reason why owners tend to give up their pet. If you need help, you can check out the guide we wrote on how to save money looking after your furry friend. This advice may be just what you need to keep the cost of owning a dog under the right level of control.
