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The cost of owning a Dog

How much does owning a dog actually cost? It seems like everybody has a dog, so they can't cost that much, right? Before you make the leap into dog ownership, be prepaired for the cost involved, and be sure you can afford to keep your pet happy and healthy for its entire life.

One-time Costs

Initial Purchase Price
This varies greatly depending on where you get your dog. A purebred bought from a breeder can cost anywhere from $200 to $2000, depending upon your location and chosen breed. A "Pet quality" puppy may be cheaper than its "show-potential" littermates. Adopting from a shelter usually requires an adoption fee of $50-200, again depending on your area. If you choose to buy from someone outside of driving distance, budget for the cost of transportation, airplane rides cost $150-300 per dog, depending on the size and distance.

Initial Vet Visit
It's important for your new pet to visit the vet as soon as possible. This visit will get your dog on file, and allow you to ask any questions you may have of your vet. For new puppies, they will need shots, deworming, and regular checkups. An older dog may need bloodwork. Vet visits run about $60, with shots ranging in price from $10-40 each. Budget at least $200 for your initial vet visits.

Initial "Stuff"
This stuff doesn't realy fal into one-time costs, as through regular wear and tear most will need to be replaced over time. Your new dog will need a bed ($10-80), a crate ($40-150), at least 2 dishes ($3-10 each), a leash ($12) and collar ($10).

Spay/Neuter
Unless you are planning on showing or breeding your new dog, it's a good idea to have it spayed or neutered as early as possible. Not only will it eliminate the risk of unwanted pregnancy and puppies, it can help remove risks of cancer, life-threatening infections and some behaviour problems. Neuters are typically cheaper than spays due to the complexity of the surgery. Local vets charge $150-300 for a spay or neuter, with low-cost clinics sometimes available for as low as $25. Keep in mind that even show dogs are typically spayed or neutered eventually!

Obedience Class
Even if you are the best trainer in the world, it's important that your new dog attend a basic obedience class, to get used to working with distractions, and around other dogs. Most classes run between 5-8 weeks in length, and cost between $100-200.

Puppy Proofing
Within your budget, include costs for replacing items the puppy has ruined. This can include chairs, tables, baseboards, wires and cables. Of course keeping your puppy contained in areas that doesn't have any of these tempting things is important, so pick up a few baby gates ($40) or a puppy exercise pen ($80) to confine your pup when you aren't around. Carpet cleaner ($12) and Bitter-apple ($15) are a lifesaver!

Ongoing or Planned Costs

Food
Your food bill really depends onon the type of food you feed, and the amount of food your dog eats. Food varies greatly, from the high end kibble of $25 for a 6lb bag, to the cheap grocery store "garbage" kibble of $20 for 40lbs. Dogs fed cheaper quality food will end up eating more (and pooping more!) so keep this in mind when choosing food. Budget roughly $30-50 per month for food.

Yearly Vet Visits
Even a healthy dog needs to visit the vet for an annual checkup. They will need a Rabies shot (this can be every 3 years, depending on the laws of your area) and booster shots if applicable. Budget roughly $100/year for scheduled vet trips.

Fleas
This really depends on your area, and your dog's lifestyle. An apartment dog in an urban environment may never see a flea, but a rural dog, or dogs living in more southern climates, will require monthly flea medication. This is roughly $10/month.

Heartworm
Most areas are affected by heartworm, which is carried by mosquitoes. You will need to protect your dog, about $10/month, during mosquito season. Here in Ontario, we use heartworm medication from May until October. Some areas may need to use heartworm preventative all year round.

Vacations
You aren't always able to take your dog on vacation with you. This will require your dog to stay in a boarding kennel, which can range from $15-30 per night.

Sometimes you may want to take your dog with you, when flying most airlines charge $50-200 per dog per flight, and many require a veterinary health certificate signed within 10 days of your flight. Before jetting away, make sure the hotels at your destination allow dogs!

Grooming
This is a very variable cost, depending on your breed, and your level of skill at doing things yourself. At very least, you will need a pair of nail clippers ($10), a brush or comb ($15) and some shampoo ($10). For breeds that need more work, a trip to the groomer ($35-80) every 4-6wks is needed.

Misc.
Dogs ruin their toys, lose balls in the park, chew through their leashes, and wear out their beds. They also appreciate Christmas and Birthday presents! You'll need a steady supply of dog treats and poop bags. Budget about $100-200/year in misc doggy "stuff".

Unplanned Costs

Damages
While visiting your great-aunt Millie, Fido has an accident on her antique persian rug. Dogs are dogs, and accidents do happen. As a respoinsible dog owner, you will insist on covering the costs to repair all damage your dog incurs while visiting with friends or relatives, staying in hotels, or out on your daily walk. Costs like drycleaning your boss' suit after Fido jumps up with dirty feet, replacing the tires on your neighbours bike when rover uses them as a chew-toy, and other unplanned damages are all your responsibility.

Unexpected Vet Trips
Your dog may develop cancer, break his leg, suffer an eye injury, or swallow something that gets blocked in his system and requires surgery to be removed. He may require dental work to remove excess tartar buildup or have teeth pulled. He may simply come down with "something". The number of things that can happen is endless, as is the costs involved in treating these things. It's a good idea to have an emergency fund set up for these cases, I like to leave at least $1000 in a seperate account, just in case. Keep in mind that anything done at the emergency clinic will cost roughly 4x the amount it would at your regular office.

Finally...

It is unfortunate, but most likely you will outlive your pet. Not all dogs will pass quietly in their sleep, and will require one last trip to the vet. Euthenasia typically costs around $150. You can then have your dog creamated ($100-300), either publically, where you will not get the remains back, or privately, where the remains will be returned to you. You may also choose to bury your dog on your propertly, but please check your local by-laws to find out if this is allowed in your area. Memorial urns, plaques and headstones are available.