While dogs can be an incredible addition to any family, they also come with great responsibility. Here, our Clinton Township vets discuss the average annual cost of owning a dog and share some tips to ease the financial burden.
What is the average cost of owning a dog?
Before bringing home a new dog, you should take the time to break down the average cost of owning a dog. This will help you make the right decision while being prepared. Here are some of the typical expenses involved in dog ownership:
One-Time Expenses:
- Purchasing your dog
- Spaying or neutering your pup
- Cost of breed-specific surgeries
Recurring Annual Expenses:
- Annual or semi-annual routine exams
- Vaccines
Monthly Expenses:
- Parasite protection
- Medications
- Food
Emergency Expenses:
- Accidents
- Injuries
- Chronic Illness (diabetes, cancer, etc)
- Sudden Illness (diarrhea, breathing difficulties, vomiting)
From the start, it is important to be prepared for each of these types of expenses and plan accordingly so that you don't face any unpleasant surprises along the way.
The Annual Cost of Owning a Dog
Of course, when it comes to estimating the average cost of owning a dog, the numbers vary wildly since there are so many factors to consider, including the size and breed of the dog, the health risks of your dog's breed, and the services needed to keep your dog looking and feeling their very best.
Beyond veterinary care and prevention, to get to a realistic cost of owning a dog, you will also want to look at the cost of food (based on how much your chosen dog breed will eat), grooming sessions, toys, treats, beds, collars and leashes, obedience training, and possibly the price of hiring a dog walker.
The area that you live in can also have an impact on the cost of owning a dog. Some of the typical services your dog will use, from veterinary care to grooming and boarding, range widely in price between locations. For a true estimate of costs, you will need to consider the breed you are looking at getting, that breed's risk of chronic illness, and how much the pet services your dog will need cost in your area.
How to Manage the Cost of Owning a Dog
If you decide that owning a dog is still the right decision for you, then you may want to look at the different ways to make the cost of owning a dog more manageable. This can include:
Keep a Pet Emergency Fund
If you are good at saving and budgeting, this may be a good solution for you. Whether you use a separate bank account or a jar tucked away somewhere safe, calculate how much you would need if your pet suffered a veterinary emergency, then work out a reasonable amount to tuck away each payday. Putting that money aside may help make veterinary emergencies less stressful when they strike.
Security With Pet Insurance
Pet insurance may be right for you if you are concerned about the high cost of emergency care or caring for a pet with a chronic illness. Pet insurance can help relieve the burden of emergency care costs, but it's important to understand what your pet's policy covers before signing on the dotted line.
How Pet Wellness Plans Can Help
Many veterinarians offer wellness plans to help pet parents budget for their pet's annual preventive care. These plans divide the recommended annual preventive care cost into easy-to-manage payments.
Wellness plans for dogs include annual core vaccines, routine exams, flea and tick prevention, and heartworm protection.
Here at Snider Veterinary Services, we don't offer wellness plans, but we do have financing options through Scratchpay and CareCredit to help you better manage the cost of veterinary care. Speak with us today to learn more.
Note: The advice provided in this post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice regarding pets. For an accurate diagnosis of your pet's condition, please make an appointment with your vet.