Are you excited about getting a new pooch in your life? You may want to consider the costs of getting a dog. Read our cost estimate to see if it is in the budget for you.
Cost of Getting A Puppy or Dog
Studies have shown that potential dog owners grossly underestimate the monthly costs of dog ownership. It costs roughly $153 per month to own a dog. Food alone can cost between $40 to $60 per month. Let’s break down the cost of getting a puppy or new dog.
Adoption Fees
I can vary widely from one shelter or charity to the next. Generally though, plan on spending between $115 to $660 in adoption fees to get a dog from a shelter. Buying a purebred dog from a breeder is much more expensive. For instance a Welsh Corgi puppy can be as much as $1,500.
Medical Care
Once you have decided on getting a puppy or dog, start looking for a veterinarian. Make an appointment for a wellness check up so your pooch and the vet can meet. You will need to get your new furry pal up-to-date on vaccinations. The typical cost of the four vaccinations it needs is $75. It is vital to your dog’s health to receive the shots. Flea and heartworm preventatives are a necessity also. This can cost around $300 a year, but it is an essential cost. The medication is much cheaper than treating a flea infestation, not to mention a case of heartworm can be fatal. If your dog’s adoption didn’t include microchipping you can plan on spending $50 for the procedure. You will also need to budget to have your dog spayed or neutered if the adoption did not cover that. To spay a female dog the average cost is between $200 and $400. To neuter a male dog the cost is between $75 to $250.
Doggie Gear
You will need to have all the following “equipment” for your dog when it comes home.
Leash= $10+
Collar=$10
Food and water bowl=$15 +
Bed=$30
Crate=anywhere from $50 to $200
Toys= $8 to $10 for one toy
Food= varies greatly. Can cost $480 per year. Your vet can recommend what to get.
Ongoing cost
The continuing costs of owning a dog are good to keep in mind. If you have chosen a dog with a lot of upkeep you can factor in professional grooming. Down the road you may need to pay for dental care if your pooch has problems. If you travel, add the cost of boarding as well as a bordetella vaccination. It's always a good idea too to have a way to pay for emergency vet care for illness or injury which is upwards of $500.
Here is a total of what your upfront expenses could be for dog ownership:
Adoption fees =$115 to $660
Medical Care
- Vaccinations = $75
- Heartworm/Fleas = $25 a month
-Microchip = $50
-Spay/Neuter = $75 - $400
Upfront doggie gear
- Leash = $10+
- Collar = $10
- Food and water bow = $15 +
- Bed = $30
- Crate = from $50 to $200
- Toys = $8 to $10 for one toy
- Dog Food = $40 a month
Total potential startup cost for dog ownership - $ 503
Don’t let that figure discourage you from adding your furry best friend to your life. Just know the costs upfront to give your dog or puppy the best possible start. The rewards when your pooch gazes up at you to be petted are beyond measure.
Resources:
Thousand Hills Pet Resort and all its proceeds go to our affiliated non-profit New Life K9s.
A dedicated organization that provides service dogs to veterans and first responders living with PTSD at no cost to the recipient. In addition, the New Life K9s prison rehabilitation program educates and trains incarcerated men to become dog handlers and puppy raisers for potential service dogs entering the program. If you wish to learn more about our mission and ways to help visit www.newlifek9s.org/how-to-help/donate.html
Thousand Hills Pet Resort or its affiliates do not own any copyrights or media rights to any of the mentioned references.