Dogs make great companions and they are a popular pet. Many people have at least one dog that they keep as a pet. While having a dog is a great company they will need care and food and medical care does come with a price.
Here is some information on how much it costs to keep a dog.
Vaccinations
The dog will need rabies, parvo, distempering, and other important vaccinations. This can be several hundred dollars at the vet office.
The price for vaccinations is cheaper if the dog goes to a clinic. If the pet gets sick and needs medical care, vet bills can easily add up.
Spaying and Neutering
While this is a one time expense it is still going to cost money. The average cost is around $200. There are some clinics that will perform this procedure for less.
Food
The dog is going to need to eat. A dog cannot eat everything that a human has. The average cost for dog food is between $200 and $700 a year.
This will vary based on the size of the dog and how much it eats. there are some dog foods that are more expensive. High-quality dog food is needed to keep the dog healthy.
Supplies
Leashes and collars must last for some time but eventually, they will need to be replaced. This averages at $30 a year.
The dog will need a toy to play with to keep them busy when in the home. it will also keep them from chewing on things they are not allowed to.
The average dog owner spends $100 a year on toys. There are also licensing fees. This will vary from state to state and will cost anywhere between $5 and $50 a year.
Boarding or Sitters
If a person wants to take an overnight trip they are going to need to have someone take care of their dog. Boarding can be several hundred dollars.
The average owner spends $300 a year on boarding. A pet sitter may charge by the day or the hour so the cost will vary.
These are some of the expenses it costs to own a dog. The average person spends around $1,200 on the care of their pet. For the companionship and love, a dog gives it is well worth the expense.
Steps to Save Money on Pet Expenses
This gives you some of the best tips and tricks to bring down the cost of your pet.
Many people want to save money on their pet expenses, and why not?
Money does not grow on trees and pets are expensive. Saving money on some things means more money can be spent elsewhere.
There are some very simple ways a person can save on their pet’s expenses.
These Five Steps Can Help You To Save Money On Pet Expenses.
Step One: Pet Selection
The first thing a person should do if they wish to save on expenses. You should select a pet that will cost less in the long run.
Adopt a pet that is already up to date on its medical expenses. Including the fact that you should already be spayed or neutered.
Not being able to afford to spay or neuter a pet, such as a cat or a dog.
This is inexcusable when many pets who already fixed are eagerly ready. They wait to get adoption from pet lovers.
Yes, there is a cost for adopting pets. However, in most places, the adoption fee is much lower. Taking a free pet and pay for all the medical cost will cost you more.
“Free” pets are seldom cheap in the long run, particularly kittens and puppies.
However a free older pet from a person who has maintained its health.
Like the owner already spayed or neutered. This action will save you money considerably.
Breed selection also plays a part in saving money. As with some breeds of dogs who require regular hair cuts.
They type of pet is also key, a hamster has lower care costs than a Guinea Pig and a shorter lifespan. This will also reduce the overall expense.
Step Two: Proper Care
Other than adopting a pet from proper shelter, buying one from a reputable seller is the next best way to save money long term, particularly on medical expenses.
A reputable seller stands behind their animals for their lifetime.
They offer genetic health guarantees and will not breed any animals in lines where problems have occurred.
Reputable breeders do not sell pets cheap. But they have show records and health checks done on the parents proving.
They have put in an effort to reduce any genetic health problems from occurring in a pet.
Ignoring pets basic medical needs, such as spaying, neutering, vaccinations, and deworming.
This may save money in the short term, but all of these things are preventative to further medical expenses.
A spayed or neutered pet has a reduced risk of some cancers.
And since they roam less they put themselves at less risk of being hit by a car or getting a fine for being at large.
Some areas can fine owners of pets that are not up to date on their Rabies shot, particularly if they bite somebody.
Proper Obedience training and socialization classes are a very important expense for dog owners.
Unfortunately, a lot of people do not see more use for these classes than teaching the dog to “sit”.
And since they figure they can teach the dog to do that themselves, they forget about classes.
Obedience classes are far more than basic commands. They teach dogs to be social to other dogs, to listen to their owner in commotions.
And they give the dog a much need mental stimulus.
Many dogs become destructive at home. They become this way purely because their mental needs are not satisfied as they should be.
Obedience classes are a doorway of opportunity to take an intelligent dog into agility. Or anything that challenges the dogs’ mind.
Step Three: Identification
Proper identification is fairly inexpensive. This can be either a tattoo, microchip, or tag on the collar.
If you lost your pet, the identification will hopefully help you to find it quickly and easily. Thus saving the expense of it is going to the city pound.
A pet with a license can also save money in the long run.
The fine for an unlicensed pet is quite expensive in some areas for a stray pet.
Additionally, the license, when worn at all times, should be identifiable and helps a pet to be visible easily by its owner (you) quicker.
Thus, you should not have to pay high boarding fees if the pet is kept in the pound for a few days until you find it there.
Step Four: Feeding
Buying top quality food for a pet saves money in the long run, although people find it hard to believe.
First of all, let us note that not all expensive foods are of good quality.
One must become familiar with ingredients but as a rule none of the foods sold in grocery stores. And department type stores are of good quality.
Foods that have commercials to promote them are putting money into advertising, not ingredients.
Some pet foods even pay for vets to promote their food. Again they do this ahead of putting money into quality ingredients.
When you feed a top quality food the pet actually needs to eat less.
Because it is not having to eat a lot of filler to get its nutritional needs met.
It will poop less too, and ideally, have fewer health concerns (some ingredients are known to be suspected for contributing to cancer in pets.
While others make digestion more difficult or contribute to urinary tract problems).
While all commercial pet foods must meet minimal standards, few exceed them.
Look for a portion of pet food that contains no “By-Products”, has human grade ingredients, and is naturally preserved.
Step Five: Keeping the Pet Safe
Building a safe pet area, or pet run is a good way of keeping your pet safe and contained in your yard.
Sure some areas do not have laws restricting a cats movement.
But that does not mean a cat is any less likely to be hit by a car in those areas.
Or not at risk of being poisoned by an angry neighbor.
Similarly, dog runs are a better option than tying a dog in a yard where there is not a proper fence.
Pets who run loose can be picked up and their owners fined.
Photo source http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Home_animals.JPG
Summary
Sometimes we try too hard to cut corners. while this might be okay when buying a bowl of breakfast cereal.
It is not acceptable to do with a living animal who is in our care. Veterinarian attention should never be compromised or withheld.
In fact, in most areas, a person who does not take a suffering animal to a vet can be charged with neglect.
Failure to feed a pet a proper diet also is criminal. Prior to even getting a pet, money should be set aside for emergency expenses.
If a person truly is so concerned about the money that they cannot provide proper care to a living creature, they should not consider getting a pet at all.