What Are the Costs of Owning a Dog

March 27, 2019

If you’re reading this, the chances are that you have a dog or are looking to adopt one soon. You’ve come to the right place as we’re going to discuss the costs that go into the care of a pup.  

As you may now or will soon realize, taking care of a dog is more than having to pay for its food. Unfortunately, however, many people don’t take that into account and get a dog, only to be faced with problems down the line. It usually happens around Christmas when, in the heat of the moment, they buy a dog to give to their children, and after a couple of months, they abandon it because they couldn’t handle the added expense. Below is a short rundown of all the expenses that you need to consider before making this decision.

Food

It’s advisable that you feed your dog with high-quality food and treats. It will prevent any health issues from appearing down the line. Also, food expenses vary based on the size of your pet. But for a rough estimate, you can consider something along the lines of $20 to $60 per month, or $250 to $700 per year. 

Leashes and Collars

You should have at least one lease and one collar for each dog, preferably with ID tags. On average, dog owners spend between $20 and $50 per year for these, but if you’re careful, you can make a single pair last for several years at a time. 

Beds and Toys

A high-quality bed for your dog will last longer. Nevertheless, most owners spend on average about $50 to $200 per year for such an expense. When it comes to toys, you can expect somewhere in between $25 to $150, depending on how destructive is Fido. 

Obedience

It is something many first-time owners forget about but always live to regret not incorporating. Investing in your dog’s obedience, be it with obedience classes in the first two years of their life and all sorts of other reading materials, etc., you can expect to pay roughly $150 per year. 

Grooming

You should expect to pay $30 to $500 per year on grooming tools and visits to the groomer. 

Pet Sitting

If you go on vacation or will be away from home for extended periods, you need to leave your dog with someone. In some cases, you can leave it with a friend, but this is not always the option. If you hire a pet sitter, once or twice a year, expect to pay around $100 to $300. 

Veterinary Care

Routine veterinary checkups are a critical part of keeping your dog healthy. But keep in mind:

• Checkups cost between $200-300 yearly.
• The Lab works – $100-300.
• Dental cleanings – $300-800.
• Preventive medications and supplements – $ 100-500 per year 
• Emergencies – Though hopefully rare, medical emergencies can be quite expensive. A simple emergency vet hospital visit can be between $500 to $1000, while surgery can reach a whopping $5,000, What’s more, every day in the ICU can add an extra $200-500 per day. 

Owning a dog can cost you, on average, between $115-350 per month, or around $1400-4300 per year. You need to know that you can handle this expense if you are to buy or adopt a dog.

Nevertheless, having one can be an enriching experience that is well worth the investment. And if you need and quick cash for an emergency, or something like that, Illinois Lending Corp is by your side. Call us at 1.877.LOAN.195 or apply online today!