Guide: The Cost of Owning A Dog

If you are considering getting a dog, there are a few things you need to know before you do. One thing you need to know is how expensive a dog is. Many people realize how expensive the upfront cost of a dog is, but they don’t realize how expensive it can be to own and take care of it. 

Before adopting a dog, ensure you are ready financially and physically. You need to ensure you can take care of the dogs’ financial and physical needs. This is why most dogs in the shelters are there. People will get a dog thinking it would be fun, but they don’t realize how much work it takes to take care of a dog.

But if you do everything it takes to care for a dog, you will receive the best reward! Your dog will love and trust you will all of its heart. You will have a little furry friend who will gladly accompany you anywhere.

Original Purchase

The upfront cost of a dog is what most people think about when getting a dog, and usually, it does cost a lot, which is a good thing. Often, people will look on puppy classified websites to see if they can get the lowest price for the breed they want. However, if you pay a little more and get a dog from a quality dog breeder, there will be way more benefits. You will pay more at first, but reputable breeders will usually give the dogs vaccinations and tests that will ensure they will grow up to be a healthy pups, so in the end, you will actually save money by reducing the number of times and visits you have to take to the veterinarian. 

Although along with this, there are many “reputable breeders” you can choose from. So just make sure the breeder you choose has a good reputation and is reliable. You can do so by reading their reviews and asking them if you can talk to some previous customers to whom they have given a puppy. This way you can ask any questions that you may have.

Supplies

Then there is the expense of supplies, which is anything you buy for your dog after it comes home. This is things like toys, harnesses and leashes, collars, beds, etc. Each item doesn’t cost that much, but anyone who goes shopping often knows that the prices add up fast! 

So to save money, I recommend getting one nice bed, collar, and leash. These things will last longer, and if you settle for the cheaper option, you will have to get a new one soon, as they won’t last as long. But, when it comes to toys, I would get the cheaper ones as many people like to get more than one toy for their dog, and usually, these will stay nice or get ruined no matter how much they cost.

Recurring Costs

Recurring costs include treats, food, vet visits, and grooming expenses. Settling for the cheaper option is not very smart on each of these things! Treats and food will be going inside your dog, and if you get the cheaper option, you will end up paying for it in vet visits when they get sick. Also, if you go with a cheaper vet, you may not be getting everything you are paying for, even if it is cheap, they can rip you off. You don’t need to go to the most expensive vet in town; just research the clinic you plan to visit before your dog even gets sick. Lastly, with grooming, again, you don’t have to go to the most expensive groomer as they are likely just overcharging, but when you go to a cheaper groomer, they are probably more likely to mess up, and your dog will be stuck with a funky hair cut. So again, make sure you do your research.

Overall, dogs can cost a lot of money, from the upfront cost to the annual expenses, but you will be left with a best friend who will be your emotional support and always uplift your mood when you are feeling down.