The Cost of Owning a Pet [Free Calculator]
If you are thinking of adding a dog to your family, you probably have spent some time researching various breeds and their characteristics. Did you know the American Kennel Club (AKC) recognizes 161 unique dog breeds? This number doesn’t account for any of the mixed breeds that are becoming increasingly more popular. Most presumptive pet owners spend a significant amount of time researching dog breeds. However, they are probably not factoring in a huge variable: How much does owning a dog really cost? There are a number of factors that weigh heavily on the true cost of owning a dog. For instance, one can safely assume owning a large breed of dog will most likely cost more than owning a small breed of dog. The larger dog will certainly need more food than the smaller dog. Likewise the larger dog will need a bigger crate, pet bed and more toys than a small dog.
Where do you live? If you live in a smaller city or town your cost of ownership will be less than the cost of owning a dog in New York City or other large metropolitan areas. Dog related services such as Veterinarians, dog walkers and pet sitters will almost certainly be more expensive in big cities. There are many yearly costs of owning a small dog or a big dog that are the same. An office visit to the Veterinarian will cost the same for both large and small dogs. Dog licenses and tags are other examples of yearly costs of owning a dog.
A dog owner must also be aware of the monthly costs of owning a dog. Your dog will need flea and tick prevention, heartworm prevention, food, toys and treats. The cost of owning a dog can add up quickly! We recommend you take a good look at your financial picture before you adopt or purchase a dog. It is important to include the cost of owning a dog into your monthly budget.
Our annual pet cost calculator is a handy tool to help guide you in your dog ownership experience. Simply plug in the requested information and the annual pet cost calculator will give you an estimated yearly cost for owning a dog. Alternatively, if you’re looking for information on the costs to insure your pet, click here (view this post to help you decide if pet insurance is right for you).
One way to help make the transition to dog ownership cheaper is to adopt a shelter dog or rescue dog. The initial cost of owning a shelter dog is usually free. Most shelters do not charge a fee for adopting a dog. We recommend you make a charitable contribution to the animal shelter to help the organization keep the cost of adopting a shelter dog free for everyone.
While the cost of owning a dog isn’t free (statistics say that dog owners spend between $400-$700 yearly on food, supplies, training, and medical care for their dogs), the love they have for their human family is priceless.
