Cost of a Dog

The cost of a dog can really add up if you purchase all the bells and whistles that come with owning a dog. The biggest expense with owning a dog usually comes from feeding it and not from veterinary bills which is what most people believe.

Rarely will a cost of feeding a dog exceed the veterinary bills.

All Those Costs

Food, vaccines, treats, and bowls, carriers, leashes, flea control, and grooming, training books, crates, carpet cleaning, all these expenses and more add up.

At a minimum you should plan on spending at least $500 a year per dog and this is just for the basics.

There is no limit to how much money you can spend on your dog.

If you have your dog groomed professionally every month or more frequently, have professional training courses, all the latest electronic toys, and have a yard disposal service, the costs of owning a dog per year will be easily over $3000.

Ways to cut expenses on your dog

Some ways to save money on your dog involve feeding a good quality dog food. Avoiding the super cheap brands and the super expensive brands. A good quality dog food is the basis for maintaining your dog’s health and keeping your pet’s expenses low.

Buying toys and other dog supplies through secondhand stores is another great way to save money on the cost of owning a dog. Even garage sales are a great resource if you’re looking to score some dog supplies cheaply.

Some people advocate pet insurance is a way to save money on your dog. But remember many financial magazines still do not think pet insurance is a wise financial buy. Buying pet insurance is a personal financial decision that you have to decide on for yourself. But remember if you buy you a dog insurance policy for $25 a month and your dog lives for 10 years it will cost you $3000.

You have to decide whether the additional cost is worth it for you to have peace of mind, knowing that the majority of a people never make their money back.