Dogs can easily win our affection and become cherished family members. However, it's important to remember that this love and devotion require serious commitments. Before taking on the responsibility of making a dog part of your family, be sure to consider these points from our Woburn Animal Hospital vets.
Expenses to Consider
When you're thinking about whether you can afford to have a dog, remember that there are various costs associated with owning one.
One-Time Expenses
- Purchasing your dog
- Spaying or neutering your pup
- Cost of breed-specific surgeries such as tail docking
Recurring Annual Expenses
- Once or twice yearly routine exams
- Vaccines
Monthly Expenses
- Parasite protection
- Medications
- Food
Emergency Expenses
- Accidents
- Injuries
- Chronic illness (diabetes, cancer, etc.)
- Sudden Illness (Diarrhea, breathing difficulties, vomiting)
Calculating The Average Cost of Owning a Dog
When it comes to figuring out how much it costs to own a dog, the expenses can vary a lot. There are several factors to consider, such as the dog's size and breed, the health risks of your dog's breed, and the services needed to keep your dog looking and feeling their best.
Apart from the basics like vet visits and preventive care, you'll also need to factor in the cost of things like food (which depends on your dog's breed and how much they eat), grooming, toys, treats, beds, collars, leashes, training, pet boarding for vacations, and possibly hiring a dog walker.
Another variable to consider is where you live—services from veterinary care to grooming and dog sitting range widely in price between locations. For a true estimate of costs, you will need to consider the breed you are looking at getting, that breed's risk of chronic illness, and how much the pet services your dog will need cost in your area.
Ways to Make Dog Ownership More Affordable
If you have your heart set on having a dog as part of your family, there are ways to help make the annual cost of owning a dog more affordable.
Set Aside a Money Just For Pet Care
If you are good at saving and budgeting, this may be a good solution for you. Whether you have a separate bank account or a safe spot for a saving jar, here's what you can do:
- Calculate how much you would need if your pet suffered a veterinary emergency
- Then, work out a reasonable about to tuck away each payday.
- Putting that money aside may help make veterinary emergencies less stressful when they strike.
Pet Insurance
If you worry about the expensive bills for emergency pet care or taking care of a pet with a long-term illness, pet insurance could be a good choice. It can ease the financial stress of emergency situations. However, it's crucial to know what the insurance policy for your pet includes before you agree to it.
Wellness Plans
Many veterinarians offer wellness plans to help pet parents budget for their pet's annual preventive care. These plans take annual recommended preventive care and divide that cost into 12 easy-to-manage payments. At Woburn Animal Hospital, our pet wellness plans for dogs include annual core vaccines, 2 routine exams per year, your dog's Bordetella vaccine, 12 months of flea and tick prevention, and 12 months of essential heartworm protection.
Note: The advice provided in this post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice regarding pets. For an accurate diagnosis of your pet's condition, please make an appointment with your vet.