Petfinder.com forums :: View topic - Oh My! Average Cost of Owning a Dog

Not sure how accurate this is but I think those of us with multiple pets are in trouble!!! The last figure I saw was about $400 a year for a small dog but that only works out to $4000 over ten years...

Oh My! Average Cost of Owning a Dog
The bucks you shell out to feed Fido, take him to the vet, and buy him fun toys really add up. The average cost to keep a dog over the pet's lifetime is a whopping $38,574, reports Churchill, a pet insurer in Great Britain. That's the equivalent of a luxury car or a round-the-world cruise on the Queen Elizabeth II, in case you wanted to put a price on man's best friend.

The Great Dane was deemed the most expensive dog at $61,424, followed by the Rottweiler at $46,951. Mongrels cost $40,501, while Jack Russell Terriers are a relative bargain at $33,708, reports AFP news service. Churchill's annual Cost of a Dog study was based on a survey of 2,000 adults conducted by the polling institute YouGov.

"Getting a dog is a serious, long-term financial commitment," Julie Owens, Churchill's head of pet insurance, told AFP. "We advise prospective dog owners to take a great deal of time choosing the most suitable pet for their finances and lifestyle."

Posted: Fri Mar 11, 2005 9:11 am Post subject:

I'd love to see their data to back up those claims. Granted, I think I've spent $1000.00 just for vet costs this year alone for my lab, but that's not average by any means for us. It seems like claims like that are a good way to encourage paranoia among pet owners and sell pet insurance.

I'm not buying it.

Posted: Fri Mar 11, 2005 9:18 am Post subject:

Seems like a lot, doesn't it?? But really, I broke this down for my two dogs and I have bargain dogs (so far anyway!). Food and heartworm meds are my big expenses - I only had one emergency vet expense last year for Callie's bee sting. My obediance class will make this year expensive - $65 per dog for an 8 week course. They both need it, so I'll be doing that back to back.
Callie's shots are due this month and Rodeo's in September, so I'll pay two office visits when they have their annuals.
And yes, cruises and luxary cars are nice, but can they snuggle to you and give kisses, or greet you at the door like they haven't seen you for a year when you only went to get the mail, and generally make you feel like you have your own personal fan club? Laughing

Posted: Fri Mar 11, 2005 9:46 am Post subject:

Per dog per year in my house (2 Great Danes, 1 GSD)

360-dog food (Diamond)
25-flea, tick, mosquito spray (I use a natural spray, no chemicals)
80-supplements (Vit C, Glucosamine)
150-yearly check ups (hw test, exam, wormer, vax if needed, xray)
120-titering
20- leash & collar
20-pooperscooper (needs replacing yearly!)
30-first aid kit (kept UTD yearly)
100-good dog bed
30-raised dog dishes
10-dog id tag
200-classes, fun outtings etc
120-boarding for 2 weekends
120-treats
120-knuckle bones/marrow bones/chewies
200-toys
200-cleaning materials(papertowls, simple solution etc)
_______________________________________________
$1775

One time cost per dog:
100-grooming supplies
200-spay/neuter
50-dog coat
25-microchip
15-register microchip
200-collassal crate
________________________________________________
$590
* Note this doesnt include the rescue fee, or purchase price. Nor does it include any damage your dog did to your house or belongings Smile

One time purchase
100-assorted baby gates
85-X-pen
100-vehicle barrier
150-ramp or step to get in vehicle
________________________________________________
$435
*This does not include any fencing, or outdoor containment.

Im sure I forgot somethings, but this is a good idea of what we spend on our dogs. Our cats, bird, and fish are another list!

Posted: Fri Mar 11, 2005 9:51 am Post subject:

The way I understood it, is that article is about the cost of owning a dog in Great Britain, not here. I once had an English acquaintance ask me how so many people in America were able to have mulitple dogs, because it was so outrageously expensive there. She assumed we either had ridiculous incomes, or we werent caring for them very well. Apparently, having more than one dog is not common there because of the cost of care. They are also required to have separate insurance policies for their dogs, and she said that it was as much as her home iinsurance.

Posted: Sun Mar 28, 2004 9:18 pm
Credits to: 'mom2dogs'
Post subject: COST OF A DOG by: (AKC est'd average)

The average yearly cost to care for a dog is:
about $1,350 yearly: or $110 a month.
Some of the costs you can expect to incur:

Adoption Fee: $50-250
Basic Supplies (immediate needs): $100-150

Veterinary Care
Physical Exam: $40 per visit
Spay/Neuter: $125-150
Flea Products: $10 per month
Heartworm Test: $27
Heartworm Pills: $40-80
Blood Tests: $65
Fecal Test: $15
Microchip Identification: $40

Surgery Costs
Emergency Visit: $70
Internal Exam: $105
Ultrasound: $215
X-Rays: $105
Various Surgeries: $1,000-10,000

Ongoing Supplies/Costs
Food: $125
Treats: $72-120
Toys: $10-50
City/County Registration or License: $10

Vaccinations
Rabies: $15-20
7-way+Kennel Cough Combo: $17

Optional Costs
Grooming: $25-100
Boarding Kennel or Pet Sitter: $12/Day

Training
Classes: $50-150

When your dog passes away
Euthanasia: $35
Private Cremation: $100-250
Burial: $400-1,250

First Year Cost: $700-2,000

Yearly Cost: $1,350 (AKC est'd average)

Emergencies: $500-10,000

Total Lifetime Cost (estimate): $7,500-26,000

Posted: Fri Mar 11, 2005 10:24 am Post subject:

rwnapp, I'm more inclined to go along with your estimate. Actually the way you've broken things down made me think of all of the incidental stuff that I never really include when I'm thinking of what I spend on my pets - like cleaning supplies, cremation, etc. But we have to be careful here about letting this info get into the wrong hands. If my husband sees your list, I'm finished around here. LOL.

When I buy for my pets, I have a strategy. The dog food and cat food comes from a specialty store, but I try to buy the toys, dog beds, catnip, etc. somewhere else, like at walmart while I'm buying groceries, so he won't notice the added cost of toys, etc. He just thinks the price of ground beef has gone through the roof. I need to keep it that way. LOL.

Shhhhhh.....

Posted: Fri Mar 11, 2005 11:43 am Post subject:

Yeah the intial quotes seemed REALLY high, unless your animal has some sort of medical problems in that case it can not only hit that but exceed it. I figured it out for us and our 6 dogs.

dog food. $50 per month x 120 = 6000
Shots. 80 x 60 = 4800
heart worm/ flea treatment 30x120= 3600
Collars leashes etc. 120x10 = 1200
Food dishes shampoos other miscellaneous = 2000

These would be the BARE minimums for 6 dogs over 10 years and it only comes out to 17600 Now lets add in spay, extra for puppy shots etc.
20,000 for 6 dogs.

I probably though spend 1000 a dog.. a year.. with treats toys, etc. etc. etc

so that comes out to.. 60,000 over 10 years minus any incidentals..

Great britain must be expensive.. Because I can have 3 exteremly well cared for happy dogs for the price of 1.. whoo I'm gettin a bargain! lol..

Realistically with incidentals.. medications etc. etc. That cost with 6 dogs over 10 years probably comes out to more around $80,000.
and 80,00 divided by 6??? drum roll please.. 13,500 per dog over a 10 year span. Although every dog I've had has lived to atleast 15.. so that would make it around 20,000 per dog. YIPES remind me to never add that up again.

Nikki

Posted: Fri Mar 11, 2005 11:58 am Post subject:

I have 3 small, med, and large. I am looking for a Female Extra small (5lbs)now but not having any luck yet on that one.

I am lucky where I live the vet costs 25.oo a visit and if you are getting your yearly no office fee and all shots plus heart worm testing 70 bucks.

And monthly we have to get our bassetts nails clipped and that is no charge we just walk in when we have time and the doc clips her nails and we are on our way.

Of course I have the flea and hearworm meds
Groomer for small dog 25.00 for bath and clip.
Chewies, cookies, snacks etc... (Veggies for the bassett. She has a small weight problem, she is what I would call a full figured gal)

I also buy my food at a speciality store. But I find alot of the toys at garage sells. Stuffed animals for 25 to 50 cents. (no beans) Or buy dog toys at everything for 1.00 store. My boxer/bulldog has a thing about not letting stuffing or squeaky stay in anything for more than 5 mins. And 10 mins later I am picking cotton up off the floor. But that is her joy in life. So I guess I will keep picking cotton.

I found a solution to a dog bed that has been the answer to my prayers. My bassett had been sleeping with us. But when I begain breathing problems I couldn't have her there anymore because she always lays her head on my shoulder and breaths (snores) on my neck. But we always had to lift her up and lift her down. She tried a dog bed but was sore and stiff in the morning plus she didn't like being on the floor. I should have known this since I had to purchase her OWN Recliner.

I went to a second hand baby store and bought a toddler bed w/mattress (sealige?) mattress for 20.00 and crib sheets for 1.00 each and 2 comforters for the bed for 2 bucks each. This has been wonderful and she loves her bed. The boxer decided she like it better than the bed so they were fighting over it. So now we have 2 toddler beds in the room. the small one sleeps with the bassett hound. The beds all have zip up plastic coverings so all I have to do is spray and wipe and buy crib sheets at the goodwill store. Like I said and answer to my prayers and my pocket book. My friend saw ours and went and bought 2 for her german sheppards.

It does get expensive. But the unconditional love you get back is worth so much more. As M/C says... "It's priceless"

Posted: Fri Mar 11, 2005 12:10 pm Post subject:

I estimate about $1200 per year for Dirk, and that's assuming he is healthy that whole year with just a routine exam.

Max, is much smaller so he would probably be slightly less than that, maybe $800 or so and that would probably a good rough estimate for each of my three cats, maybe even less for them though as they don't get as many things like treats, bones, etc. They do love their catnip though Wink

Posted: Fri Mar 11, 2005 12:27 pm Post subject:

Oh my--guess I am so lucky then with the vet I have. She is always on the lookout for a new ferret for me. She gives me mercy prices--she doesnt charge me all that much and office visits are $20-and she gives me the "herd" rate" that is one office visit for all my ferrets and the frontline she sells me is in a big spray bottle that the vets use.

Posted: Fri Mar 11, 2005 12:41 pm Post subject:

MudSoup-I have to agree with you on the husband part. Mine would die if he started to add everything up. He does go with me(usually) every month to buy food, total cost is usually right around $120. Of course I usually buy treats, greenies etc. Add those on and I usually writing a check for $160 or more.

I have eight dogs, 1 large, 2 med, and 5 small. Thank god he doesn't go with to the vet usually. Very Happy

Posted: Fri Mar 11, 2005 3:33 pm Post subject:

There is a funny article in the current issue of Gun Dog magazine. One of the writers was audited by the IRS and had to explain the $1500. deduction he takes for each of his dogs. But he needs those dogs for his job!

BTW ~ I thought the $1500. est. was low. I spoil my dogs. And I pick cotton as well. I just bought a rope with two tennis balls attached for 4 dollars (on sale!) It lasted 10 minutes. Ruby chewed both of the balls up into little bits of rubber.

Posted: Fri Mar 11, 2005 4:55 pm Post subject:

What really amazes me is the disparity in the costs depending on where you live in this country Shocked

. I have three of my own personal dogs, and the breakdown stunned me.

$53. just to walk in the door at the vets office
$26. for the DHPP
$36. for rabies
$200 minimum for a spay/neuter (usually higher)
$15. collar and leash
$145. HW snap test and titering
$28 for a 6 month supply of HW preventitive
$8. license
$40 to $60 for microchip
$12 registration for said chip
$45 Frontline
$42 dog food (Innova EVO, 1 bag lasts about 1 1/2 weeks with three dogs, approx. $365. a year per dog)
$$$ for toys,beds, bones, etc.

So for three dogs It's about $1085 per dog annually with speutering in the same year, and that's not counting all the "peripherals" like DaneMom said, crates, baby gates, paper towels, Natures Miracle, etc, etc etc!

Posted: Fri Mar 11, 2005 6:22 pm Post subject:

The best thing I ever did was use my nursing knowledge to get a job with my local vet. It was a decision I will never regret. I love my job and the pet care cost are more than cut in half.
Very Happy

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