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Considering a Dog? Consider the Costs
The MMI Online Articles are designed to inform, assist, educate and alert consumers.
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Ask anyone who owns a dog and they will likely tell you that their pet really is part of the family. It’s no wonder the most crowded store in any mall is the one with the puppies on display. Unfortunately, many people take a pet into their home without really considering the cost.
The first expense is the purchase price, which for a registered puppy can cost several hundred dollars. You can reduce these costs by adopting an animal from a local shelter or Humane Society. There are additional costs for spaying or neutering, which can run between $50 and $100, and the pet’s first visit to a veterinarian and first shots, which runs between $75 and $150. You can expect to pay $50 to $100 annually for routine visits to the vet to renew shots and tags.
Once you’ve gotten all the initial costs out of the way, the biggest expense will be food. For a puppy, you’ll spend about $5 a week on food if you stick with regular brand names. An adult can cost up to $10 a week for a small dog, and $15 a week for a larger dog. Before you decide to purchase inexpensive economy food, make sure that it is really saving you money. According to The Dog Food Book, an economy brand may actually cost you more per day to feed your dog than a super-premium does. In order to give your dog the nutrition he needs, he has to eat 3-1/2 times more of the economy brand than the super-premium food.
Additional expenses include the cost of boarding. If you leave town and don’t have a neighbor who can feed your pets every day, a kennel typically charges $15 to $20 daily. If, however, your pet is sick and needs to boarded, it can run up to $100 per day.
Unfortunately, most puppies come with some destructive habits like chewing and jumping. Therefore, training is another expensive, yet important, expense most dog owners incur. Hopefully, your ownership expenses won’t include replacing the sofa.
Of course, there will be all kinds of toys and other accessories that you’ll feel you simply must have, and you may want to consider those costs as well. Pet accessories can run from a basic tennis ball to a cashmere sweater and hat ensemble. When choosing pet supplies, remember who you are shopping for. After all, the best thing you can give your dog is love.
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