Dog ownership is a financial as well as a emotional commitment. The puppy
you pick up for free today will need at least $250 worth
of vaccinations, and medical care and may turn into
the dog who needs special medications and foods two
years from now. If you are considering getting a dog-
great! But consider the costs.
Thinking about getting a dog and wondering about the
cost? As a pet professional I recommend people prepare
to spend $750-$1000 the first 6 weeks on their
new dog. But the cost of preparing for and
acquiring a dog varies greatly by where you get the
dog, the dog's size, and your own taste (designer collars
or walmart chic?)
Basing calculations on a medium sized dog:
If you plan on adopting a dog already spayed or neutered
and up to date on shots, you should expect to spend
about $500 the first month on a crate, a bed, toys,
chew toys, a leash and collar, a training collar, flea
and heartworm prevention, dog food, food and water bowls,
etc.
If you plan on buying a puppy add the cost of the puppy
plus $300 to the above figure. Puppies require frequent
vet visits the first few months, puppy pads, extra chew
toys, collars they will grow out of soon, etc. Puppies
also require spaying or neutering their first year,
which runs $75-$200.
The cost of maintaining a dog, of dog ownership in
general, is much less- perhaps $300 to $600 per year.
Once you've outfitted your home with crates, collars,
beds, ID tags, pet gates, etc the upkeep basically entails
food, vet care, and flea and heartworm preventative-
commercial or holistic versions.
read other owners estimates of dog ownership costs:
