Extra cost of dog ownership.

nrhareiner · 12-18-2006, 12:15 PM

I thought this might be something that would be interesting to talk about and may help people thinking about getting a dog/puppy or any animal.

Anything that you can think of that is out of the norm and how much do you set aside in case of emergensies. That type of thing.

I know for me I keep about $500-$1000 asside for the horses and about $250-$500 for the dogs and cats.

What if anything do you do that helps cut the cost down in these casses. For me I have an extensive background with animals and have taken short corses at Universities like OSU so I do a lot of my own vet work to keep cost down.

Also I do preventative things to also help keep cost down. Ex: I use Sevens Dust/pelets on the yard to keep flees and such down as I live out in the country. This really helps as I have 2 acers fences for the dogs.

So this may be interesting to see what others do to help keep cost down or just what it cost in differnt areas of the country to keep a dog, cat or any other type of animals if you would like.

Heidi

Curbside Prophet · 12-18-2006, 01:23 PM

I like this topic, thanks for starting it. Let's see, I do have about two grand set aside for an emergency. This is probably more than I'll ever need (crosses fingers), but I've heard horror stories of surgeries costing this much in cases of emergencies...but I'm also not fond of running up credit so that's why I have that much set aside. I think you need to figure about $10/month for flea and tick prevention. And another $20-$30/month for food and training treats. Elsa's groomed every 3 months, so that's another $20/month that I need to consider. And I can't remember how much her initial shots were, but I think if you put away $150-$200/year for boosters you'd have more than enough over the lifetime of your dog. And I probably spend $10/month for a new toy or training aid to replace old ones.

SCWT · 12-18-2006, 02:54 PM

Well here is what I think I have in so far,

Initial cost - $XXXXXXXX - lots

kennel - $75
soft kennel for car - $30 (good deal at JYSK)
toys - $150
vet - $400 ?? Not really sure, but this is all shots plus flea/heartworm (not neutered yet)
collars/leashes/access - $90
Obed. class - $90 (puppy class)
Food/treats - $120
Grooming - $30 - so far

This is CDN $$ and is from 8 weeks old until now, 29 weeks. These are my rough guesses as I did not keep track.

I think the yearly maintainence costs should be less. Also, I do not currently have insurance for him.

cshellenberger · 12-18-2006, 06:50 PM

I use Ivomec liquid for heartworm preventive. I use Blue power ear wash to prevent infections.

I also have $3000 in savings and a credit card with a $5000 limit specifically for emergency vet bills.

nrhareiner · 12-18-2006, 06:54 PM

The Ivomec Liquid is something that I also use but would not nessicarally sugest people who have never had any experiance with it to use it.

Heidi

cshellenberger · 12-18-2006, 07:07 PM

Oh definatly, If someone is interested in using it, I ususally have them go and talk to a vet about dosage and I tell them to be sure they have a negative heartworm before beginning. The main reason I use it is I'd be paying nearly $250 a quarter for heartworm preventive since I have one dog that is 150lbs and still growing.

ilovemywestie · 12-18-2006, 07:46 PM

I pay 10,000 a month for my dogs!!!!!!!!!!!(were rich)

Snowshoe · 12-18-2006, 07:55 PM

$100- literature on keeshonden and dog training before I purchased her
$1000- for the puppy herself
$60 for puppy classes
$150- for all leashes, collars, tags, microchip
$300- so far for her being up to date on all of her shots, heart worm/ flea meds
$35- for all grooming products
$60- every two months for food
$50- for bones to keep teeth white
$50- for toys of all shapes, sizes, colors
$50- for special propped up food/water dishes so she won't strain her neck
$75- for a crate that's airline friendly and folds down
$20- random vitamin supplements
$8.00- toothpaste
$15.00- entering her in her first (and only thus far) puppy match

I know there's probably more that I'm forgetting, LOL!

$75- obedience classes (coming soon)

Wow-

I had about $2000 saved up for her before I got her. The rest of the costs have sort of nickled and dimed me to death.

And yes, it did take me a long while to save up that kind of money for a dog. But, I love her and couldn't imagine life with out her, whether she'll be at Westminster in 2 years or just a wonderful family pet

nrhareiner · 12-18-2006, 08:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cshellenberger

Oh definatly, If someone is interested in using it, I ususally have them go and talk to a vet about dosage and I tell them to be sure they have a negative heartworm before beginning. The main reason I use it is I'd be paying nearly $250 a quarter for heartworm preventive since I have one dog that is 150lbs and still growing.

That is why I use it also. With 4 dogs use to be 6 and will be 6 again in a few months it saves quite a bit of money. Thing is most vets will not give you the info needed if they do not know you and then will only say in general turms as it is not supost to be used for dogs. However, I know a lot of people who use it and I have for years with no problems. Just have to get the dose correct. I do the same with vac. and rabies shots. The rabies are only requiered every 3 years here and I give them every year so I do that myself in the inbetween years. I can vacinate every animal here for what it cost to take 1 to the vet and have them do it. Saves big time.

Heidi

cshellenberger · 12-20-2006, 01:26 AM

Fortunatly I know some vets in a large animal practice that also treat dogs. They have NO qualms about people useing cheaper methods when they are effective.

sobreeze · 12-20-2006, 11:57 AM

i would have to send all my tax records for you all my deductions would buy me a new truck every year i have a farm along with my 9 dogs i raise rear breed livestock karakul sheep , irish dexter cattle , donkeys minis and standard and horses i have some very old pot bellie pigs i have had fot years large animals get very expensive to have when it comes to vet work i too do alot of my own vet work but sometimes a emergency comes up and it has be taken care of now i am lucky i have a husban that makes good money we have been to gether for 26 years and i am a stay at home furkid mom and farmer and this farm has a lot of money going out not a lot of money coming in so i farm and pet sit on the side to help pay fot feed , vet work , fencing and all the other things they need to be happy and if they are happy and health so am i

Tamara · 12-21-2006, 08:28 AM

Wow - if you really want a shock add up for a year. I have never totted up how much we spend. Just on insurance is $2,000 (2 dogs and a cat). I do have a bit of a shopping sickness for collars and leads hence $1,200!
It is all worth it as it makes us happy to love and care for them properly. They are the loves of our lives, our hobby and they take us on lovely long walks. I also like to think when they all see each other in animal heaven they will do a high five and say "We had great humans and a great life!"

EddiesMom · 11-22-2008, 07:45 PM

oh gosh I dont even know if I want to do the math!
Eddie cost $600, he already had all of his shots, was wormed and everything.
We spent $100 on his crate, $40 on food and almost another $100 on toys, collar, bed, leash etc the very first day!

Since then , Eddie picked up something off the ground on a walk, $550 overnight emergency vet visit,

He got into the trash, $85 vet visit,

he has gone through at least 4 bags of training treats, at about $7 each,

3 more bags of food at about $8 each,

about 100 rolls of paper towels, a new mop, 1 jug (so far) Simple Solution ($30) and extra laundry for accidents too close to soft items.

countless toys.. won't even try to guess,

and we might be going to the vets in a little while, as he ate the whole 4th bag of food, (5lbs) and I'm now just waiting a little while to see if he poops.

so Eddie has cost my boyfriend and myself $1500 at the most conservative guess, and he is only 4months old. We probably only had about $1000 between the 2 of us in saving before we got Eddie, and he's gone right through that. A dog is a serious investment of time, energy, love, money, patience, it definitely isnt something you can jump into without a lot of consideration.

Buying a pet is about the same as adopting a child. you love them and they need you for everything.

If your thinking about getting a dog, try babysitting overnight, and then save uup a lot of money!

Hallie · 11-22-2008, 08:09 PM

Campared to everyone else's cost mine are super low!!
I'll do one for each dog
Hallie - 18lb beagle 7 months old
$25-purchase price of Hallie
$150-Vet
$30/month- food
$10/month- toys (she happy just with balls)
$10/month-treats
$30-registration papers
$42-Crate
$15-Soft Crate for Sleeping
$24-leash and collar
$5-ID tag
$7/month- Ivomec for heartworm prevention
$40-flea preventitive
That's Hallie's bills so far. They are managable

Peaut-9lb overweight chihuahua 2 yrs
$100-purchase price
$150-Vet
$30-Crotizone shot monthly
$40-flea preventitive
$20/month-food
$16-collar and leash
$20/month-treats and toys
$25/month-Bones for chewing
That is his annual costs

zimandtakandgrrandmimi · 11-22-2008, 08:21 PM

after tally...total cost of owning two forty fivish pound pit bulls is

36,568.82

course that's with one dog with mastocytoma and colitis and another with HD and demodectic mange and upcoming anal gland surgery...

novagir18 · 11-22-2008, 08:32 PM

$400 for him
$125 for 1st night supplies (2 baby fences, bed, food bowl, etc)
$150 for crate, sweater, clothes
$35 new leash
$125 for puppy classes
$350 for the vet
$45 for new bed and movable crate
$45 for grooming
$15 for food per month.

I'm sure there is a lot more....we have about $1K set aside in case of emergency.

Jen D · 11-23-2008, 08:13 AM

After getting two dogs in that needed the same knee surgery I now have two thousand put a side for emergency. I had had any at the time and learned my lessen having to come up with money for that. Great thread!

marley55 · 11-23-2008, 09:30 AM

If I added it all up I am sure I would be physically ill

Between the horses ( 2 ) and dogs ( 2 ) I keep a credit card with a $10,000 limit just for animal emergencies. There have been times it was close to the limit and times it had a zero balance.

The everyday expenses, routine vet care, food, leashes etc are all paid out of pocket as the need comes up. Of course there is a lot of need since they are rather spoiled

I am not a fan of pet insurance since over the years if I had kept all my animals insured I would have been better off just tucking $50.00 a month in a "pet fund" savings account and it would have worked out better financially.

Rowdy · 11-23-2008, 10:41 AM

Toby - $500
Cameron - $600
Private lessons for Toby - $300
Puppy classes for Cameron - $150
Neutering for both - $300
Emergency vet visit for Toby (we thought he had bloat, thankfully not) $300
New vacuum cleaner thanks to Toby's fur - $300
Monthly grooming for Toby - $60 (with tip)/month
Monthly bath for Cameron - $5/month
Food - $100/month
Treats - $40/month
Vaccines - $25/year
I can't even estimate what gas has cost over the past 4 years for the trips I take just with the dogs.
Various toys, leashes, collars, blankets, etc... - @ $250

briteday · 11-23-2008, 12:05 PM

I feed raw and have 4 small (~10 pounds each) animals.

food $45 / month
toys $5 / month ( I buy in bulk when placing Petedge order!)
shots / annual visit = $70 (that's with a discount because daughter works there) $40 for exam, $15 each for rabies and 4-way
treats...usually make my own liver bites, but maybe $5 for others

One credit card that major vet bills can be charged to.