Almost 70 million households in the US own at least one dog. They are amazing pets that can bring so much joy to family life. Growing up with a dog has been shown to have many benefits for kids including reducing stress and anxiety, as well as teaching them empathy and how to look after a pet.
But in today’s society, owning a dog isn’t as cheap as you might think. Feed it, walk it, that’s it, right?
Before you get a family dog, you’ll need to be aware of the potential costs of owning a dog, so that you can factor these into your family budget.
Purchase price
Unless someone is giving you a dog for free, or as a present, it’s going to cost you money to buy the dog. Animal rescue shelters will ask for a donation when you adopt a dog from their care. This money goes towards the running costs of the shelter and allows them to take in and care for dogs in need.
If you’re buying a dog from a breeder, then you can expect to pay much more. Depending on the specific breeder and the type of dog you’re buying, the cost can be many thousands of dollars. Just be sure that you’re buying from a reputable dog breeder, not someone who is exploiting animals for money.
If you’re wondering which breed of dog will suit your family lifestyle, be sure to do your research first. One great friendly breed is a Whoodle, which you can find out more at https://mywhoodle.com/about-whoodles/. Another fantastic option is the Cavapoo, known for its affectionate and friendly nature. Cavapoos are ideal for families, especially those with children, due to their gentle temperament and playful personality. If you’re considering this breed, look for Cavapoo for sale, as they make excellent companions for both first-time and experienced dog owners. Labradors are popular choices for family dogs because of their temperament and their energy. You can find out about Labradors on this site if you’re looking at this breed of dog.
Lead and accessories
There are a few things that your dog is going to need in order to live with you. This includes a collar, lead, bed or crate, brush, and toys. Like most things, you can find these at a very good price but can also spend a lot of money on higher-end designer products. You’ll also need a range of shampoos, teeth cleaning, and grooming equipment too.
Some breeds will need a coat in the cold and wet weather, so if you’re in an area that has cold winters then invest in these.
Food
Much like human food, you can find very cheap dog food but it’s often not great from a nutritional point of view. Find good quality, affordable food that works for your dog. If your dog has any health issues and needs a specialized diet, this can add hugely to the cost of having a dog.
Puppy training
The key to a well-trained family pet is to get them socialized and trained early. This is most usually done through puppy training classes held in your local area. In these classes your dog will learn the basic commands such as sit and stay, as well as practice recall, so you can be sure they will return to you when off the lead. Classes are usually run weekly for a few months.
Behavioral training
Not all dogs are easy to train, and some might develop issues that you might want to address. This can happen to any dog, whether you bought it as a puppy from a breeder or rescued them as an adult from a shelter. A behavioral specialist can work on issues such as nervousness, aggression, and socialization, but they can cost a lot of money, certainly more than dog training classes.
Dog walking and boarding
Dogs need exercise every day, it helps to keep them healthy and active. Dogs who don’t get the exercise they need can become overweight and start displaying destructive behaviors. Different breeds need varying amounts of exercise, which you should take into account before buying a particular breed.
Dog walking is a very popular business, which can make sure that your dog is exercised daily, or when you can’t commit to walking them daily. Dog walkers usually charge per walk, so factor this into your monthly costs. Hiring a dog walker for your dog gets them the necessary exercise and attention he or she needs for a happy and healthy life.
Also, give some thought to what you will do with your dog if you’re going on vacation or for some reason need to be away from home for a while? Kennel or dog boarding facilities can look after your dog for you.
Grooming
Every dog needs a groom from time to time and some need them regularly. A groomer will wash your dog and then clip its fur into the style you request. The type of breed you have will dictate how often you need to have them groomed and how much it will cost. Breeds have hair that grows constantly such as Poodles and Afghan Hounds. A good groomer will often also clean the dog’s ears and clip their nails too.
Health insurance
If your dog develops an illness or is injured, then vets’ bills can be huge, especially if they need ongoing treatment. That’s where pet insurance comes in. Much like your own private health insurance, it can cover the costs of treatment and medication, so you only need to pay the policy excess.
Pet insurance also has legal coverage, meaning that if someone sues you for damage caused by your dog, then you are covered up to the limit of the policy.
Not all pet insurance products are the same and each will have its own conditions around the amount of cover they provide and for which conditions, so read the fine print carefully before you purchase a policy.
Health care
Pet insurance doesn’t cover everything for your dog and there are some things you’ll need to pay for yourself including flea and wording treatments, ear cleaning, and annual vaccinations. Many pet insurance companies won’t cover illnesses that can be routinely vaccinated for unless the vaccine has failed and you can show proof you’ve had your dog vaccinated.
Takeaways
Dogs are amazing, and you’ll be surprised at how quickly they become a treasured part of the family, but you do need to understand the type of commitment your dog needs both in terms of your time and your money. It’s better to budget for these costs in advance so that you don’t get any nasty surprises later.
