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Rising Star
It really depends. Like my dog is fine being home alone (I adopted an older dog) so I dont need to pay for a walker or doggy day care. I probably spend $2k a year (dog food + vet + flea and tick prevention + dog sitter when I’m on vacation).
Rising Star
Also don’t cheap out on dog food. Most dog foods are actually crap - I don’t even know how they allow it on the shelves. Happy to provide recommendations :)
Dogs are priceless though with their unconditional love and affection.
Enthusiast
Pre-Covid I use a dog sitter or walker weekly in NYC. It was closer to 6-7k.
I’m more on the high end, but want to show how it varies. When I got my dog I was in a relationship where my SO would take care of the dog when I travelled. Fast forward several years, I’m not giving him up and spend way more money than I’d like to make sure he is taken best when I’m traveling.
Your lifestyle can change and expenses may change. It’s not a one year commitment.
Enthusiast
Yep, tens of thousands is the total lifetime ownership cost. Agreed.
Um for context, the day I got my dog my credit card company thought someone had stolen my card because I had never spent that much money in a single day before ever
Chief
Don't base the decision just on "up front" costs like food, dig walker, etc. Keep in mind that your dig will get older and need more medical care, vet bills, maybe a prescription diet, etc. as it gets older. It's a commitment for the dog's entire life, so be sure you're ready.
Rising Star
Yes! This makes sense...I always had a dog growing up but knew I wasn’t ready to be a dog parent in my twenties. I’m ready now.
$1500 year
i spent 9,000 on 2
acl type surgeries for one dog. $600 recently for ear infection med for another that comes after a year of other meds. plus boarding while on vacation at
about $65 per night each. expensive
but worth every dollar!! they are so sweet and such good company even
in addition to husband and kids!
Here is what I pay per month:
- 118 insurance
- 10 co-pay (monthly medicine + some routine visits here and there)
- 70 food
- 30 treats (we buy locally from a dog bakery)
- 22 barkbox (toys only)
- used to pay for daycare twice per week $30 a day, so $240, but stopped since COVID.
- Groomer - we do once per quarter - we pay $110 per session including tips
Like others mentioned, it really depends on where you live and your lifestyle. My husband works 9-5 job so he always takes her out, takes her on walks, but if you need a dog walker, that’ll cost you more.
We spend about 7k/year for two dogs. Probably more than that the first year.
What breed are you looking at? My dogs’ breed is notorious for health problems. We knew this going in.
One pup gave us a $2.5k bill the first week we brought him home. He had pneumonia and respiratory infection.
Make sure you find a good vet and a trainer! Worth every dollar. Best of luck!
A pet “PARENT”? The medical bills for the initial procedure for you to give live birth to dog will likely be in the millions.