Are you stepping into the world of dog parenting and wondering how much cost will be involved to properly take care of your little one? Well, you are at the right place; in this article, we have shared every cost from scratch involved in owning and taking care of a dog in the US. It’s quite well known that owning a dog is expensive, and many things are needed to take care of a dog properly. But the task will get a bit easier if you can estimate the overall cost of owning and caring for a dog.
When it comes to dog care, there are both one-time expenses and annual expenses that need to be considered. Also, it should be noted that the cost of dog care is relative. People often think that the cost of owning a dog is just related to food expenses, but the reality is far different. People get a dog and later get into trouble to bear the overall cost of dog care. As a responsible dog owner, providing every necessity to your dog is necessary.
To fully understand the cost of owning a dog, read below to know more.
THE INITIAL COSTS OF ADOPTING VS BUYING FROM A BREEDER
The first initial expense is buying the dog. If you are looking for a purebred, you will have to buy from a breeder. Depending on the breed, buying the dog from a breeder might cost somewhere from $500 to $2000. When choosing a dog, It is recommended to buy from a reputable breeder rather than a cheap breeder. It’s always better to spend some extra money while buying the dog so that the quality of your dog does not get compromised. This additional cost that you are bearing will benefit you as your dog will be healthier in the long run because genetics play a significant role in your dog’s temperament and health.
If you want to adopt a dog to help dogs in need, you should always adopt it from a reputable rescue group or dog home. Adopting a dog from a dog rescue community might cost $50 to $200. If you are looking for purebred, you can also approach a breed-specific rescue team. While adopting a dog, remember that rescued dogs have unknown histories and can have an existing illness, so you will have to spend extra money on veterinary maintenance.
The initial vaccinations are a must when you buy or adopt a dog. Depending on the dog’s health condition, you need to give him/her particular medications, vaccines, and treatments, which are all part of the initial cost. The initial treatments and vaccines might cost anywhere between $50 to $200. Some specific breeds might also require unique treatments and vaccines, and the vet bills can get up to $300.
The next considerable expense you will need to meet is the dog supplies.
How Much Does A Dog Cost Per Month?
THE INITIAL COST FOR DOG SUPPLIES WHEN BRINGING YOUR DOG HOME
Here is the list of the next set of expenses that you need near after bringing your dog home:
Please be aware that the initial expenses are just a portion when understanding how much does a dog cost per month.
FOOD & TREATS
when calculating how much does a dog cost per month one of the most important aspects is to give your dog high-quality branded food to help him become healthier and more active. Dog food might cost $20 to $60/ month, which is $200 to $700 per year. Now the food expenses are quite relative since they might vary as per the breed and size of your dog. Also, suppose you have to give special veterinary supplements or freshly-made food instead of regular packaged food. In that case, it might cost up to $100 per month.
TOYS
You’ll need to spend extra money on dog toys as these are necessary for the dog’s mental stimulation & exercise. Dog toys are so attractive that dog owners often buy multiple toys for their dogs. Buying multiple expensive toys for your dog might cost you several dollars. For a full list of our favorite dog toys click here
BOWLS
As a part of the initial expense, you will also need to buy dog bowls to offer food. A good dog bowl might cost up to $50.
LEASHES AND COLLARS
As a part of your initial expenses, you will need to buy at least one leash & collar. A good quality leash and collar might cost up to $20 to $50.
For a complete guide on the best leash length click here
Therefore the total first-year cost will range from $1300 to $1800.
ONGOING COST ON A MONTHLY BASIS
Here is a list of the ongoing costs that you will need to know to fully understand how much does a dog cost per month:
ROUTINE VETERINARY CHECKUP
when understanding how much does a dog cost per month you have to consider your dog’s health.
Routine veterinary checkups are a must to keep your dog healthy and active. You will need to visit the vet at least twice or thrice a year, and it might cost anywhere from $200 to $300 per year. Also, if your dog requires additional treatments like dental cleaning, the cost might reach up to $800. Of course, the vet bills will exceed higher if your dog has any other severe disease. Also, you need to consider that as your dog grows older, medical and, regular food expenses will become higher.
REGULAR GROOMING
Your dog’s grooming is mostly based on the volume and quality of fur they have. For instance, breeds with a lot of fur will require occasional haircuts as their hair grows super fast. Also, to maintain the fur quality and reduce hair fall, you will need to invest in a reasonable amount of special dog shampoos, conditioners, and soaps. The overall cost might vary anywhere from $30 to $550 per year.
DOG TRAINING
Training your dog can be confusing for many dog owners. And many times dog owners find that they cannot train a dog properly without professional help. Dog training needs to be done throughout his/her life. Though puppies go to obedience school in the first year of their life, training needs to be continued throughout their lives. The cost of training your dog from a reputed training school might vary from $500to $2000 (this includes training amenities as well).
Conclusion
In a nutshell, when understanding how much does a dog cost per month you’ll also need the total yearly cost, which in the first year will range from $1800 to $3800, while the total average monthly cost might range from $40 to $300.
All the things mentioned above are the necessities that your dog will require. Apart from these, additional expenses may include expenses on pet sitters/boarding, dog walkers, and emergency requirements.
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