Most dog owners would agree that their dogs are worth every penny. But how many pennies are we really talking about? From the purchase of the dog, to dog walking, boarding / travel, possible health problems and training, this could be a much more expensive venture that you think.
Your tax deductible donation for a FOHA shelter dog is $175. This covers the cost of the dog’s basic medical needs: inoculations, spay / neuter, heartworm test and parasite control. If a FOHA has tested positive for heartworms, FOHA will pay for the initial treatment to eliminate the heartworms.
Before you bring your new dog home, you will have an outlay of supplies to have on hand (see our “Making the Successful Transition” for a complete list of things you need to have on hand).
FOHA recommends a high quality dry food available at major pet stores. Higher quality food helps prevent the onset of future health problems. Many people will supplement dry food with canned food.
Health care varies quite a bit depending on age, genetic problems, pre-existing conditions and emergencies. At the minimum, the annual cost for annual check ups, vaccinations, monthly heartworm medication and flea / tick control are included in the amount listed above. All responsible pet owners should also invest in the cost of a microchip that can be implanted by your vet ($40). This microchip will help in the event your dog is lost and his collar has come off.
This cost above is calculated for a dog’s healthy years. Vet care will cost more for a puppy and for a dog’s later years.
You should also have a plan for dealing with emergencies; a broken leg ($500), emergency surgery ($2000_, or multi day care for serious illness ($5,000). There are also smaller non-routine costs that add up: $200-$500 for a visit to deal with a bit to your dog, other lacerations, muscle strains or unexplained lethargy. To help parlay these costs, some owners invest in pet health insurance.
At the least, when dogs age, they should undergo a dental cleaning and have a geriatric blood profile.
Grooming costs will depend on your dog hair coat and your lifestyle. Even low maintenance dogs will need to have their ears cleaned and toe nails clipped, and many owners need vets or groomed to take care of this until they get the hang of it.
Most municipalities require dogs to have dog licenses. This is especially true if you intend to enjoy one of your town’s dog parks. Owners of unlicensed dogs are generally subject to a fine.
Most owners work full time and have other obligations that keep them away from home. If you are away from home more than 8 hours, you should have a dog walker exercise your dog. Dog walking rates are usually $10-$15 per day in urban areas, which adds up to over $3500 a year. If you plan to travel without your dog, you should also consider the cost of boarding or a pet sitter. Kennel rates run from $20-$45 per day for a 50lb dog, so going away for one week can cost you more than $200.
All dogs should benefit from some sort of group obedience class. Most adult dogs will suffice attending one or two levels of basic obedience that will help develop good communication with the owner and teach the dog to obey in distracting situations. Puppies should attend socialization classes, too, to ensure that they become familiar to many different places, people and situations.
Some dog owners prefer to send their dog to a training camp or take private lessons. Owners of dogs with special problems might need the guidance of a behaviorist. The ultimate recovery time and cost depends largely on the availability and commitment of the owner.
WOW!!! Can the average dog be worth this $1500 - $2000 annual price tag? Of course!!! Be realistic about the costs that you are willing to cover so that your new best friend never pays the price of going without needed care.