6 Expenses for Man’s Best Friend

 One of the benefits of a zero-based budget is learning where the money goes. You know at a high level, but it’s easy to overlook minor expenditures unless they are tracked.

After a few months I learned we spend a lot on our cat and dog and frankly the dog is the lion’s share of the expense.  Charger (have I mentioned how much I love football) is a lot of fun but he’s expensive.  The $5 bandanna he’s wearing above from the Belize Humane Society is the least of it.

Purchase

This was our initiation into the cost of dog ownership and basset hounds are pretty low on the cost scale of purebreds.  This is the breed of dogs my family had when I was growing up and for sentimental reasons it was my first choice. 

Next time I plan to get a lower cost dog as AKC registration isn’t meaningful if not breeding.  Purchase of dogs (whether pound or purebred) can range from free to over $1500.  Our was $400.

Vet Care/Medications

As with human babies puppies need several wellness checkups their first year.  Vaccinations are given at at least 3 visits and then there is the spaying/neutering cost bringing the first year total between $500-700.  There are programs for low-cost vaccinations and sterilization in most communities.

Ongoing Charger has a yearly checkup where he gets booster vaccinations.  He gets a prescription for heart worm preventative which is given monthly.  This costs $100 a year. 

Because of the year round mild weather (no, I’m not complaining) fleas never disappear and both animals are dosed monthly.  I buy this medication at Amazon.com for an annual cost of about $105 for Charger alone. 

You never know when an illness or injury will result in needing veterinary care.  Charger has needed care a couple of times for illnesses resulting in bills each time between $100-300. 

Annual Cost: $350

Food

I am picky about Charger’s food eliminating any type with fillers.  This meant we were buying premium food from the pet store.  Then I discovered the equivalent product under the Kirkland brand name at Costco.  Even with these savings we spent just over $60 last weekend stocking up on canned, dry and snack dog food products for a two month period. 

Annual cost: $360.

 Boarding

The live-in son takes care of the cat when we take a solo vacation.  The dog needs to be taken out several times a day which he can’t due when at school or work.  We found a good kennel for Charger that isn’t $40 plus a day.  We have boarded him anywhere from 8-17 days at $24 a day (and that includes heated/air conditioned enclosure).

Annual cost: 240 (average 10 day vacation)

Grooming

This is where we save money compared to some other breeds.  We give Charger monthly baths and keep him clean in between.  I even brush his teeth.  Neither one of us can handle clipping his nails.  I cut too far down once and am forever scarred.

So once a quarter he goes to the local Petco groomers to get his nails clipped and ears cleaned (important for bassets).

Annual cost: $80

Miscellaneous

This is the category where those little things (like the Belize souvenir) fall into.  Dogs love toys, especially squeaky ones, and mine is no exception.  He also loves to destroy them so regular replacement is necessary. 

Pet waste bags are an ongoing expense that can range from $3-6 for one hundred bags until we just found them a couple of months ag at the 99 cent store. 

We don’t celebrate his birthday but Charger does get a stocking with snacks and toys from Santa. Once in a while collars, leashes and dishes need to be replaced.

Annual cost: $100

Summary

The responsibility of owning a dog costs us about $800 a year in ongoing expenses.  The annual cost will vary based on the breed, location and choices.  Knowing the cost now doesn’t change a thing.  The joy and love we get from dog ownership is well worth having this family member. 

Before adding a pet think about all the costs other than the one-time purchase.  Your pet deserves it.

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Tagged as: Budget, pets, Spending