How much do pets really cost?
There's no denying that there’s something special going on between animals and their owners. But they sure can be expensive – pets, that is.
I know, I know, you can’t attach a dollar value to things like companionship and warding off depression during those chilly winter months.
And looking at pet ownership in terms of “opportunity costs” seems particularly heartless.
But pets do cost money. Here are some of the numbers you'll need to consider and, if your want to bring kids into the discussion, a worksheet to help you tally them.
All new pets require some basic necessities to get them started, including bowls, beds, collar, spaying or neutering and an identifying microchip or tattoo.
British Columbia's SPCA puts those one-time costs at as much as $292 for cats and $520 for dogs.
How much for annual costs? Including food, vet visits, vaccinations, grooming and licenses, your total costs come in at about $900 for a cat and $1,200 for a medium-sized dog.
Some of this can be offset by pet insurance, of course, although some argue that the premium costs often outweigh the benefits.
Some people have to board their pets on a regular basis, resulting in hundreds of dollars in expenses each time. Boarding or in-home sitters can range from $15 to $30 per day, depending on where you live.
Then there’s obedience training, perhaps an invisible fence so Fido isn’t locked in all day, tickets to Florida, a comprehensive estate plan, and ….
Tell us: How much do you think you really spend on your pets?Gordon Powers, MSN Money
Posted by: Lisa | Nov 13, 2021 9:37:46 AM
Yes, this is why I tell my kids we don't have pets. They are way too expensive. We should be giving instead to help put fresh food and water on the tables of the needy.
Posted by: bob | Nov 13, 2021 9:56:12 AM
There's so many way to save on those cost (can only say about a cat i doesnt own a dog):
- Food
+Buy dry food in the biggest size u can find (often twice the quantity package just cost 20% more)
+Buy the best quality food, you save so much on veterinary
+Dont spoil them, if ur cat never had cans or threats they will not miss them
+Shop around, food price difference can be amazing (for the food i use 10kg bag: 80$ veterinary, 65$ pet shop, 55$ shelter, 45$ garden center.. same exact stuff!!)
-Initial purchase
+Get the animal in a shelter like humane society they will be fixed, tattoo, micro ship everything is included in the low cost and normally u got a lot more choice than at the pet shop
+Get an adult cat they are often priced lower than the kitten and anyway the kitten will be a mature cat in less than one year
+Look around for deal when shelter are over crowded they got sale often half price
-Veterinary : personnaly i go to the doctor every 10 years ... cannot think of a reason why an healthy, indoor, eating calibrated food, 2 years old cat should go to the veterinary every year for a check up???
+Clip ur cat nail yourself (except if u are old enough to do ur own;) )
-Litter: toilet train your cat ... take between 1 to 6 months, its hard, but after the litter pan and odor will be a thing from the past and u save 150$ a year
-Toys & other stuff: here i admit that its easy to go overboard and spend like crazy but there is way to spend less
+Grow your catnip (cost almost nothing in garden center & cat prefer the fresh stuff anyway)
+Build it yourself (a cat tree can cost more than 300$ u can do it urself for less than 50$, same for toy: my cat favorite toy is a ball of sisal rope less than .5$)
+Make sure that u know people or family that can take care of ur cat during a while if u have to travel
way cheaper and im sure that ur cat will prefer that over being in a small cage in a shelter for two weeks
Posted by: Daisy | Nov 13, 2021 12:01:25 PM
Our dog is our best friend and companiion. Recently, she had to be rushed to emergency. We sat in the ER while we waited for the disgnosis. The cost, $5,800. She was worth every single penny.
Posted by: Rachel | Nov 13, 2021 12:13:36 PM
We have 6 cats, and they really aren't nearly that expensive, and as Daisy said, they arw worth every penny even in a medical emergency.
Posted by: Mario | Nov 13, 2021 12:30:55 PM
All I need to do is come home and I am faced with unconditional love and loyalty. What is a dog's companionship worth ?
Well... you come home from a hard day's work in which nothing went right, fought through vicious traffic jams and inclement weather only to be have your face licked, a happy dance performed and joyful celebration displayed. All this for no other reason that you made it back home safe & sound.
You tell me what a dog is worth !
Posted by: Mario | Nov 13, 2021 12:41:33 PM
to Lisa :
Posted by: Lisa | Nov 13, 2021 9:37:46 AM
Yes, this is why I tell my kids we don't have pets. They are way too expensive. We should be giving instead to help put fresh food and water on the tables of the needy.
I suppose you can take this to the extreme. Why have kids ? There are so many unfed children in the world already !
Pets can teach kids about responsibility , caring about and caring for another living being. Pets can teach kids about mortality and a million other things.
I must say however, if you cannot afford to properly care for a pet, you should not adopt one.
Posted by: Skip Bezaire | Nov 13, 2021 1:46:46 PM
I have had the pleasure of the company of a dog for most of my 68 years and have been without the comfort of my Teddy Bear, a beautiful and intelligent golden Lab who was my best friend for over 13 years. In those 13 well fed and well excersized years the cost of shots and boarding didn't exceed $500.
I can see that since then the cost would have doubled for maintenance. At todays costs that computes to less than $80. per year or $6.40 per month plus food. Thats about 2 beers a month at my local pub. I think Teddy Bear would be well worth it. On a fixed income I'm not sure I could do it now so I don't look for a friend but if I could be sure of taking proper care of a pet I would certainly consider taking on the responsibility in a heartbeat. Some people I think have more money than brains when it comes to pets.
The next time you spend a huge amount on an animal only to have them uncomfortable for the rest of their lives just to make you feel better, think of a child who could better benefit from your help.
Hooray to the sensible pet owners of the world. I shy away from the use of the term PET OWNERS.
How about pet partners.Skip.B
Posted by: Lisa | Nov 13, 2021 4:16:46 PM
You are right Mario. Technically I believe you should adopt a child. There are way too many malnourised children in this world. However, I've learned alot in the past 20 years. I wish someone would have informed me 20 years ago the benefits to adopting a child.
However, as far as pets go, I have the firm belief actually that many people want pets because pets don't talk back or discuss or have a different opinion then you, do they?? So, instead of using a pet to teach our kids concepts, why can't we teach them kindness through being nice to humans?? Wow, there's a concept...and cheaper too! ;)
Pets can be nice...for the right person.
Posted by: Brad | Nov 13, 2021 10:20:21 PM
I applaude the people that say pets are a wonderful thing as I am a dog and cat owner and for all the expense it is well worth the unconditional love and companionship that both my wife and I get from them. We consider our pets our children and treat them like I treat our son. As far as getting a pet to teach a child responsibility I personally think that that is a terrible idea as it always ends up that the parents are taking care of the animal and resenting it
Posted by: Brett | Nov 13, 2021 11:17:39 PM
$5800 on a pet!!! WOW YOU ARE NUTS!!!! You Could replace that ol Boy For FREE at the humane society!!! People are soooooooooooooooooo backwards on priorities???
Posted by: Teach Children to Save Money | Nov 14, 2021 12:45:14 AM
Couldn’t agree more, these are great suggestions. As a single parent that was *less* than good with money throughout my youth, teaching children about money is CRUCIAL, in my mind. I’m not going to blame parents, schools, etc, but quite simply, I clearly “didn’t get it”, and I am still paying for those mistakes a decade later!
Posted by: Dr. Steed | Nov 14, 2021 1:52:39 AM
Brett, you are an ass. $5,800 is not a lot of money. Pet's are not just objects that you can throw away and replace when something is wrong. I certainly hope for our society that your family treats you the same way when you get sick.
Posted by: barb yule | Nov 16, 2021 5:28:21 AM
I HAVE HAD BEAUTIFUL LITTLE CHIHUAHUAS..AND POODLES .. FOR 56YEARS NOW... YES THEY ARE MY BEST FRIENDS... YOU CANNOT PUT A PRICE ON THE LOVE THEY SHARE WITH YOU.WHEN YOU ARE SICK THEY COMFORT YOU...THEY DON,T DISTURB YOU WHEN YOU ARE SLEEPING EITHER. THESE LITTLE BABES ARE VERY INTELLIGENT AND LIVE ON THE AVERAGE OF 21YEARS ... I HAD A REAL FAMILY OF CHIHUAHUASLIKE DAGWOOD AND BLONDY REMEMBER THEM...HOW HAPPY THEY WERE!!!I WISH I COULD FIND ENOUGH WONDERFULL PEOPLE WHO LOVE CHIHUAHUAS NOW THAT WOULD GIVE A ""GOOD AND LOVING HOME""" TO SOME OF MY OLDER MOMMIES NOW ... IT WOULD SURE HELP MY WORK LOAD OUT ALOT..TILL NEXT TIME T.T.U.L..BARB
Posted by: Bark Collar | Nov 16, 2021 9:41:32 AM
Invisible Dog Fences have evolved over the past 25 years. The expensive and somewhat ugly chain link dog fences have fallen by the wayside in favor of the new electronic dog fences, which use invisible radio waves. Dogs have a habit of jumping over or digging under chain link dog fences or other solid barrier dog fences. An Invisible Fence is a good idea if you want to keep your dog safe. A wireless dog fence is great because you never have to worry about fixing broken wires. A Wireless Pet Fence is a good option for pet containment.
Posted by: Doris | Nov 17, 2021 11:29:36 AM
Hi Barb Yule, I am a huge Chihuahua lover and foster Chi's through www.ccrt.net We assist those in need by fostering, transporting and placing Chi's in loving home. We do thorough screening of our applicants and also take in surrenders so if you can no longer keep your dog for whatever reason, we will take them in to foster (if available) and give them one-on-one loving care. It is the most rewarding work I have ever done because I see the difference firsthand from when they arrive very scared (because they may have been abused or neglected) to seeing them blossom into trusting, loving courageous little pups. If you want a pet but can't afford one, the next best thing is to foster a dog/cat in need. The rescue group pays all the vet bills and in most cases, also the food. The downside is you may have to give it up once they're adopted but you always get first dibs. I have had almost 7 chi's and I gave each and every one up for adoption and as hard as it was, I knew it was the best thing for them. It does get easier with time. Doris. www.houseofpucci.com
Posted by: Lisa | Nov 17, 2021 12:50:22 PM
I am a pet owner of two dogs, a cat, and two bearded dragons. I am a certified dog obedience trainer, and a huge lover of animals of all types. I spent more in the beginning with my dogs, getting shots, and spaying or neutering. Full cost to date for my Jack is 3 years old is approx. $1600, My Chi who is two is approx $1100 to date :this includes everything except food and the odd bag of treats. Well worth the money, I say! However, some people should not be pet owners. If you aren't willing to dedicate a lot of your time, energy, and money towards a pet - than you shouldn't own one.
Posted by: Todd | Nov 17, 2021 2:00:11 PM
I'm amazed at how stupid some of the ridiculous comments are here. Saying something like "You can't put a price on ________" is simply not true. This article is NOT about what the pet is WORTH, its about how much it will COST to take care of it. The point of this article is to let people know approximately how much it will cost for food, toys, vet bills, etc.. Its said that on average it costs $190,000 to raise a child from birth until its 18 years old. Does that mean that children are WORTH that much/more/less? NO! That's simply a rough estimate on how much it will cost to take care of a child.
Posted by: don | Nov 17, 2021 7:08:32 PM
Well said Todd...... The cost of an animal is different than it's worth. Same for humans. Too bad people feel some animals are worth more than others.