You are ready to buy or adopt your little fur baby and have been eagerly researching dog breeds online. You have checked with your landlord that you are allowed a pet. You’ve even purchased the dog bowl and chew toys.
Bringing home a new pet
In your budget, you’ll need to plan for all the costs involved in owning and maintaining a pet. All pets need a suitable environment, an adequate diet, the ability to exhibit normal behavior patterns, proper housing and protection from pain, suffering, injury and disease. Assuming you’re bringing a pet home, you need to plan for:
Essentials to Buy for Your Pet
When you buy or adopt a pet, you must consider what type of equipment you’ll need. This is especially true if you’re adopting a pet with special needs. To get started, here’s a list of the essentials that apply to all animals:
Ongoing Costs Each Year: Roughly $2,862
- Annual vaccinations and veterinary check: $110
- Parasite Control: $120 Stomach wormer, Flea, Tick, Heart worm.
- Annual Teeth Descale: $800
- Food: $600 upwards
- Brush: $40
- Winter coat: $50
- Flea shampoo $20
- Food and Water bowls: $10 each
- Bedding: $90
- Grooming & Clipping Service: $880 per year ($110 per appointment x 8 times a year if you have a dog with curly or long fur and need to take them every 6 weeks).
- Enrichment Toys, Dental toys, and treats: $60 upwards
- Waste bags: $75 (24 Rolls of 15 Bags (360 bags) · Approx 12 Months Supply)
- Leash: $49 1 leash
- Collar: 1 collar $45
- Council Permit renewal: $99
- Microchip renewal: $54
- Pet Boarding or House Sitting by a Pet Sitter: $25 x 14 days = $350
- Exercise – Dog Walking Service: 1hr at $45 per hour x 5 days per week x 52 weeks = $11,700
- Doggy Day Care service: $45 per hour x 5 days per week x 52 weeks = $11,700
- Puppy Critical Socialisation service: between 3 and 14 weeks of age: 1hr x $25 per session x 11 weeks = $275
- Obedience Training: 1hr at $120 per hour x 8 weeks = $960
Veterinary Costs
Puppies and dogs need vaccinations and later spaying and neutering. They can also incur unexpected costs if they get sick or have accidents needing medical treatment. This cost is hard to estimate and can be nothing one year and big bucks another year. Some breeds are more prone to illness so research well from the beginning. Pet insurance is highly recommended.
Dog Food and Treats
If you give your dog a choice of many brands and flavours you can guess they will lap up the most expensive one on the market. Save yourself some dollars and try the cheaper brands first. Buying in bulk can also save a lot. Just make sure you seal the food well after each feeding so it stays fresh. Don’t forget you need dog bowls for food and water.
Enrichment Toys
You do need a dog leash to take it for walks in public and maybe a rug for car trips so your seat isn’t covered in fur. Dogs seem to have as many toys as children with pet shops full of all kinds of entertaining items from chew toys to jingly balls to soft toys. A small collection is enough for some play time. On the other hand, some dog toys might be deemed necessary, especially if it stops your pooch from chewing the corner off your expensive sofa. If you plan on getting a big dog or want it sleeping outdoors you might also need a kennel or cage. Who knew a dog needed so much?
Bedding: a basket with a blanket will suffice for cats and dogs. Rodents need a suitable cage and bedding, such as shredded paper, shavings or straw, though different rodents have different requirements. For example, never use pine shavings for rats, as they are allergic to the oil, and only use hay for guinea pigs because straw is harsh and can scratch their eyes.
Food and water: cats and dogs need two separate bowls for food and water. Caged animals need a food bowl and a water bottle. Consider purchasing extra bowls and bottles. Clean and wash them regularly.
Grooming: you’ll need brushes or combs, depending on your pet’s coat. For long-haired animals you’ll need fine-toothed combs to remove knots; a metal brush is best for wiry-haired animals.
Exercise: different pets need different leads, collars, garden runs, wheels and other equipment, but they all need exercise. A daily walk not only helps keep your pet fit, but can limit the risk of them getting illnesses such as constipation and diabetes.
Grooming and Hygiene
To keep your dog clean and smelling fresh on a budget you will be washing that pooch yourself with dog shampoo and will also need to invest in 1 or 2 good quality brushes to keep it’s coat looking nice and in great condition. If you want to let someone else do the job, you can pay a professional pet groomer to take care of the job. How often your dog needs bathing depends on the season, where you live and the breed of dog you choose. Your dog’s nails will need to be trimmed every 4-6 weeks. Some dogs don’t like nail clipping so it’s often easier for a vet to do it.
Pet Sitters
When it’s time for a holiday you will need to seek out the services of an experienced and trustworthy pet sitter who can take care of your dog. Using an agency to hire a pet sitter might cost a little more but the peace of mind that your pet is safe and properly cared for is invaluable.
Add up the costs listed and you can calculate the yearly cost of owning a dog. Keep in mind owning a dog is a lifetime commitment and most dogs live to be at least 12-15 years old. Once you know your budget is fine you can go ahead and invite that adorable little pooch into your family.
Microchipping
Dogs and Cats must be microchipped through a Vet or Shelter and registered from 12 weeks of age. If your pet escapes, a Vet, Council, or Shelter will scan them and your contact details will display on their computer to contact you to pick them up.
Property Pet Proofing
Puppy proofing your backyard is important. Fences and gates much not be able to be squeezed through, under, or above. This might involve solutions such as chicken wire, heavy rocks, heavy wood sleepers. Fence palings should have limited slats to prevent dogs barking at outsiders causing noise. This might involve Cats should have an outdoor shaded secure cat net enclosure, or be kept inside.
Enrichment Toys
animals need to play as much as humans do. Toys are fun and allow you to interact and bond with your pet. Most rodents need toys they can gnaw to keep their ever-growing teeth at an appropriate size.
Food
consider your pet’s diet requirements. It’s best for all animals to have dry food daily, since it helps keep their teeth clean and trimmed. Some animals need extra or special food. For example, guinea pigs need a lot of vitamin C, so you must feed them fresh vegetables every day. When choosing a pet food, look at its ingredients — some foods contain a lot of sugar and fat, which isn’t good for your pet. If your pet has a medical condition, such as diabetes, you may need to buy special food from your vet.
Vaccinations
Dogs require yearly vaccinations against parvovirus, distemper, hepatitis and parainfluenza. The first course for puppies is two vaccines, one given at 8 weeks old and the other at 10 weeks old. You must also vaccinate against rabies.
Cats require yearly vaccination against panleukopenia, chlamydia, leukemia and upper respiratory disease. The first course for kittens is two vaccines, one given at 8 weeks old and the other at 12 weeks old.
Parasite control – flea, tick and worming
Both dogs and cats also need flea, tick, and worming treatments. It’s important to treat for fleas every month and for worms every three months. Treatments are available from your local vet.
You can vaccinate rabbits against viral haemorrhagic disease and myxomatosis with two shots given separately, every six months. Most other small rodents do not need specific vaccinations, though you should always check with your vet.
Teeth
Animals also need regular dental checks and dental descaling. Rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, rats and other rodents’ teeth grow continuously and can cause problems if not checked and maintained.
If you don’t like chemical medicines, there are natural and holistic alternatives readily available. For example, acupuncture as a complementary therapy has proved to help with arthritis in dogs and cats, and massage can help calm nervous animals.
There are many homeopathic and herbal remedies available from pharmacies and pet shops that can help with joint suppleness, deterring parasites, aiding digestion and calming traveling animals. Always consult your vet before trying alternative treatments since they may interfere with any conventional medical treatment your pet receives.
The more you know about your pet, the better an owner you will be. The basics outlined here are just a starting point.
