Thinking about adopting a cat/dog

[Lilywater101]

I was thinking about adopting a cat or small lap dog, but I was wondering how much someone who actually owns a cat or dog spends on them? please help!!(include food costs,vet bills,etc)

 

[texasgirl]

If you adopt it I'll assume it is already spayed/neutered and vaccinated so that takes out a fair bit of the initial cost.
My dog is my best friend and I have no kids so I probably spend a little more on her than the "average" dog owner.

She eats about $50 a month in food/treats.
About $50-75 a year on toys/leash/collar/beds/accessories.
The average maintenance vet costs are $100-200 (depending on where you live and if you choose to vaccinate or not)
Heartworm prevention is about $40/year (A must-have where I am from)

I'd guess I spend around $1000+/- a year on my one dog but like I said, that may be higher than most people.

Cats tend to be less expensive. My two indoor cats only cost me whatever their food and a few packages of catnip mice cost each year. Maybe $150 each. I choose not to vaccinate my cats or dog so that takes a major hunk out of my bills.

ALWAYS plan for emergency, even if it means having a credit card you never use that is strictly for emergency pet care, or have a savings account that you deposit $20 a month in for possible emergencies. There is nothing worse than having a major medical emergency and you have no way of funding your pets medical care.

 

[xfilesnumber1fan]

I have 2 Persian cats..Paid $150 for him and she was free from a neighbor Their shots are $50 each per year..They are declawed that was $150 each..And they eat Blue Spa and that is $60 a month...They are not fixed as I would like kittens....Hasnt happen yet he is still young...

I have 1 dog a min-pin,paid $450 he was fixed,tail and ears done and declaws removed..His food has to come from the vet because he has a very touchy tummy..It is $30 every 2 months..His shots are also $50 a year,,Heart worm pills is $30 every 6 months..Teeth cleaned is $150 only needs it once,Has been sick a couple of time because of his eating problems...$500...

Can add up...

Also have 1 bunny hasnt be to the vet..but food,bedding,snacks,hay, about $35 a month

6 ducks not been to the vet...but food,grit,oyster shells,straw,and tons of water....$30 a month....

 

[sandypaws]

dont forget GROOMING.... even if you get a short hair animal you need to to NAIL care.. and small dogs need their "rear-end" glands and ears checked/cleaned.. aprox 4 Xs a year ...
if you get a small dog that needs coat care.. plan on monthly haircuts..

yeah.. my dogs are my kids... i have 7 dogs.. 4 karelian beardogs as my outside guard/protection dogs and 3 poodles (maybe soon to be 4) right now 1 ST, and 2 toy..
always have about $1000 for emergancy vetbill...
i just spent about $2,000 to save one of my cats life....
and $300 to find out what my STpoodle is allergic to...
and $40 to microchip my new toy poodle...

but "real" people probably wont spend on their pets the same way i do...
the average person?? per year???
$240 food/treats
$100 shots..
i dont live somewhere where i need to do heartworm so i just dont know about that..
$40 leash/collar/name tag/bed/ bottle of shampoo/ brush

possibly... $100 doghouse.... $35 month haircuts/nails....

long haired cats HAVE to be BRUSHED... or they will become matted and need to be shaved....
i have shaved 6 cats in only 2 days (at my shop) i think there are several more on the book the rest of the week

 

[hensdeliverthegoods]

Wow, y'all have some great prices on heartworm prevention.

Cats are generally much cheaper to keep.

 

[sandypaws]

i think no amout of money is to much to spend for a great companion and friend.....
i could not even imagine my life without at least ONE dog... i would rather be "put to sleep" myself than to have to live life without a dog... or horse... or cat.. or reptile... or chickens...

 

[texasgirl]

I'm with you Sandy. Since the day I was born I have honestly never lived a day of my life without a dog in the house and I wouldn't have it any other way. There have been times I've re-considered having kids because I would feel so guilty taking attention away from my girl Pep, lol.

 

[texasgirl]

Quote:
Heartgard is $25/6 months for the smallest size and $34 for the middle size and $42 I believe for the largest size.

Tri-Heart is $19/6 months for the smallest size and $27 for the middle size and $37 for the largest size.

Those are the two best HW products out there IMO.
We carried Revolution for a while at the clinic but weren't 100% comfortable with it so we have gone back to the oral preventative.

 

[greenthumb89]

if your adopting you also have to take in the inital adoption cost, some places are 75 a piece thats what we got my 2 dogs for in missouri, then when we moved my sister wanted a dog and here its over 200 for just the adoption, so look around and keep your options open.

 

[sandypaws]

texasgirl.... DOGS are easier than children.. stick with the DOGS!!!!