Dogs are one of the most popular pets in the U.S. today with 60.2 million homes owning one or more dogs. As living creatures, dogs require a lot of care and attention to meet their basic needs, which comes with a hefty commitment of time, energy and finances. The reality is that very few people realize the actual cost of owning a dog per year, let alone the cost of owning a dog over its lifetime.
Some people may ask why would it matter what it costs to own a dog. After all, many people consider dogs to be an important part of their family and would not put a price on their health and happiness. The hard facts are that the costs of owning a dog are extremely important considerations for a number of often overlooked reasons.
Start by Doing Your Homework
While the "adopt don’t shop" mantra runs rampant through social media, the reality is that there is nothing wrong with making a conscious choice to purchase a well-bred dog from a reputable breeder. While these puppies come with a higher up-front price tag from $800 to $2,000 or more, reputable and responsible breeders perform many genetic and screening tests on their breeding dogs to promote the overall health and temperament of a breed. However, it can be easy for prospective pet parents to be misled into purchasing dogs from backyard "breeders" that fail to take dogs’ health or temperament into consideration. While it may save a few hundred dollars in the beginning, poorly bred dogs with bad hips, allergies or aggression issues end up costing far more at the end of the day.
On the other hand, there are shelters upon shelters filled with dogs waiting for homes. For those prospective pet parents who do not have their hearts set on a specific breed or a puppy, then going to a shelter or rescue to adopt a mixed breed dog is often the best course of action. While the precise history of these dogs may not always be known, shelters and rescues should have their dogs evaluated by veterinarians and behaviorists to assure that they are healthy and have a good temperament.
So How Much Does It Really Cost to Own a Dog?
The specific cost of caring a dog is dependent upon a number of variables. As with real estate, location matters. Those that reside near major metropolitan areas can expect to spend considerably more than those in more rural locations. The cost of living is higher in these areas, which translates to all aspects of a dog’s life, including grooming, boarding and veterinary services. According to the ASPCA, the estimated cost of owning a dog on average is between $1,471 to $2,008 for the first year.
Pet parents must factor in the initial costs of acquiring a dog, such as the purchase of a collar, leash, crate and toys, in addition to spay or neuter surgery, and microchip placement. Ongoing costs for food, treats, veterinary exams, routine diagnostic testing, vaccines, deworming, preventive medications, licenses and health insurance must be anticipated. Using a 12-year life expectancy, very conservative estimates bring the total lifetime cost of caring for a dog to $10,000 to $14,000, but these totals can easily exceed $30,000.
The cost of owning a small dog can be less than that for a large dog due to the discrepancies in food costs, medications, boarding and grooming. For dogs experiencing chronic health problems, behavioral problems, or those requiring more extensive grooming, these totals can pass $40,000, with some pet parents spending two to three times this amount. Of these totals, less than 40% is typically spent on veterinary care.
Time Commitment
Not only is owning a dog a big financial investment, but they require a tremendous amount of time. Dogs require a considerable amount of a pet parent’s attention, with some breeds and individual dogs requiring more than others. Prospective pet parents should prepare to spend sufficient time each day walking, playing with and caring for their dog. If left to their own devices, bored and lonely dogs often become anxious and destructive.
Unexpected Expenses
Ultimately, people have dogs because they love dogs. Having a devoted companion to share life’s up and downs without pretense or judgment is one of the very reasons that dogs are known as human’s best friend. But what happens when a dog has a serious injury or gets suddenly ill? Planning ahead for potential unexpected expenses or being caught off guard can be stressful for most pet parents.
Some pet parents opt to open a savings account for their dog where they can add some money each month in order to have an emergency fund should a sudden problem arise. Other pet parents choose to purchase an insurance policy for their dog. While every insurance company offers different policies with various exclusions and coverage, most include emergency conditions. Some insurance policies also cover preventive and wellness care. Before purchasing pet insurance, pet parents should compare policies from different companies to find one that best suits their needs and budget.
Prior to bringing a dog home, prospective pet parents must evaluate their lifestyle, time availability and budget. Caring for a dog is a huge commitment that should not be taken lightly. Owning a dog is not a right, but is a privilege and luxury. Dogs are living creatures and not disposable playthings. If a prospective pet parent is unable to meet the needs of a dog or is not fully committed to providing the time, energy and finances that a dog requires, then they should not bring a dog into their home.