The Financial Side of Pet Ownership
If you have decided that a dog or cat (or another pet) is right for you, you might be so focused on the snuggly soft ears and the sunny summer evening walks.
And that is great because one of the most important things is that you are ready to give plenty of love and safety to your new furry, fluffy or feathery friend.
But one of the biggest parts of pet ownership is the commitment to spending money regularly on your pet.
Here are just a couple of the things that you will need to keep in mind when it comes to big and little costs associated with pet ownership.
The costs between older animals and younger ones will vary.
The Financial Side of Pet Ownership
Spaying and Neutering
Getting your cat or dog fixed is one of the best things you can do for their health, but it is a cost that you will need to make sure you have ready. Not long after you pick up your puppy or kitten, you will be able to book a check-up with the vet, and they will advise you of the best timeline and plan for the care and treatment of your pet.
The prices can vary wildly between dogs and cats, so it is good to save up to around $200 to cover the costs.
Pet care
You will be spending a regular dollar amount on things like bags for the poop-a-scoop for cleaning up your dog’s waste while you’re on a walk. However, if you choose a cat, you’ll need to make sure that you are prepared to help them to use a litterbox.
Cats will typically use a litter box immediately, although there are some that might need a little encouragement. Some kitty litters will be of much higher quality than others, so you need to find one that both you and your cat both like.
Litter boxes aren’t too expensive, but you can buy high-end ones that have technology built-in to help you care for your pet.
While the litter box is a one-off cost, the cost of litter is ongoing.
Insurance
You never know if and when your pet might get sick or have an accident – and while we hope it never happens, pet insurance is an absolute must. If your pet did have a disease or illness and required extensive veterinary care, your pet insurance can make sure that your pet gets the best care you can afford.
Licenses
Depending on the breed of dog you have, you might need to have a license for them – any restricted breeds, or if you need to declare your dog as dangerous, will be subject to a yearly fee.
You’ll need to register your dog before they are three months old. Part of good dog ownership means getting your puppy chipped and having all the required paperwork in order.
Aside from these costs, you will also need to buy high-quality pet foods, toys, bedding, and other comfort items for your pet. If you like to be prepared for all possibilities when it comes to your pet, you’ll love this post: Essentials Items To Have In Your Pet’s First Aid Kit – Beautiful Touches.
The cost actually buying a puppy these days is horrendous.
I appreciate you bringing light to this topic. I think the financial commitment of a pet is something some people tend to forget. Like humans, they need quality food, they need medical care and they need someone to look after them when you are gone for long periods of time. It’s worth the commitment if you ask me, but I do think some people need to be more prepared when going into it!
This is such a great post! Pet costs can add up to more than you’d think, but I feel like they’re definitely worth the expenses. 💜
Another expense is if you go on vacation and have to board them because you can’t take your dog with you!
Oh yes, things can add up. Luckily we just have cats and guinea pigs so they haven’t been too pricey.
Owning a pet can be terribly expensive! It’s so important to do your research before adopting so they have a long-term home that doesn’t put you in a financial burden.
I think many people forget about the financial obligation of pet ownership… Thanks for bringing this to light.
Pets can be expensive. When we were on food stamps, we had a hard time providing food for our cat.
We got a pet a few months ago and it’s very expensive. That’s definitely an aspect of pet ownership that people don’t think about at first.
I seem to find all the pets that cost a lot of money. ALL of my pets have needed monthly meds (one was over $100 a month!)
Couldn’t agree more! We aren’t pet owners but have heard from our cousins and friends about the expenses. Great post for those who are planning to welcome a furry baby in their families.
This has come at a good time for me. I’m considering getting a dog but am currently doing research. Insurance will be expensive I’m guessing.
This is such a really great and very informative post, specially for those new furry parents.
We recently bought a dog and now we are looking for an insurance for him. We prefer making an all inclusive insurance so we are looking for some options.
Having a pet can be expensive, for sure. We don’t have dogs here but we have a few back in my hometown.
Pets can be quite expensive and people should be better about considering all the expenses that go into pet ownership. These are all such important things to remember.