Before you get a dog, it is wise to familiarize yourself with the costs involved in getting a dog. How much does a dog cost per year? Many people overlook the costs. On average you will soon spend 2 dollars per day on food, but the dog needs much more than food alone. Even if you keep it as cheap as possible, you will soon lose 750 to 800 dollars annually on the maintenance of a dog.
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Approximately how much does a dog cost?
A dog from the shelter costs between 150 and 200 dollars This is relatively cheap as dogs from shelters have been neutered/spayed, treated with an anti-flea product, and have been dewormed and vaccinated. So you no longer have to spend those costs yourself. But not everyone buys a dog from the shelter. Many people get a puppy because they love starting with a young dog. The costs of vaccinations and castration/sterilization, etc., are usually for your own account. At the animal protection, you can read what a dog or cat from a shelter currently costs. However, prices may vary slightly from one shelter to the next.
Purchase
Depending on the type of dog purchased, a dog usually already costs money. After all, most puppies are not free because puppies are loved and not hard to sell. An ordinary dog without a pedigree costs approximately between 50 and 150 to purchase. Do you want a pedigree dog with a pedigree? Then a dog quickly costs 500$, but there are of course also expensive dog breeds that even cost 2000$ or more.
stuff
A dog also needs stuff. The minimum things you should bring into your home if you take a dog are:
- collar and leash and/or harness. Costs approximately between 35 and 60 $.
- toys. Cost about 10 $.
- basket or blanket. Costs quickly between 10 (blanket) and 40 $ or more (basket). Depending on the size of the dog
- crate or dog house. Costs approximately between 60 and 300 $.
- food bowl and water bowl. Cost about 7 $.
- brush. Cost about 4 $.
All prices are the average price in the year 2017. However, these items can also be regularly found second-hand. You can then also have excellent items at home for about half the price.
One-off costs
The dog can be spayed or neutered sooner or later. Unlike cats, dogs are not spayed or neutered as often. In dogs, this is usually only done if there are (medical or behavioral) problems, which can be reduced by the procedure. It’s not to say that cats are required to be spayed or neutered, but any cat owner (who doesn’t want to breed) usually does because cats will pee everywhere if they’re not ‘helped’. In particular, males mark their territory with urine. Females go into heat and that is no fun for the owner either. If you have to incur these costs, it will cost:
- castration on average 150 $.
- sterilization on average 200 $.
All prices are the average price in the year 2017.
Pet insurance
Also, most dogs undergo surgery once during their lifetime. The costs of a medical procedure at the vet are between 60 dollars to several hundred dollars. That is why skin animal insurance is recommended. The costs of pet insurance are approximately 180 to 200 dollars per year.
All prices are the average price in the year 2017.
Have a dog chipped
Increasingly, owners are having their pet (dog or cat) chipped, in case they ever lose the dog. The chipping costs between 35 and 50 dollars.
All prices are the average price in the year 2017.
Yearly dog costs
Annual recurring costs that you (can or must) incur for your dog are:
- vaccinations. About 100 dollars. (Not everyone does this every year, but it is recommended).
- deworm and flea. About 40 dollars per year (This is really necessary).
- dog tax. About 80-120 dollars. This is not a fixed national price but an indication. The amount you are obliged to pay for dog tax depends on the municipality in which you live. You are obliged to pay this tax.
- groomer about 200 a year (Only necessary for long-haired dogs that need special care)
All prices are the average price in the year 2017.
Food
An adult dog costs about 400 to 600 dollars per year in canned or kibbled food. If you give a dog its natural food, consisting largely of raw meat, it can be a lot cheaper, but with a brand like BARF, it can be more expensive.
All prices are the average price in the year 2015.
Other dog costs
There are also other costs. Think, for example, of taking your dog on holiday, or a dog boarding facility, dog walking service, items that can destroy the dog, medication, and if the dog has become ill or old, costs to put the dog to sleep and the cremation, and so on. These costs quickly add up to more than 100 dollars
All prices are the average price in the year 2017.
