Comments on: The Annual Cost of Pet Ownership: Can You Afford a Furry Friend? http://www.moneyunder30.com/the-true-cost-of-pet-ownership Simple, Honest Financial Advice Thu, 09 Feb 2012 22:53:06 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: kirsten http://www.moneyunder30.com/the-true-cost-of-pet-ownership/comment-page-1#comment-14299 kirsten Wed, 23 Nov 2011 06:40:53 +0000 http://www.moneyunder30.com/the-true-cost-of-pet-ownership#comment-14299 I am still on the fence about buying a dog. I grew up always having animals in the house and I deeply miss that feeling of your dog curling up with you on the couch.. or barking at something, you may or may not have been scared of haha. My husband and I have gone over a budget for a dog and it does seem to really add up. My little girl asked me today for a dog.. and I really want to give her that same relationship with animals that I had growing up.. but at what expense i guess? it is really too bad that a lot of vets charge such unbelievable rates for things. it always surprises me that one vet charges $700.00 for something that, the vet down the street charges you $250.00 for. it's just out of control. I am still on the fence about buying a dog. I grew up always having animals in the house and I deeply miss that feeling of your dog curling up with you on the couch.. or barking at something, you may or may not have been scared of haha. My husband and I have gone over a budget for a dog and it does seem to really add up. My little girl asked me today for a dog.. and I really want to give her that same relationship with animals that I had growing up.. but at what expense i guess? it is really too bad that a lot of vets charge such unbelievable rates for things. it always surprises me that one vet charges $700.00 for something that, the vet down the street charges you $250.00 for. it’s just out of control.

]]> By: Mishka http://www.moneyunder30.com/the-true-cost-of-pet-ownership/comment-page-1#comment-12251 Mishka Fri, 30 Sep 2011 23:54:46 +0000 http://www.moneyunder30.com/the-true-cost-of-pet-ownership#comment-12251 Try owning a horse... $2,500-$150,000 for a horse. Most people I knew spent between $3000-$15,000. $300-$1000/mo board if you don't have a barn on your property. Most commonly in my area is $350. $200-$10,000 for a saddle alone (depending if you buy used or are buying a brand new silvery show saddle) Many people own more than one saddle. $400-? for other tack, such as bridles, girths, training aids and leg protection. $80 for a shoeing and trim. (usually horses go through at least 2 sets of shoes a year. $40 for just a trim EVERY 6-8wks. $240 or so a year for regular vet checkups/shots. $120 for teeth filing (1-2 times a year). $100-$400 for riding boots (western boots or tall boots). $50-$100 for grooming supplies $14/bottle of fly spray...you'll go through several of those per fly season. $40-$300 for a blanket. (depends if it's a lightweight or a winter blanket). $2000-$100,000 for a trailer if you plan on showing or trail riding your horse. Oh, and you'll need a truck to tow it. And you'll need a lot of gasoline when you're lugging around a 1500lb animal in a heavy trailer. $25-$65 for an hour riding lesson should you choose to do them. Other expenses include supplements, horse shows, show clothes, riding clothes, shampoos/cleaning products, buckets, etc, etc, There are ways to own a horse cheaply...but it is nonetheless difficult, especially if you're a young adult... Which is why I sold mine years ago. :/ Try owning a horse…
$2,500-$150,000 for a horse. Most people I knew spent between $3000-$15,000.
$300-$1000/mo board if you don’t have a barn on your property. Most commonly in my area is $350.
$200-$10,000 for a saddle alone (depending if you buy used or are buying a brand new silvery show saddle) Many people own more than one saddle.
$400-? for other tack, such as bridles, girths, training aids and leg protection.
$80 for a shoeing and trim. (usually horses go through at least 2 sets of shoes a year. $40 for just a trim EVERY 6-8wks.
$240 or so a year for regular vet checkups/shots.
$120 for teeth filing (1-2 times a year).
$100-$400 for riding boots (western boots or tall boots).
$50-$100 for grooming supplies
$14/bottle of fly spray…you’ll go through several of those per fly season.
$40-$300 for a blanket. (depends if it’s a lightweight or a winter blanket).
$2000-$100,000 for a trailer if you plan on showing or trail riding your horse. Oh, and you’ll need a truck to tow it. And you’ll need a lot of gasoline when you’re lugging around a 1500lb animal in a heavy trailer.
$25-$65 for an hour riding lesson should you choose to do them.

Other expenses include supplements, horse shows, show clothes, riding clothes, shampoos/cleaning products, buckets, etc, etc,

There are ways to own a horse cheaply…but it is nonetheless difficult, especially if you’re a young adult… Which is why I sold mine years ago. :/

]]> By: Musa Kalamary http://www.moneyunder30.com/the-true-cost-of-pet-ownership/comment-page-1#comment-11228 Musa Kalamary Sat, 25 Jun 2011 00:19:47 +0000 http://www.moneyunder30.com/the-true-cost-of-pet-ownership#comment-11228 I should really re-consider adopting a dog i planned to next week, really seems like too much money involved. I should really re-consider adopting a dog i planned to next week, really seems like too much money involved.

]]> By: bill http://www.moneyunder30.com/the-true-cost-of-pet-ownership/comment-page-1#comment-8314 bill Mon, 29 Nov 2010 17:44:41 +0000 http://www.moneyunder30.com/the-true-cost-of-pet-ownership#comment-8314 I recently acquired my 4th indoor cat. Three of them were from shelters and had a $75 adoption fee. they were already spayed/neutered and had their shots. I use a litter robot which cost over $300, but the savings in litter is remarkable. Pays for itself the first year. I spend $10 a month on litter (generic clumping), and about $40 a month on food...good quality food (Natural balance). The adopted cats received free vaccinations. Since two of my cats are 5 months old, I expect that I may be purchasing one more bag per month (about $13) when they are fully grown. Checkups are only $35 per cat, so annual checkups would cost a total of $140 for 4 cats. So, overall my cat cost per year for 4 cats are: Litter: $120 Vet (routine): $140 Food: $600 (@ $50/month) Total: $860, or $215 per cat. Worth every penny. I recently acquired my 4th indoor cat. Three of them were from shelters and had a $75 adoption fee. they were already spayed/neutered and had their shots. I use a litter robot which cost over $300, but the savings in litter is remarkable. Pays for itself the first year. I spend $10 a month on litter (generic clumping), and about $40 a month on food…good quality food (Natural balance). The adopted cats received free vaccinations. Since two of my cats are 5 months old, I expect that I may be purchasing one more bag per month (about $13) when they are fully grown. Checkups are only $35 per cat, so annual checkups would cost a total of $140 for 4 cats. So, overall my cat cost per year for 4 cats are:
Litter: $120
Vet (routine): $140
Food: $600 (@ $50/month)
Total: $860, or $215 per cat.
Worth every penny.

]]> By: jazmine http://www.moneyunder30.com/the-true-cost-of-pet-ownership/comment-page-1#comment-7057 jazmine Mon, 20 Sep 2010 22:05:30 +0000 http://www.moneyunder30.com/the-true-cost-of-pet-ownership#comment-7057 Hi, I have one small dog (a papillon) which doesn't cost me much anymore. They first year was tough since she was a puppy and had to go for her 3 rounds of shots. After she was spayed and stopped teething(I went through tons of toys) she's getting cheap in her "old" age. $18 for a bag of pro plan selects which last 2 months, I use the sandwich bags as her poop bags ($3.00 at target 250count), vet is $$ I spent $124 for her annual visit in june. I live in New York City, and we pamper out pets dearly here so she has sweaters, coats, 2 coach collars (one with matching leash) (mommy had a discount), treats from petco or petsmart. The expense of having a pet doesn't matter when you come home and see there face light up every day. Even when you only ran to get the mail. Hi,

I have one small dog (a papillon) which doesn’t cost me much anymore. They first year was tough since she was a puppy and had to go for her 3 rounds of shots. After she was spayed and stopped teething(I went through tons of toys) she’s getting cheap in her “old” age. $18 for a bag of pro plan selects which last 2 months, I use the sandwich bags as her poop bags ($3.00 at target 250count), vet is $$ I spent $124 for her annual visit in june.

I live in New York City, and we pamper out pets dearly here so she has sweaters, coats, 2 coach collars (one with matching leash) (mommy had a discount), treats from petco or petsmart.

The expense of having a pet doesn’t matter when you come home and see there face light up every day. Even when you only ran to get the mail.

]]> By: Kim http://www.moneyunder30.com/the-true-cost-of-pet-ownership/comment-page-1#comment-5560 Kim Wed, 26 May 2010 16:04:26 +0000 http://www.moneyunder30.com/the-true-cost-of-pet-ownership#comment-5560 Thank you so much for the info! I've been surfing the net forever trying to pin down some actual real numbers on what to expect for costs associated with getting a dog. Every other website just lists types of expenses and never puts any dollar amount. Thanks to you I can now plan a real budget for my new dog. Thank you so much for the info! I’ve been surfing the net forever trying to pin down some actual real numbers on what to expect for costs associated with getting a dog. Every other website just lists types of expenses and never puts any dollar amount. Thanks to you I can now plan a real budget for my new dog.

]]> By: george naschke http://www.moneyunder30.com/the-true-cost-of-pet-ownership/comment-page-1#comment-4971 george naschke Tue, 06 Apr 2010 11:34:46 +0000 http://www.moneyunder30.com/the-true-cost-of-pet-ownership#comment-4971 I caught the earlier post about the SDXB (Semi Demi Ex Boyfriend)and his comment on the "Thousand Dollar a Day Dog". The animals, in excess, mind you, can cost you a relationship. My wife is a serial cat rescuer. I've drawn the line at seven cats and one bunny. When you have to draw a line, things get tense. I don't want the tension, and I will not occupy the same space as eight cats. I caught the earlier post about the SDXB (Semi Demi Ex Boyfriend)and his comment on the “Thousand Dollar a Day Dog”. The animals, in excess, mind you, can cost you a relationship. My wife is a serial cat rescuer. I’ve drawn the line at seven cats and one bunny. When you have to draw a line, things get tense. I don’t want the tension, and I will not occupy the same space as eight cats.

]]> By: Wednesday http://www.moneyunder30.com/the-true-cost-of-pet-ownership/comment-page-1#comment-822 Wednesday Fri, 13 Feb 2009 20:59:41 +0000 http://www.moneyunder30.com/the-true-cost-of-pet-ownership#comment-822 The puppy classes were only $15 each. The $800 was unforeseen medical. Like most "blues" (which are all MIXES of pit bull/mastiff), she has massive allergies. It was $800 before we got them under control. The puppy classes were only $15 each. The $800 was unforeseen medical. Like most “blues” (which are all MIXES of pit bull/mastiff), she has massive allergies. It was $800 before we got them under control.

]]> By: Wednesday http://www.moneyunder30.com/the-true-cost-of-pet-ownership/comment-page-1#comment-820 Wednesday Fri, 13 Feb 2009 20:55:24 +0000 http://www.moneyunder30.com/the-true-cost-of-pet-ownership#comment-820 I have found the first year to be the most expensive. We got our pit bull/mastiff from the shelter. $200 covered her spay, microchip, shots, leash, collar, bag of dog food. We feed the raw diet that we get from an organic farm and she eats $35 of food a week. $140 a month on food. We use natural balance for training and a large $8 roll lasts us two weeks. $16 a month on training food. We did all three training classes her first year in preparation for her being a therapy dog. Each class ran us $120 for a whopping total of $360. We took her to three "puppy parties" at a trainers class before she was five months old $800 there. I forgot her crate. We bought an extra large when we got her and just sectioned it off when we were housebreaking her. That crate cost us $100. She has never gone to bathroom in the house. She doesn't chew the furniture (despite her love of chewing) because we always have toys for her. We probably spend another $400 a year on various toys. She's worth every penny. This next year will be less expensive, luckily. With our next dog, we won't need to buy another crate. We'll likely adopt a dog that is a few years old so we don't have to go through housebreaking again as well. Our bestfriends got thier puppy from a backyard breeder. They were told she was a fullsize maltese and it turned out she was a runt (or "teacup" aka poorly bred dog). After spending $800 on her (because backyard breeders are CHEAP), they dumped another $5,000 into her medical bills only to lose her barely a year after they got her. Buyer beware. Do your research to be sure you are getting a quality dog if you are going to a breeder. It's worth the extra money to avoid medical bills and heartache down the road. The Humane Society has an excellent breeder checklist for those of you who are looking for a GOOD breeder. Good breeders don't advertise for free. They don't take credit cards. They don't sell CHEAP dogs ($200-800). Their dogs hold champion titles from competing in dog shows. They don't breed their female until she is two years of age. They don't always have puppies available (they breed every few years). They insist on you meeting BOTH parents of the puppy. They get to know you. They make follow up calls. You sign a contract stating that you will notify them if ANYTHING medical crops up with your puppy even five years from now. Why? Because they CARE about the dogs and are all about furthering the breed. If your dog develops hip dysplasia at two, they want to know so they don't breed that female again. It is worth the extra money to ensure you are getting a quality dog. I have found the first year to be the most expensive. We got our pit bull/mastiff from the shelter. $200 covered her spay, microchip, shots, leash, collar, bag of dog food. We feed the raw diet that we get from an organic farm and she eats $35 of food a week. $140 a month on food. We use natural balance for training and a large $8 roll lasts us two weeks. $16 a month on training food. We did all three training classes her first year in preparation for her being a therapy dog. Each class ran us $120 for a whopping total of $360. We took her to three “puppy parties” at a trainers class before she was five months old $800 there. I forgot her crate. We bought an extra large when we got her and just sectioned it off when we were housebreaking her. That crate cost us $100. She has never gone to bathroom in the house. She doesn’t chew the furniture (despite her love of chewing) because we always have toys for her. We probably spend another $400 a year on various toys. She’s worth every penny. This next year will be less expensive, luckily. With our next dog, we won’t need to buy another crate. We’ll likely adopt a dog that is a few years old so we don’t have to go through housebreaking again as well. Our bestfriends got thier puppy from a backyard breeder. They were told she was a fullsize maltese and it turned out she was a runt (or “teacup” aka poorly bred dog). After spending $800 on her (because backyard breeders are CHEAP), they dumped another $5,000 into her medical bills only to lose her barely a year after they got her. Buyer beware. Do your research to be sure you are getting a quality dog if you are going to a breeder. It’s worth the extra money to avoid medical bills and heartache down the road. The Humane Society has an excellent breeder checklist for those of you who are looking for a GOOD breeder. Good breeders don’t advertise for free. They don’t take credit cards. They don’t sell CHEAP dogs ($200-800). Their dogs hold champion titles from competing in dog shows. They don’t breed their female until she is two years of age. They don’t always have puppies available (they breed every few years). They insist on you meeting BOTH parents of the puppy. They get to know you. They make follow up calls. You sign a contract stating that you will notify them if ANYTHING medical crops up with your puppy even five years from now. Why? Because they CARE about the dogs and are all about furthering the breed. If your dog develops hip dysplasia at two, they want to know so they don’t breed that female again. It is worth the extra money to ensure you are getting a quality dog.

]]> By: Jeremy http://www.moneyunder30.com/the-true-cost-of-pet-ownership/comment-page-1#comment-819 Jeremy Thu, 29 Jan 2009 17:40:04 +0000 http://www.moneyunder30.com/the-true-cost-of-pet-ownership#comment-819 I guess those numbers are for a small dog. I have a bloodhound that is about 90 pounds. She eats a $40 bag of dog food every month, at least. I think those food costs should be more like $300-$500 a year. I guess those numbers are for a small dog. I have a bloodhound that is about 90 pounds. She eats a $40 bag of dog food every month, at least. I think those food costs should be more like $300-$500 a year.

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