Can I afford to have a pet dog or cat?

The cost of owning a pet is about more than just the expense of feeding it.  Unfortunately, many people do not take the time to budget finances or their time that is needed for properly caring for a pet before they get one.  This fact often leads to trouble down the road in unexpected illnesses/injuries as well as your time to truly interact with your pet, thus giving them much needed mental and physical stimulation. In addition to the financial responsibility in owning a pet, you also need to consider factors such as the dog's size, breed, age, where you live and how the pet will be housed, your own lifestyle and the pet's individual needs.  For example if you live in an apartment, with no yard and work an 8-10 hour day, a large breed dog such as a Great Dane would certainly not be a wise choice.

Many will argue, "I love animals, cost is not an issue".  The reality is cost does matter and directly affects the quality and level of care that an animal will receive.  Every day I see animals that are denied basic levels of care and veterinary treatment because of the failure of an owner to recognize that pets cost money.  No pet should suffer because, as an owner, we just failed to consider the cost of ownership.  Often I hear that it is the veterinarian that makes it so expensive to keep a pet, but in reality, medical care is a necessary expense and is often a samll part of the total cost of owning a pet.  Owning a pet is not a right but a privilege and by recognizing that pet ownership can cost a lot of money, will help us to be more prepared and provide better care for our animals.

The cost of owning a dog can be estimated at $700-$3000/year depending on where you live.  Costs for preventative care and veterinary expenses are often higher in urban areas and less expensive in rural areas like Fort Scott, Kansas.  If you purchase a pure breed dog or cat, your purchase alone may cost you hundreds of dollars, for example a purebred English bulldog average cost is 500-$1000, then fail to have it properly vaccinated, provide it heartworm prevention and flea control (minimal veterinary care), your initial financial invest alone will have been wasted money.  On the average, initial puppy/kitten visit,  in our office, will cost $50.00-$75.00 (in Kansas City, you could easily double that!).  During that first year, you can count on spending $300 for veterinary care alone (again double it if in the big city).  These expenses are only for basic minimal care and does not include if your pet has any special health needs.  There are still expenses to consider such as grooming, food, cat litter, boarding and other pet supplies.

No one can predict the future and unexpected expenses do arrive.  You should be ready for these emergencies.  Often some of the biggest veterinary expenses an owner will have are due to emergency medical expenses.  Your pet escapes from your yard and gets hit by a car and has broken bones and/or internal injuries, the cost for this care can well exceed $300 (in our area, $3,000 in the city).  I have given away veterinary care to many over the years, not charging for half the work that my staff and I have preformed for the betterment of the pet, but we can only go so far in doing this.  The fact is a veterinary hospital costs money to run, and as with all businesses, costs to keep them running goes up all the time.  Trust me when I say this, if I got into this business because of the money rather than the emotional rewards, I would certainly be extremely disappointed by now.  The best way to be prepared for unexpected emergencies is to set aside extra money in savings, perhaps have a special credit card (CareCredit), or pet insurance.  It is always heart wrenching for the owner and us at the clinic when we have to euthanize a pet because the owner does not have the funds available to get their pet through an emergency situation that is otherwise very fixable.

Before we consider taking that "free puppy/kitten", remember that there is no such thing as 'free', taking good care of a pet is a commitment to that pet for its life; an investment and a responsibility you owe to that pet when you accepted them into your life.  Cut the budget in other places if you must,  less dinners out, forego that video game you wanted (take your dog for a walk instead), but you should make sure you can cover the basics.  With proper realistic planning you can provide a good life for your pet and have a long and happy life together.