How Much Will That Dog Really Cost?

As He Grows:

Now, dogs require annual checkups, dogs should have refresher training classes, food, toys, treats, heartworm preventative and the like. Add all this up in one year and it is amazing how much you can spend It is very easy to hit that $600/year estimate even after your dog's first year has passed.

Emergencies

Dogs get sick, accidents happen – even to the best of us. It is not unreasonable to expect to drop hundreds of dollars or more for an emergency. This is just part of being a dog owner. A hit by car can easily run over $1,000. If you cannot handle the expenses of basic day-to-day care, you may not be able to handle emergencies. There are pet health insurances available to help cover some costs.

Another option is to keep a credit card on hand that is used ONLY for serious emergencies with your pets (trick: do not carry the credit card with you, too much temptation). The cost of just walking into a clinic for an emergency can run $40 - $75 depending on if you go to your regular vet, an emergency clinic or if the emergency is after hours. However, if you suspect a serious problem with your dog, do not let it go to see if it gets better. Often waiting can mean the vets have a worse situation to deal with and the cost can be greater to you in the long run.

Chronic Health Issues

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