Thinking of adding a cute, cuddly puppy to the family for Christmas this year? While I’m the first one to advocate pet ownership, many people make this decision without truly investigating the time and financial commitment of a dog. A responsible dog owner should always know what they are getting themselves into when purchasing a puppy. The following is an estimated breakdown of the financial investment for the first year of your new puppy’s life.
Initial Vet Bills: $350 ($250 if your shelter dog comes with shots and spay/neuter)
Adoptions fees often include spay/neuter and shots. If you choose to buy a puppy from a breeder, you will need to pay for those services right away. Low-cost spay/neuter programs can charge between $50 – $150 for the surgery. Vet clinics can charge $300 or more. Other vet fees may include shots, and a microchip fee which together tack on another $100. Dogs will also need a monthly heart worm treatment and possible flea prevention, which will be around $100 for the whole year. All this just for a healthy dog! Add another couple hundred dollars for possible illness or injury.
Licensing: $25
You will need to license your dog. This is where spending on the microchip and sterilization can save you some cash. In Salt Lake City , an unsterilized, un-microchipped dog will cost you $35 for one year, whereas a sterilized, microchipped dog will only cost you $20 for three years.
Supplies: About $300 for a medium-sized dog
If this is your first dog, you’ll need an arsenal of supplies. This includes a crate, leash/harness, food and water bowls, a bed, and toys. Also include little incidentals such as poop bags into this list. Ultimately, the final investment will depend the size of your dog and what you choose to buy. All dogs should have a crate or carrier, but some people will choose not to buy a dog bed.
Health Items: $100 – $500
Keeping your dog healthy means maintaining their coat, teeth, and nails. You will need nail clippers, shampoo, a brush, and doggie toothpaste and toothbrush. Also included in this category is grooming costs. Our newfoundland went to the groomers four times a year for haircuts, and was brushed weekly and bathed monthly at home. The yearly grooming cost for a high-maintenance, large dog was around $150 for Petsmart grooming services, but could easily be much higher with a private groomer. Simple grooming supplies start at $80 for shampoo, brushes, and manual nail clippers. Also included in this category is first aid supplies.
Dog Food Cost: $200-$500
Costs vary depending on how much your new puppy will eat, but estimate the amount based on an adult dog. Also factor in storage items, such as a plastic bin and scoop. For a medium-sized dog that eats 3 cups of food per day, you’ll probably need a 30lb bag of food every two months.
Training Cost: Starting at $150, but can be much more depending on the trainer.
Unless you are an experienced dog owner, I highly recommend puppy classes. The least expensive option is a group class at Petsmart or a similar vendor, but you can also pay for a private trainer. If you plan on purchasing videos or books, add that to the cost. You will also need to purchase treats, puppy pads and stain and odor remover for accidents.
Miscellaneous
Other costs associated with owning a dog are harder to pin down. Our newfie went through a phase where he liked to chew shoes. I had to replace a pair of very expensive boots before we all learned to stash our shoes in the closet. Other costs might include installing a fence or doggie door, and boarding your pet on vacations.
So what is the overall cost of that Christmas puppy for the first year? The grand total is between $1,000 and $1,500! While the benefits of owning a dog are far worth the price, a responsible pet owner should always be prepared for the true cost of the first year of a dog’s life with their family. But when you’re prepared for the cost, owning a dog is a priceless joy!
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