I have not set my alarm for three months. Not that I’m sleeping in, mind you. At 6:45 every morning, my two puppies start licking my face, indicating that the sun has indeed risen and it is time to get up. Several months ago my husband and I rescued two puppies. And no, we didn’t lose a bet—we consciously decided to adopt two puppies at once. The more the merrier, right?
When Puppy Love Gets Expensive
Taking on the responsibility of dog ownership has cost us a lot more than sleep. As cute as our puppies are, the expenses have added up more quickly than expected. So before you get caught up with that puppy in the window, make sure that you are prepared for the financial (and time) commitment of having a dog.
Here are some of the upfront and ongoing costs that we have encountered, with some additional costs that may come up:
Upfront Costs
- Adoption fees: $450–600
- Spay/neuter: $250–800 (often included in adoption)
- Three rounds of vaccinations: $50–130 per round
- Gear (crate, bowl, leash, bed): $100–300
Total upfront costs: $950–$1,830
Ongoing Costs
- Pet insurance: $25–100/mo.—premiums will vary based on your deductible and total covered amount (read my colleague’s blog to find out what happens when you get don’t this!)
- Food: $50–125/mo.—some dogs have special diets, and others (like mine) just eat a lot
- Flea and tick medication: $10–20/mo.
- Toys and treats: $10–30/mo.
- Annual vaccinations: $50–130/yr.
Total ongoing costs: $100–225/mo.
Surprise/Optional Costs
- Non-routine medical care and emergencies
- Grooming
- Obedience training
- Overnight and longer-term boarding
- Dog walking
- Replacing destroyed possessions (favorite shoes, area rug, etc.)
Total surprise/optional costs: Well, that would ruin the surprise now, wouldn’t it?
Plan Ahead to Welcome Your Family’s Newest Member
When you open your home to a dog (or any animal, for that matter), you are bringing in a new member of the family. While the costs may seem daunting, I think it’s worth it if you’ve planned ahead. And the benefit of getting to wake up to these two faces? Priceless.
