Need some advice

How expensive is it to own a dog? We have a cat now and he isn't much of an expensive at all. My DH really wants a dog and I am a bit on the fence, really due to cost. Someone said they would give us their crate to keep the dog in, but with food, vet costs?, shots, etc... I am worried.
Can anyone give advice?

Re: Need some advice

That's funny, I posted about that before we got our dog. There are the costs of things you plan, and the things you don't anticipate. The first year we had Brinkley, he went to the vet for:

ear mites
stomach rash
infected scratch on his neck
roundworm
vaccinations
eye injury from another dog
neutering

Besides the neutering, I anticipated none of this and I'm very thankful we had put aside money for his care ahead of time. We started saving a full year before we got him.

I think it's a responsible dog owner (or potential dog owner) that ensures they can afford their needs, medical and otherwise.

For the "normal" stuff, here's my old thread with everyone's suggestions: The cost of dog ownership

Re: Need some advice

I personally think when your dog is healthy they are not expensive at all.
Maybe 150.00 a year for shots and yearly check up.
10-15.00 a month for heart worm pills
For warmer month a dose of frontline(15.00 )
and the cost of food.
These are the basic needs.. then if you become a spoiler ..like myself that is when the money adds up LOL !




But it is what you are "unprepared " for that costs you .
You have to antcipate something might happen.
You have to get a dog knowing that if something were to happen you will take care of it.

I think GreekFreek got it right when she said
" I think it's a responsible dog owner (or potential dog owner) that ensures they can afford their needs, medical and otherwise. "

Re: Need some advice

Thank you both for responding. I am looking into a foster shelter out east. My sister adopted a dog from there last week. Amazing dog. I know all dogs are not the same but it really inspired me. My husband has been wanting a dog forever, and I've been more of a cat person. But recently I have looked at this one site and fell in love with a dog. He is young, not trained, nuetered and mircochipped.
I am just so worried something will come up and be a huge cost. Still pondering...

Re: Need some advice

ive had dogs
and now married we have a cat.

I agree if your dogs are healthy the cost isnt all that much. We really only spent $ on dry dog food and then the occassional vet visit. I guess I would say dogs go to the vet more then cats for vaccinations so that may be costly, however, for our cat he gets wet food (1 can a day at almost 80 cents each), dry food (I buy a bag every 2 weeks or so) and litter (probably a 25 lb bag every week-2 weeks). I find it to be more expensive with the cat

Re: Need some advice

we have both a dog and cat right now... i agree with you, a cat is def less expensive.... i dont give our cat frontline or anything so he doesnt need any month to month care -- just food, litter and yearly checkup/shots (and of course the occasional visit to the vet in between)

for our dog, its

- heartworm pill & frontline once a month (we get a 6 month supply from our vet, but the PP who listed prices was about right)

- dog food is about $50 for the HUUUUGE bag, but that lasts us for about a little over a month

- vet bill for yearly checkup is about $120-$150... but we have taken our dog to the vet WAY more often than our cat

those are the major costs.... if you want to get tecnical, you have the food bowls, hair brush, we put drops in hershey's ears once a week, leash (and anything special that the dog will need to go with that-like a harness), toys, we installed a doggie door for hershey... those things do add up, but stuff like toys you can control how much you spend

its a really wonderful thing to own a dog -- BUT you have to be sure that you are 100% ready b/c its a 15 year commitment!!