QOTD - Wed 3/2

Lets face it, our pets can be expensive, right? Whether it's vet bills, supplies, food, beds, or toys - the US spends millions on our pets ever year.

We know they're worth it! But what was one of your biggest expenses with your pet?

Re: QOTD - Wed 3/2

The first year we had Brinkley was pretty pricey. We were stuck on getting a Lab and weren't finding good options in shelters, the LI Lab rescue was defunct, and I didn't know we could adopt from out of state. So we went to a breeder and purchased him when he was 9 months old.

To ease our conscience about buying, we set aside the same amount of money we paid for him and made donations to four local shelters. So essentially we paid double for him.

We had (wisely) set aside a budget for him months before we were ready, so we had the money for the frequent trips to Pet Supplies Plus. The first trip alone was $300. We had never had a dog before, so we needed it all - crate, bed, food, bowls, leash, collar, etc.

Upon our first vet visit, we found he had ear mites, double ear infections, a stomach rash, and within 2 weeks also found out he had roundworm. I forced the breeder to pay for it.

Months later was his neuter, then he got a scratch on his neck that got infected and required antibiotics, skin spray for his allergies (and special food), then another dog attacked him at doggie day car and cut his eyelid in two places.

Our first year together was rough! I counted it up once and it was in the $4,000 range. That boy is worth every penny and has been largely accident-free and healthy ever since.

Re: QOTD - Wed 3/2

Besides the original $1,000 for Murphy from the breeder, the next big expense was when we went on our HM and had to board him for 12 days. And then there is the Revolution flea/tick prevention we get him each year. Those 3 things are the most expensive.

Re: QOTD - Wed 3/2

Where to begin? Well, there was the initial breeder charge, then there are all the obedience classes, rally classes, agility classes, the initial conformation classes which we stopped a while ago, show entries, hotels for shows, I spend a fortune on food because he is on a high premium kibble supplemented with a homemade raw diet, toys, treats, beds, oh my I spend a lot on my dog! Don't show this to my husband!

Re: QOTD - Wed 3/2

When we got Odie, we got him from neighbors who were neglecting him. He was supposedly 5, he was a MESS and not nuetered, so there was that expense.
When I finally got him to the vet (which I had to do before I could take him to any groomer) he had to be neutered, had an ulcerated ear infection, a regular ear infection, and a (chronic) skin condition. They gave him all his shots too.
Every year he gets at least one bad ear infection we have to take him to the vet for, and this year he had a fatty tumor removed, he needed x-rays for one of his legs and he needed his ears drained...just goes to show you there's no such thing as a free dog! but I would do it all over again

Re: QOTD - Wed 3/2

With my first cat, the biggest expense was his vet bills.
First one was for a fractured pelvis he sustaned when someone kicked him in the stomach. Needed x-rays and an overnight stay.
Next one was for surgical treatment of two bites on his face that came from fighting with another cat and got infected. Surgery to clean the wounds and an overnight stay.
The last vet bill was for the biopsy that revealed he had cancer, and then having to put him down 5 weeks later.

I haven't had to spend much on Bella yet, but then again I've only had her since November.
Food, toys and a bed she does not sleep in.

Re: QOTD - Wed 3/2

On a monthly basis - food - I probably spend $125 a month on food for them, because I buy Innova or Wellness dry food. I go through 2 x 45 lbs bags in about a month for the boys alone and Zoey gets a smaller bag on her own of the "mature" one.

In a single moment - having Zoey's ACL replaced - the surgery alone was $2700, not including the xrays from the original vet and medicaion, so probably closer to $3000 for the whole thing.


**I did pay $1500 to the breeder for Logan, but I don't really count that.

Also - both boys have Pet Insurance - it's about $250 per year each.

Message edited 3/2/2011 9:28:16 AM.

Re: QOTD - Wed 3/2

His food. A few years ago we noticed that Hades would cry in the morning, even after we fed him. We thought he was being a brat and yelled at him for a week I got worried and decided to call the vet and she suggested it was maybe a urinary tract problem. I thought that was ridiculous since he never peed outside his litter box EVER. We got the kit, got a sample of his urine, and it looked like RED KOOLAID After 2 rounds of antibiotics, he has been fine ever since, but I'm afraid to feed him anything else other than the Hill's Prescription Diet food. So we buy it in bulk. It lasts a few months, but is super expensive.

Re: QOTD - Wed 3/2

Food. They eat like MONSTERS! And their crates. Those things are expensive.

Re: QOTD - Wed 3/2

I luck out with food having a friend that works for a pet store, so I am going to go with Vet bills - my mush of an orange tab is on life number 3, he's always getting into trouble or getting sick.

Re: QOTD - Wed 3/2

Other than the donations to North Shore for the dogs ... and the donations to the SPCA for the cats..
the biggest expense is the food & cat litter! I can't get out of PetSmart with out spending over $100 each time (and I'm there about 2 or 3 times a month).

Knock wood - they're all relatively healthy, so vet bills have been routine... and about $1000 annually for all four.

Re: QOTD - Wed 3/2

The annual visit/physical for my two cockateils is usually over $700 with blood work and stool samples

Re: QOTD - Wed 3/2

My dog's severe environmental allergies and the ongoing treatment that ensues is definitely my biggest pet-related expense. Daily pills, weekly shots, semi-annual checkups, annual blood panels...

Re: QOTD - Wed 3/2

Def. this year and last year due to medical bills. Spent close to $2000 My little poodle has seizures, limping, coughing, fleas, liver issues ah...all within a years time

Re: QOTD - Wed 3/2

My cocker (who is no longer with us) swallowed a penny, when he was 6 months. He couldn't pass it and wound up getting zinc poisoning. He had to have surgery to cut open his stomach and remove the penny. It cost up over $5,000.

Re: QOTD - Wed 3/2

Pokey having crystals on a sunday

e-vet $1500

visits to my regular vet- another $1500

and now RX food- $30 every 2 months

Re: QOTD - Wed 3/2

Food...Smokey is on prescription food and goes through a 22lb bag every month at $70 each...I found it online - at my vet it would be like $90 a bag.

Abby is cheap - she gets regular cat food. I don't even have to spend money on toys for her (although I do ) - her favorite toys are the plastic pieces that seal a half gallon of milk before you open it the first time. She has a whole collection (under the base board mostly )