How Much Does Dog Food Cost

Average Vet Bills And Medical Costs For Your Dog

Vet bills can be really expensive. Surgery for broken limbs costs on average £1,500, while more significant treatments, like chemotherapy can be as much as £5,000.

But often its the ongoing costs of long-term illnesses, like diabetes, which can really set you back.

Hopefully your furry friend keeps itself out of the worst kinds of scrapes, but even common problems can set you back hundreds.

Hip dysplasia, a regular issue with popular larger dogs like German Shepherds, Golden Retrievers and Labradors, can cost £500.

So How Much Does A Dog Cost Every Month

Wow.

I mean

Wow.

I knew The Dog was a luxury, but I never would have estimated just how much he really costs on a monthly basis.

When all is said and done, based on these calculations Im spending about $338.61 a month on The Dog.

• $150.00 of that is saving for his emergency fund.
• $188.61 is all of the other costs, from insurance to food to vet bills, averaged out over a year.

Doggy Day Care Options

One is a doggy day care center. There your dog will be looked after, get to play with other dogs and get entertained. You drop him off when you leave for work and collect him afterwards, just like a kids nursery school. This is usually the most expensive option.

Cheaper options can be dog sitters or dog walkers. The cost will depend on how long you employ them to take your dog out for.

One way to reduce these costs is to sign up to a dog sharing scheme. These carefully vet and match together potential dog owners with people who love dogs but arent able to care for one full time. You pay an initial registration fee, but after that its totally free although heavily based on trust.

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How Much Owning A Dog Actually Costs

Dogs make life better for humans. From morning walks to evening snuggles, many animal lovers would argue that the greatest companion you can have is a pet of your own. A 2014 study revealed 57 per cent of Canadian households own pets, with an estimated 5.9 million dogs calling our country home. Theres no question that the love of a family pet is worth all the responsibility and cost that comes with it but what exactly are those costs? Weve crunched the numbers, and with our furry friends approval, are breaking down the cost of owning a dog in Canada in 2021.

Average Cost Of Dog Boarding Kennels

Does your dog really want to go on holiday with you? Well if you decide to leave them at home, you need to be prepared to pay some hefty kennel fees.

On average, youre probably looking at around £17 a day, plus extras for a decent boarding kennel. A live-in pet sitter is probably going to be a bit more expensive at around £25 a day, but your dog will be safe and sound in their own home.

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How Much Does Dog Insurance Cost

The average cost of dog insurance is around £27.7 per month or £332 per year for a ‘Lifetime’ policy , although other types of pet insurance may cost less. However, you may pay less or more than these figures, as the cost of pet insurance is highly variable depending on pet age and breed, as you can see below:

While expensive, pet insurance is highly recommended to keep your dog healthyan illness or injury can easily cost hundreds or thousands of pounds in vet bills, so having the right cover in place can help you treat your pet as they need without you suffering a big, unexpected financial hit.

What Type Of Food Is Best For Your Dog

Veterinarians knowledge of canine nutrition has come a long way in the past few decades. Thirty years ago, experts believed that dogs were carnivores. They now understand that dogs are omnivores.

Still, many dog food manufacturers use sneaky tricks to lead consumers to believe theyre buying balanced and nutritious products for their pets. Some proteins are not easily digestible. For example, corn, a primary ingredient in many conventional dog foods, is one of the least digestible proteins, according to PetMD. Corn is much less digestible than muscle meats, organ meats and egg whites.

Many raw materials that are unfit for human consumption can be legally added to dog food. To add carbohydrates, some manufacturers use cheap grains, which deliver energy but not many other vitamins and minerals.

Plus, most dog foods that you find on grocery store shelves are formulated to meet the average dogs minimum nutritional requirements. Your dogs health and metabolism might be very different from those of the typical canine.

All of this might make you wonder if youre better off cooking fresh dog food from scratch. Theres a convenience factor involved in feeding your pet, though. Many people would balk at the idea of spending time cooking separate meals for their dogs. Fortunately, there is a happy medium.

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How Much Does A Bloodhound Puppy Cost

You should expect to pay a premium for a puppy with breeding rights or even for a puppy advertised as show quality with papers. You should budget anywhere from $1,500 upwards to $5,500 or even more for a Bloodhound with top breed lines and a superior pedigree. The average cost for all Bloodhounds sold is $700.

Can You Afford A Pet

This guide covers nearly every expense imaginable for pet owners. Whether the cost of adoption, medical care, or the standard expenses of food and toys, pets are more than just furry friendstheyre investments. Evaluate your current financial situation before deciding to purchase a pet. No matter how much love youre able to give, you need to ensure you can provide for their other needs, too.

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How Much Should You Be Prepared To Spend On A Dog

Before getting a dog, consider the potential financial implications and whether your budget can handle the added cost.

“Owning a dog is a huge responsibility,” says Cassie Denger, a client relationship specialist at Fort Pitt Capital Group. “As another member of your household, their daily living expenses will become part of your monthly non-discretionary expenses.”

That means you should factor in any puppy care costs alongside your other monthly expenses, such as groceries, gas and rent. And when doing so, be sure to think about which expenses are going to be just a one-time thing and which will be recurring. “These costs will differ based on breed and the overall health of your new friend,” Denger says.

Dog food would be a recurring expense. It’s estimated that dog owners spend between $250 and $700 per year on food and treats. For those with demanding schedules, it’s also common to hire a dog walker. If you paid someone $20 per day to walk your dog each day of the week for a year, that’d be $5,200 spent annually on dog walking alone, according to Stregowski.

A one-time expense might be a medication for a temporary illness or supplies, such as food bowls or dog beds, that you wouldn’t replace every couple of weeks.

Routine veterinary visits can cost anywhere from $700 to $2,000 per year for a healthy dog, according to Stregowski. And any required medications or supplements cost an estimated $200 to $600 annually.

Emergencies And Other Unexpected Expenses

No one can predict the future the unexpected occurs in life all the time. As a good dog owner, you should do your best to be ready for life’s little surprises. Emergencies, chronic illnesses, disasters, and other unplanned expenses can amount to hundreds or even thousands of dollars per year. The cost of an emergency vet hospital visit can start around $500 to $1000 and go well beyond $2000 to $5000. Advanced surgery is anywhere from $2000 to $5000 or more. If your sick pet needs to stay in the ICU, you could be looking at $200 to $500 per day and up.

The best way to stay prepared is to set aside extra money in savings, if possible. In addition to savings, some people keep a credit card or line of credit set aside specifically for emergencies. Some veterinary practices offer third-party healthcare financing or health care credit cards, such as CareCredit. You may even qualify for an introductory zero interest plan.

In a perfect world, dog owners would never have to make choices for their dogs based on money alone, Instead, it should be about what is best for their dogs. With proper planning you can provide for your own dog and live a long and happy life together.

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Budgeting Tips For Pet Owners

Carving out and sticking to a budget is a great idea for pet owners. Heres a look at key ways you can keep expenses low:

• Choose adoption. If you decide to adopt your dog from a rescue shelter, youre not only giving an abandoned dog a loving home, but youll spend much less than you would via a breeder. Some rescue shelters charge just a small fee of about $50 to cover administrative work for your adoption.
• Shop around for food. Your dogs grocery bill is going to be one of your biggest annual expenses, especially if you have a big dog. Always look at flyers for deals at your local grocery store, compare brands to find your most economical option, or buy your pets food in bulk at Costco. You can drive your pets food costs down by shopping strategically but make sure nutrition is still the utmost priority.
• Cut down on travel-related expenses. If youre out of the house a lot for work, or travel, lean on a family member, neighbour or close friend to look after your dog while youre away. Dog walkers, doggy daycares and kennels can be pretty pricey. If your loved ones can step in to help now and then, this will put a dent on your pet-related expenses.
• Keep your dog healthy. Do your research on how much exercise your dog needs and what his healthy weight should be and stay within these parameters. A happy, healthy dog means you wont run into health issues and expensive vet bills as your dog gets older.

Dog Food Cost According To Breed

The larger the dog is the more it costs to feed it each day. Toy dogs generally only eat about a cup of dry dog food each day, medium sized dogs eat 3-4 cups of food daily and large and giant breeds consume 6-10 cups of dry food each day. The average price for limited ingredient dog food is about $.55 per cup. Feeding a toy dog a limited ingredient diet would cost about $16.50 a month, while feeding a medium dog a limited ingredient diet would cost about $50. Large dogs generally cost about $100 a month to feed a limited ingredient diet, while giant breeds cost about $135 a month.

An organic dog food diet for toy and small dogs costs about $15 a month, while an organic dog food diet for a medium sized dog costs around $45 a month. Feeding a large dog an organic dog food costs around $90 a month, while feeding a giant breed dog organic dog food costs about $120 a month. Hypoallergenic dog food costs are generally the same amount of organic dog food costs. A homemade dog food diet costs around $18 a month for a small or toy dog, while the same diet costs around $54 a month for a medium sized dog. Feeding a large dog homemade dog food costs about $105 a month, while a homemade diet for a giant dog costs about $140 a month.

Feeding a dog an average quality dog food or discount dog food is the cheapest. Discount dog food costs about $6 a month for toy and small dogs, about $18 a month for medium sized dogs, around $36 for large dogs and about $50 a month for giant sized dogs.

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Final Thoughts On The Cost Of German Shepherd

The financial costs that come with owning a German Shepherd do not end once you shell out $500 to $4000 USD a pup.

Simply put, GSDs are a costly breed. And aside from allocating your funds for their basic needs, emergencies can happen anytime and you need to financially prepare for these situations.

The perks of having one of the best canine breeds in the world certainly do not come for free!

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Before You Start Cooking: Homemade Dog Food Needs To Be Balanced

Your homemade meal must contain protein, fiber and carbohydrates. Puppies require about 25 percent protein in their meals, while 18 percent is sufficient for adults. However, protein needs change according to your dogs age and vary according to breed, so check with your vet regarding the right amount for your dog. You might have noticed that commercial dog foods often dont list the percentage of carbohydrates. Thats because the proper percentage of carbs in the dogs diet is still not set in stone by the veterinary community and regulators. If youre making Fidos meals yourself, you have the freedom to purchase the freshest, highest-quality ingredients available. Make sure you weigh your dog frequently to verify he stays a healthy weight. Take your dog to the vet before starting the homemade diet so your vet can determine Fidos ideal weight.

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Who Spends The Most

Move over, Baby Boomers. Millennials have more pets than you do. In fact, 57 percent of millennial households own a pet and the generation is 77 percent more likely than other generations to get a pet before they marry or have children. Millennials even tie the purchase of a home to their pets. One-third of millennials, which is the largest group of home buyers, buy a new home to have more space or a better yard for their dog. This age group also spends more on their dogs, with purchases of pet care items, toys, treats, and vet visits.

From that expensive toy you couldnt resist to dog park licenses, a dog-sitter, limited-ingredient diets and all of the ordinary expenses, the cost of dog ownership adds up. Be prepared to forego a few treats for yourself, and sock some money away to cover any eventualities that come along with owning a dog. After all, you not only love and care for your canine BFF, youre also responsible for him every day of his life.

Monthly Costs Of Owning A Dog

As you and your dog settle into a routine at home, youll get acquainted with the monthly expenses youll need to include in your budget for keeping Fido happy and healthy. The big ticket items like purchasing your dog, getting him to the vet, and helping him settle in at home with a bed, doggy bowl, collar and leash are all out of the way. Heres a look at the monthly costs of owning a dog:

Once again, these are rough estimates, but try to consider these factors and if your dog needs these tailored options:

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How To Reduce The Cost Of Dog Ownership

Weve already discussed cost saving by adopting rather than buying and choosing a breed with low grooming costs.

You can also save by looking for previously used dog supplies from people who no longer need them, and shopping around if you need services like training, grooming and day care.

To save in the long run, you should also never neglect preventive healthcare. Firstly, make sure that your dog gets all the basic vaccinations to avoid illnesses that could lead to huge veterinary bills or even be fatal.

Yearly wellness checks are just as important for dogs as they are for humans. Potential health issues can be detected early and treated before they become a serious health issue thats extremely costly to treat.

How Much Does A Dog Walker Cost

If youre working, you might want someone to come in a walk your dog for you during the day.

There are a large number of companies and individuals offering this service and dog walking prices can vary depending on how long they take your dog for and how much exercise they need.

A rough average price would be £10 for an hours walk, but obviously youll be looking at more if youre after a day-care service.

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How Much Other Household Items Cost

When you get a dog, there are several items youâll likely want to buy to make them comfortable in their new home. Their food and water, for example, needs to put in a dish of some sort. And youâll likely want at least one collar, leash, and a doggie bed for them. There are also other items, like poop bags, that are required to adequately pick up after your pup. And last but not least, theyâll likely want to have a toy or three to keep them occupied. These arenât recurring costs, for the most part, though if youâre like many pet parents, you might not be able to resist buying them a new toy once in a while. Getting the basics, however, will likely cost at least $50.

Total: $25-$50/month

How Much A Dog Costs Per Month

Average Dog Cost: $99-$929/month*

This number differential is largely because of dogwalking/doggie daycare costs

How Much A Dog Costs Per Year

Average Dog Cost: $1,188-$11,148/year*

This number differential is largely because of dogwalking/doggie daycare costs

As you can see, having a dog isnât necessarily the cheapest thing in the world, but what you get in return from them is truly priceless. The average yearly cost to own a dog ranges based on your location, your pet parenting style, and general budget restraints, but this article should give you a pretty good sense of what you’ll need and how often.