
Written by R. A. Stewart
Most people have a pet of one kind or another but do you know what this is costing you?
I think you might be shocked if you add up the true cost and how it is affected your lifestyle in the present and in the future.
Using a dog as an example, I read that the cost has been estimated at between $1,400 and $4,000 per year but this seems rather conservative and there are some things which have not been included in the calculations.
Initial costs
Purchasing or adopting a dog can cost $125 up to over $1,000 and more depending on whether you obtain a dog from an SPCA or breeder.
Vet work
$150-$1,500 for neutering or spaying and micro chipping.
Odds and ends
$150 upwards for crates, bowls, collars, leads, and litter boxes.
Ongoing Expenses
$400-$1,500 per year depending on the dietary requirements and breed of the dog.
Ongoing Healthcare
$200-$600 per year at the vet for boosters, worm, and flea treatment.
Council Registration
$80-$300 per annum depending on council regulations.
Pet Insurance
$200-$1,200 per year depending on the level of coverage and the age of the pet.
Total cost of keeping a dog during its lifetime
The total cost of keeping a dog during its 14 year lifetime has been quoted at $20,000- $35,000. This can be more if there are major medical issues.
What has not been included is the time spent in looking after a dog. To calculate the cost of this, multiply the time spent by the minimum hourly rate of pay and you will discover just how expensive keeping a dog is.

Reminds me of what Warren Buffet was quoted as saying, “Don’t put your money in anything which needs painting or feeding.”
How Keeping a Dog is affecting your Present and Future Lifestyle
Money which is being used to support pets is money which is not being used to build wealth. It is consumer spending with nothing to show for it after it is going. This money is discretionary spending money because it is an expense which the household can do without. It can also be classed as a liability because it costs money.

The total expenses of keeping a dog adds up to an eye-watering amount during its lifetime. That money is better directed to paying off a mortgage, a retirement fund, education, or rainy day account.
Imagine not having any money for car repairs, a dental or medical emergency, or new shoes because it’s been spent keeping a pet? That is the situation which many people end up in because they prioritised spending on their pets.
The SPCA have had pets dumped on them because their owners could not afford to keep them during a cost of living crisis. Pets are a liability and money spent on them is discretionary spending money. Owning a pet is a choice, not a fixed expense which you have no control over. It’s a choice which you must make with due care and consideration as to what the financial implications are.
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