When you have a pet – whether it’s a cat or dog – there are going to be expenses. These are the ones you might not think of!
Before you give in to your child’s constant pleas to buy a cat or dog, give careful thought to how much this act of kindness is going to cost. You can give them first the best cordless water fountains for cats.
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There are ways that you can purchase a dog and accessories at a reduced cost. But, you could still find yourself parting with a considerable amount of money. And for high-quality, nutritious food for dogs, you can have a peek at this nom nom vs. the farmer’s dog post here to see which one is better for your pet dogs!
You can be faced with other upfront costs, which range depending on where you live. Costs such as;
- Microchipping can be around $60.
- Desexing can cost between $250 – $600.
- Council registration can cost between $40 and $150. Registration fees can also depend on whether your cat or dog has been desexed prior to registration.
It’s not just the initial cost of a dog or cat. Hidden expenses exist throughout the lifetime of pet ownership. It’s very simple – if you can’t afford the costs, consider a low-cost pet.
Let’s take a look at some of these dog and cat costs.
Basic health care
Some dog breeds are more susceptible to health problems and tend to cost more in terms of veterinary care.
The same applies to cats. No matter which breed you choose, there are certain health costs that you must pay.
Part of these expenses can be alleviated by signing up for pet insurance. Check out Bivvy.com for affordable plans.
Dog and Cat Health Care Expenses
| Item | Dogs | Cats |
| Vaccination | $70-$100 | $80 |
| Worming | $8 per month | $6 per month |
| Flea prevention | $10 per month | $6 per month |
| Regular health check | $70 | $70 |
*All amounts are averages
Equipment and food
As well as paying for veterinary care of your cat or dog, take into account the amount you will need to spend on making sure they are fed, and have all the accessories they need. Costs for natural pet foods for cats and dogs tend to be similar, on average. If you opt for a high-quality diet like human-grade dog food – expenses can be much higher.
Expect to pay for items such as:
- Toys and treats – $30 upwards.
- Cat litter – $120 upwards.
- Food – $550 upwards.
- Grooming – $50 upwards.
These are the approximate minimum costs that you will need to pay each year, for the entire life of your pet, based on information provided by the RSPCA, and if you need your dog to be taken care for a while, you can use the best dog boarding in Melbourne which is an affordable extra cost.
This can be many years, as dogs such as retrievers have an average lifespan of around thirteen years. House cats can live for upwards of fifteen years.
Also factor in costs such as dog daycare when you go on holiday and you can’t bring them with you.
Looking at all of the costs we have listed, you can see that owning a cat or a dog can cost you a considerable amount of money. Initial costs can be $1,150 or more. Expect to pay $880 or more each additional year of ownership, based on information provided by the RSPCA.
Make sure that you are ready to have a cat or a dog in your home. Do not just give into your child’s wishes.
If they really want a pet, it might be better to start with something smaller and more affordable, such as a goldfish or a hamster.
This way, you can introduce your kids to having a pet, without making such a large financial investment.
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