What's the Real Price Of That Doggie In The Window?

Recently while dropping off our beagle at the veterinary hospital, I overheard an elderly woman say, "I didn't think things would get so bad that I couldn't afford to feed my little dogs or afford their medicine."

That heart breaking statement came back to haunt me in spades a week later. The veterinary bill for our dog -- $2,784.66 when I went to pick her up! What was worse, was that it was due in full immediately!

People are passionate about their pets. That's particularly true of our cats and dogs, especially here in America. However, passionate pet owners are also found all over the world.

Pets are considered family members, they do what we do, go where we go, and we need them as much as they need us. However, in today's economic times, we sadly might be needing to rethink our concept of whether or not, we can afford to add another non-human member to our households.

Beauty, our beagle, is eleven years old and just like us, is starting to have some old age problems. We are acutely aware that her days are numbered. This last expensive round of diagnostic tests, subsequent surgery, and boarding has really hit hard in our home -- the realities of the true cost of owning a pet in today's belt-tightening economy.

This latest veterinary bill started a round of family discussions. We calculated that in the ten years that we've owned this one dog, we've spent nearly $16,000 that we can verify. That's around $1,600 a year and more than $133.33 a month. Once she is gone to doggie heaven, we are going to think long and hard about owning another dog. It may be far too expensive.

While purchase and adoptions costs, can pale in consideration to veterinary hospital bills -- it is part of the owning a pet cost equation. Our beagle came to us as a "free" dog. Acquaintances owned her, she didn't pan out in their eyes in terms of being a good hunting dog (gun shy) and was left to live under their foundation. Left on her own she would get into the garden and dig. Left on her own, she was into the garbage cans. Soon, they didn't want her anymore. We either took her, or she was to be put down.

She wasn't always an integral part of our family life. Largely devoid of human contact in her first year, as beautiful as she was to look at -- she was lacking in lovable traits. It took nearly six months before she would come to us and that required having food in hand. Even years later, she would hide in the woods above our house until they left, if anyone came to our farm.

So, Beauty fell into the category of pets that need adoption and she was one of the lucky ones. It may shock you to know that free or inexpensive adopted pets, can be more expensive in the long run, than a dog from a reputable breeder. Why? Because of poor breeding problems and behavioral issues.

That said, though I personally believe that pet adoption should be a serious consideration. There are just far too many dogs and cats in need of good homes.

Generally, you can expect to pay between $50 and $1000 and up to purchase a puppy or cat.

Pros:

• Saving the life of a pet that would otherwise be put down.
• Less expensive initial outlay of cash.

Cons:

• May have bad genetic defects or illnesses.
• Lack of information due to temperament of parents.
• Lack of information of history (i.e. has the animal suffered any abuse or neglect).

Veterinary and medical costs for our pets can be daunting and you must understand from the beginning that a responsible pet owner will be spending money every year on veterinary bills. The hard cold cost facts are:

• Routine annual exams $45 to $150.
• Routine annual vaccinations and boosters $20 to $150.
• Worming and fecal exams $20 to $50.
• Spraying or neutering $50 to $250.
• Heart worm testing and medication $25 to $130.

All of the above are just the basic pet costs for routine care and preventive medicine care that a responsible pet owner should and will incur. Additionally, over the lifetime of your pet you can expect that they may need dental care. Dental care can cost as much or more than care for our own teeth. For example: One impacted tooth removed and the cleaning of teeth for our dog -- $900!

Consider, that pets can and do get many of the same illnesses that we do as they age. Pets can become diabetic. Pets can and do get cancer and tumors. Pets can have problems with their hearts, their kidneys, and their joints. For example: Many dogs get spurs and arthritis along their spine in their last years -- medication to keep them relatively pain free and mobile can cost $90 a month.

This means, that on average, your veterinary and medical costs could be from $200 to $800 per year, even if your pet is healthy.

Are you willing and able to make that kind of financial commitment for the 10-14 years that the average dog lives, or the 15-17 years that the average cat lives?

Feeding our pets largely depends on where we live, what we feed them, and the brands we feed them. The bigger the pet, the higher the cost. The more expensive the brand of pet food, the higher the cost.

Hard cold pet food fact -- costs annually: $420 to $800 a year.

It doesn't sound like a lot when you divide it by twelve months a year, but it is a commitment that will be made once you introduce a pet into your household.

Miscellaneous pet supplies and extras can add up over the course of a pet's life. Consider:

• Brushes, nail clippers and other grooming items
• Food and water bowls
• Collars and leashes
• Pet stain removal cleaner
• Periodic carpet cleaning
• Repairs made to your home if the pet damages
• Toys
• Treats
• Transport crate or box
• Beds and bedding
• Car restraints
• Fencing in some cases
• Brushes and grooming supplies
• Flea and tick shampoos

Obviously, miscellaneous expenses could quickly add up to costing you between $225 and $2000 or more, over the lifetime of your pet.

You can't ignore the fact that these perhaps insignificant costs, will add up to a significant amount over the years.

Grooming of our pets can be one of the least expensive parts of pet owning costs. However, it is still something that has to be factored into the true cost of owning a pet. Shorter haired animals will reduce the cost of grooming.

Do-it-yourself will also help reduce the cost of grooming cats and dogs. However, sometimes you will probably have to seek the grooming care of a professional. Some pets have special needs when it comes to grooming.

Grooming costs are generally between $50 and $500.

Additional costs can include the training of our pets, which isn't much of a concern with cats and other pets, but is of concern with all dogs. Dogs need obedience training.

You can do-it-yourself for free if you are knowledgeable or at least willing to learn. However, should you need the assistance of a professional, this could easily cost you:

It can cost $50 to $700 or more for obedience training.

The emotional cost of our pets is a gray area that also should be considered. Unfortunately, I know way too much about the emotional cost of our pets. Beauty throws up every night now, despite her recent gall bladder surgery, that was supposed to cure that problem.

The vet is at a loss as to what is causing this. I am at a loss in how to cope with this, and her problems with incontinence, as I face an upcoming breast cancer treatments. I need my rest.

On the other hand, none of us can imagine life without her. She is an integral part of my 66 year old husband's emotional and physical health. She is the reason we can get him to take beneficial walks every day. She is his baby and the only one who can make him smile, when he is depressed.

Additionally, our eleven year old granddaughter, who lives with us -- literally adores this dog. Beauty is the first thing she tends to, no matter what hour she wakes up and the last thing on the planet she has to touch, love, and say good night to at bedtime.

This most recent surgery, is the second in three years for our beagle. We are all to aware that she is declining. We are all in agreement that if she seems to be in pain or suffering we will have to make that tough choice to put down this sweet little dog who has given us so much joy.

Given the number of years in the life of a dog or cat, you must weigh your ability and that of your other family members to handle the emotional part of saying goodbye to a beloved pet.

Boarding our pets sometimes is unavoidable or desirable. Sometimes, we have no choice if we have a business trip out-of-town or abroad. Sometimes, they don't fit into our vacation plans.

More and more, boarding of pets has become quite expensive, especially when you consider the hidden costs. Hidden costs come in the form of excrement fees, mandatory flea and tick bathing, exercise fees, fees for providing air conditioning, fees for providing special beds for older pets and mandatory booster vaccinations and exams prior to boarding.

Usually, it can cost approximately $17.00 per day to board a cat or a very small dog. The larger the animal the higher the boarding fee. Boarding fees can be more than $35.00 per day.