Budget adjustment - getting a dog

frugglewump

As the title says - we are getting a dog, an Akita to be exact. I spend so much time working from home Jan-Sept without anyone to talk to & really need the company.

Now I have successfully trawled the forums for insurance advice, but would appreciate it if people could suggest an approx budget for food per month and any other expenses I don't know about. This will be the 1st dog that is actually living with me rather than my parents.

It'll be a rescue dog, so probably not a puppy and not until next Jan. I'm asking really early I know, but I want a few months to try and adjust my spending. Also an Akita is a BIG dog & I'm really only familiar with Golden retrievers.

I have slack in the budget of £30/month without starting to reduce CC overpayments.

hawk

Why get an animal at all ? surely this will only put a bigger hole in your money and you cant really budget for an animal as their care fluctuates, also if you work from home your work will suffer because youll then have to give the dog attention.

southernscouser

Awww they are gorgeous dogs!

MY advice would be to speak to your local vets about what annual jabs they require and how much they cost coz I don't know whether they are covered in the insurance.

Then you've got the one off buys like basket, toys, bowls, leads. Then there are the inevitable treats (every day in the case of our dog :rolleyes: ).

And well done for getting a rescue dog! :beer:

southernscouser

hawk wrote:

Why get an animal at all ? surely this will only put a bigger hole in your money and you cant really budget for an animal as their care fluctuates, also if you work from home your work will suffer because youll then have to give the dog attention.

For companionship, company, loyalty, love, giving a needy animal a life it derserves. Sound good enough reasons to me!

hawk

southernscouser wrote:

For companionship, company, loyalty, love, giving a needy animal a life it derserves. Sound good enough reasons to me!

Dog Smell, Hair Everywhere, Licking of the behind then licking your face, weeing in the garden and ruining the grass, poohing in the flower bed, digging up the flower bed, shaking in the house when all muddy, biting, picking up dog crap, taking for walks in harsh weather, slipping on dog toys, eating remote controls, ruining the carpet, interfering in quality solitude time, and then theres dying, I think I shall stick with my tamagotchi.

frugglewump

hawk wrote:

Why get an animal at all ? surely this will only put a bigger hole in your money and you cant really budget for an animal as their care fluctuates, also if you work from home your work will suffer because youll then have to give the dog attention.

My work already suffers from so much time spent on my own. All our friends have 9-5 jobs so I can't be bothering them during the day. I could go to the university more often but it is 2 hrs each way via bus & tube, which is time wasted. By the time it gets to July each year I am usually very depressed and spend the days doing nothing much when I should be writing research papers (or this year a textbook).

The hole in my money is not an issue - I'm DFW, but not actually in trouble. I overpay my debt by £250/month at the moment.

*zippy*

hawk wrote:

Dog Smell, Hair Everywhere, Licking of the behind then licking your face, weeing in the garden and ruining the grass, poohing in the flower bed, digging up the flower bed, shaking in the house when all muddy, biting, picking up dog crap, taking for walks in harsh weather, slipping on dog toys, eating remote controls, ruining the carpet, interfering in quality solitude time, and then theres dying, I think I shall stick with my tamagotchi.

Not a dog lover then?

spud30

Hi Fruggle.

Congratulations on your future new arrival.

I have a VERY big dog. She costs around £20 per month to feed, over £30 to insure. Her vaccinations cost around £20 each year.

The love and companionship are worth every penny she costs us. I just need to teach her how to make a brew, and she will be perfect

hawk

*zippy* wrote:

Not a dog lover then?

What makes you think that ?


I do love dogs but Ive seen all to often people getting animals without thinking properly when they are all loved up and headstrong, people really MUST think about the animal welfare first and not their feelings.

Thats a generalisation not a direct attack on anyone, and its very good advice as an animal isnt as they say just for Xmas.

heatherw_01

You will probably need:

Insurance - I pay £16 a month
Dog food - cost depends on the brand
Jabs - I pay £27 a year for jabs which are essential (not covered in insurance) buy vary vet to vet
Worming tabs - every 3 to 6 months you must worm your dog

Bowls, toys, bedding, leads, collars etc will need to be bought too.

I would only suggest getting a dog if you can definetly afford the money and time to look after him. What happens after September? Do you not work from home anymore?

hawk

frugglewump wrote:

My work already suffers from so much time spent on my own. All our friends have 9-5 jobs so I can't be bothering them during the day. I could go to the university more often but it is 2 hrs each way via bus & tube, which is time wasted. By the time it gets to July each year I am usually very depressed and spend the days doing nothing much when I should be writing research papers (or this year a textbook).

The hole in my money is not an issue - I'm DFW, but not actually in trouble. I overpay my debt by £250/month at the moment.

Umm why dont you pay of your debt altogether then get an animal, or what about a part time job or get out and meet friends, obviously that may not be possible as I dont know your situation.