Puppy costs

pollyanna24

We are picking up our lovely 7 1/2 week old puppy on Sunday, and I know we have to take her to the vet for her 8 week jabs and whatnots. So I can prepare for the outlay of this, how much is it likely to be and what other costs are there at the vet at this stage (i.e. worming).

I have food, insurance, bed and toys all sorted out.

Justie

costs will depends a lot on the puppy - some owners have had to replace shoes, slipper, remote controls, mobile phones etc etc that have all been chewed :rolleyes: However expensive you think it's going to be double it cos they're so cute you always buy another toy or treat. Factor in puppy classes and obedience classes - worth every penny. You'll also need worming and flea treatments regularly which aren't cheap but otherwise the insurance should pick up other vets bills.

You'll never regret it though - well not over all

mizmir

Vaccination costs vary wildly depending on the vet and the area. At my vet boosters are about £25 a dog and I think initial vaccinations closer to £40.

Re. chewing etc. - get a puppy pen or a crate (indoor kennel). By far the safest way - chewing up the house is not only hard on the house but can be really dangerous for the puppy (electric wires etc!). You can't watch a puppy 24/7 so having a puppy pen or dog crate where his/her bed is placed is really helpful. Of course you can't leave them shut in for hours (except at night) but they are great for piece on mind when you need to go to the shops or have a shower! Puppies get used to them very quickly and then see them as their "den".

Good luck!

pollyanna24

Thanks guys. Think bf is building some kind of pen for her. It's been a long time since I've had a puppy. I was 9 years old! Our last dog was a rescue dog, so he knew pretty much what to do at 4 years old. I am looking forward to it though. Can't wait! :T

peterg1965

Expect costs to be around £50 for two trips to the vet for the two innoculations and worming. Insurance? around £10 per month, you may get 8 weeks free PetPlan insurance via your vet. Annual Boosters/checkups around £40. Neutering will cost around £150 or so, at the six month point or whenever recommended by the vet. Micro Chipping is certainly worth considering and would be about £30 or so. Other items; bed, chews, food, toys (as you have mentioned). Lots of disinfectant for the inevitable accidents! We have a dog crate and use it for the short periods we are out and also we put our 10 weeks puppy in it at night beside our bed. It has loads of toys, pigs ears and comfy bed in it. It is a good way of containing puppy.

pollyanna24

Ooh, bf is being very organised. He rang up the vet and was told £64 for two injections ten days apart. There is a third injection, but she may not need it.

As for spaying, our local rescue home neuter Staffies for free.

Will consider microchipping and have already looked up pet insurance. Gonna cancel petplan for my cat as Tesco do a joint policy for the two of them for £26 a month. Petplan separately for them would be £40!

mizmir

Also second Justie's comment about training classes. Ask your vet if they run puppy socialisation classes - these are not for formal training but are great for baby puppies to get used to other dogs and people. Also find a good training class and enrol there in puppy training. Make sure it is a modern class that only uses positive training methods - the APDT have a list of members and they are committed to only use kind methods (you will still find some classes using punishment and yanking puppies about on choke chains - not only is it based on fear but it can damage your puppy's neck!). Check the website https://www.apdt.co.uk for your nearest class.

pollyanna24

I shall have a look at that website, but classes is not something I've thought about. I managed at 9 years old to train my puppy (with help from Dad) and me and bf trained a 4yr old rescue dog by ourselves. The puppy will be mixing with some dogs as where my bf works, a few bring their dogs in and she will be making friends with them.

lottee

Not sure on the costs involved, sorry. But can you just promise not to be like my mother-in-law....please! She bought 2 puppies, & I am deadly serious when I say this, she arranges a 'puppy sitter' for whenever she goes out... Whether it be a Dr's appointment, the weekly shop or around someones for a coffee. She is an absolute nightmare, I'm sure she probably puts nappies on them in secret! Don't get me wrong, I know pets become a part of the family, but this woman has taken that phrase to a whole new level! This isn't normal is it???!!!

p.s she knows better than to ask me to 'puppy sit' !!!

Justie

pollyanna24 wrote:

I shall have a look at that website, but classes is not something I've thought about. I managed at 9 years old to train my puppy (with help from Dad) and me and bf trained a 4yr old rescue dog by ourselves. The puppy will be mixing with some dogs as where my bf works, a few bring their dogs in and she will be making friends with them.

I would say money spent on classes is money well spent. You can do it yourself but we all pick up bad habits and get lazy so even if you don't learn anything new it's good to know you're doing it right. Even if you don't do classes I would highly recommend puppy classes for socialisation.