What are the ongoing costs of a dog? 6 April 2022 at 10:48AM in Pets & pet care 14 replies 826 views

FrankRizzo

Hello,

We have been seriously considering getting a dog for about 5 years now and feel as though we now have the time/energy/patience to go ahead with looking after a dog, etc.

We are looking at a bigger breed like a Golden Retriever or German Shepard. We will be fully invested in a dog that size/type.

With bills and everything going up now we really need to budget better.

We both have never had a dog or really any pets. I was wondering if anyone can give me a list of the outgoings we need to consider for the dog?

Any help appreciated!

Robin9

More important than financial cost - is that of time ?   Is there always an adult at home ?  Two/three hours real physical  exercise a day.   

[Deleted User]

Vet bills are very expensive!

Mnoee

The pdsa has rough figures for dogs, and a list of things you'll need. https://www.pdsa.org.uk/pet-help-and-advice/looking-after-your-pet/puppies-dogs/the-cost-of-owning-a-dog

I'm a cat owner, but I think this holds true for dogs too - underspending in one area can lead to overspending in another. Poor quality food can mean health problems and vets visits. Not enough toys and enrichment can mean destroyed furniture. So be certain you can afford everything. 

Katiehound

Just remember that not everything has to be expensive/ perfect

You can make perfectly good beds from old human duvets & tugger type toys from old tee shirts. If you are getting a puppy then items like collars and leads are quickly outgrown.
Look for some items from car boot sales etc
I still have large oval plastic beds (put duvet inside) which came from the 'shop' at the tip (sadly no longer there) costing me the princely sum of £1 each. Stoneware water bowls- also £1 from charity stall

Treats can be home made- cheaper and you know what is in them.
Many enrichment activities with dog can be free. Check out websites such as Dogs Trust, Dogs for Good for ideas.

Some costs to remember:
Crate for crate training- I borrowed mine
Annual vaccinations
one off vet bills- check consultation charges
Wormers & flea treatment- buy online to save money from  online pharmacies- not vets & not supermarkets.
Some vets offer 'packages'- check that they are worth the money
Dog training (essential for a couple of years I would suggest especially if you haven't had a dog before)
Kennels- if you are going on holiday. Usually kennel cough vaccination needed for this.

Also remember this a long term commitment.
One of my hounds will be 15 on Sunday.

Enjoy your new companion
I'd be lost without my trailies

[Deleted User]

Mine goes for a haircut every 6 weeks @£37 a time. 
I don't spend that on myself.

FrankRizzo

Robin9 said:

More important than financial cost - is that of time ?   Is there always an adult at home ?  Two/three hours real physical  exercise a day.   

Yes always an adult, hence we have hung off getting a dog. We are both big on daily exercise and I understand the importance of real exercise for a dog.

SensibleSarah

It very much depends on the dog! 
My last dog didn't play with toys, didn't like chews, wasn't destructive etc. As long as she got 2 meals a day and 2 walks a day then she was happy as Larry and she slept the rest of the time. So the only real costs for her were food, insurance, flea & worming every so often, annual boosters and the one-offs like collar, harness, leads etc. 
My current two dogs are a different kettle of fish! Go through toys at a rate of knots, need lots of daily enrichment (doesn't have to be expensive but things like Kongs and Licki-mats add up, especially when I have to buy two of everything), have already cost me lots at the vets despite only being with me a matter of months and one of them destroys furniture if I don't give him appropriate things to chew on a daily basis. He also has to have a specific diet that isn't particularly cheap. He's a similar size etc to my last dog but probably costs me twice what she did on a monthly basis! 
I would estimate that on average, I spend around £150 a month on my two dogs to include food, treats/chews/toys, insurance etc. Then vets for routine or unclaimable stuff perhaps another £50-100 a month as they've usually got something going on. But was way less with my last dog, probably £70 a month all-in for her. 

Brie

Every time my brother brought the idea of getting a dog my mom would always respond with "and you'll be at home 4 times a day for the next 20 years".  And that's from a woman who loves dogs!

So if you're not at home to do all the dog walking who will do it and how much will it cost?  And when you go on holiday you'll need to get a pet sitter or board the pooch.  How's your area for doing the actual walking?  Parks/fields nearby?  Will your dog be a puppy needing to be trained to behave when out on a leash?  Or an older dog that will need to be retrained?  Where will your dog be during the day when you are working?  In the house or out in the garden?  What if it barks a lot?  How will the neighbours react??  Do you have or anticipate having children?  What if one is allergic to a dog you've had a few years?

But for all of that dogs can be excellent companions and pets.  I was raised in a home with 2 dalmatians and can't imagine a childhood done differently.  I'm currently without any pets but have until last summer had cats for nearly 30 years - still heartbroken a bit after my last one died.  But also relieved for the freedom and less expense.  

And after all that - where we used to live I spotted the next door neighbour come out of their house one day with a lovely big golden retriever.  I was surprised as I didn't know they were particularly interested in pets and asked who it belonged to - apparently they had acquired it 6 months earlier and the dog was so well behaved we hadn't realised it had moved in!  I expect our cats did as it would explain why they had been sitting on the fence between our gardens.  Additionally - we and another neighbour were burgled one Christmas eve - the house with the retriever wasn't hit.  And I suspect our cats had probably opened our door to the robbers.  So lots of good reasons to get a golden retriever in my opinion - even if i would prefer another cat myself.

Katiehound

I am not going to comment about pet insurance- it's an involved topic! but if you don't buy pet insurance do make sure you have 3rd party insurance- the easiest way is to become a member of Dogs Trust

FrankRizzo

Brie said:

Every time my brother brought the idea of getting a dog my mom would always respond with "and you'll be at home 4 times a day for the next 20 years".  And that's from a woman who loves dogs!

So if you're not at home to do all the dog walking who will do it and how much will it cost?  And when you go on holiday you'll need to get a pet sitter or board the pooch.  How's your area for doing the actual walking?  Parks/fields nearby?  Will your dog be a puppy needing to be trained to behave when out on a leash?  Or an older dog that will need to be retrained?  Where will your dog be during the day when you are working?  In the house or out in the garden?  What if it barks a lot?  How will the neighbours react??  Do you have or anticipate having children?  What if one is allergic to a dog you've had a few years?

But for all of that dogs can be excellent companions and pets.  I was raised in a home with 2 dalmatians and can't imagine a childhood done differently.  I'm currently without any pets but have until last summer had cats for nearly 30 years - still heartbroken a bit after my last one died.  But also relieved for the freedom and less expense.  

And after all that - where we used to live I spotted the next door neighbour come out of their house one day with a lovely big golden retriever.  I was surprised as I didn't know they were particularly interested in pets and asked who it belonged to - apparently they had acquired it 6 months earlier and the dog was so well behaved we hadn't realised it had moved in!  I expect our cats did as it would explain why they had been sitting on the fence between our gardens.  Additionally - we and another neighbour were burgled one Christmas eve - the house with the retriever wasn't hit.  And I suspect our cats had probably opened our door to the robbers.  So lots of good reasons to get a golden retriever in my opinion - even if i would prefer another cat myself.

Thanks but what does this have to do with the monthly costs of a dog?