Top Ten Costs of Canine Care

Dog Costs by the Numbers

Every Sunday morning after a Saturday animal surrender event at Leech Lake Legacy, we are greeted with the stench of puppy poop and dank newspaper wafting from under the doors of the three puppy rooms.

If only a camera could capture the odor that intensifies as furry balls, matted with feces, frantically climb over each other, seeking our attention. The smell, the mess, the desperate whining always makes me wonder why people go gaga over puppies. (I know. I know. They’re so darn cute!)

After a decade of fostering dogs of all ages, I’d rather adopt a house-trained dog, especially one from a foster home where the rules of home-living are already in motion.

As they say, “To each his own.”

Before you search for your “own,” let logic rule. Dog ownership is a long-term commitment with real time commitment and financial consequences.

Read the ten costs of canine care outlined below. You may find yourself adjusting your definition of “perfect dog.” And that’s a good thing.

1. Even Free Dogs Need a Veterinary Exam

That puppy from the box marked “free” in the grocery store parking lot or the dog your neighbor is looking to rehome should be seen by a veterinarian to gauge overall health.

Got worms? Many puppies and adult dogs do.

Have shots? There’s a menu of vaccinations dogs need for good health.

Altered? Fixing an animal (spay or neuter) is helpful for long-term health and behavior.

Even a dog purchased from a breeder should be seen by a veterinarian for all the same reasons as above, plus one. If the dog is found to have health issues soon after acquisition, you may have recourse to get your money back.

Adopting? Most veterinary care for adopted animals has been done and the cost built into the adoption fee. It’s still wise to have your own veterinarian give your newly adopted pup a check-up to confirm the status of its health.

Call your vet before you adopt. Many give free initial exams to newly adopted dogs. If not, ask your adoption agency for a list of veterinarians who offer free initial exams. It could help you save a bit in the beginning.

An initial wellness exam may start around $60, depending on where you live, but costs can climb over $400 for vaccinations, blood work and spay/neuter.

Sound like a lot of money? An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

2. All Dogs Need Yearly Vet Checks

The joke in Minnesota is that our state bird is the mosquito. That tiny pest, however pesky here, wreaks big time havoc in many parts of the country.

Every pup needs a yearly exam to monitor blood for heartworm, check stools for intestinal worms, get necessary vaccines, and to ensure a rabies certificate is up to date.

Got fleas and ticks? A monthly preventative may help. While costly, these topicals or tasty treats will save a bundle on future medical bills and heartache.

That ounce of prevention can be as low as $60 for the exam and another $150 to $400 for vaccines and pills, depending on size of dog and region of country.

3. If You Plan for Emergencies, You’ll Be Ready

My friend went on vacation for a week and left her two house cats at home with another friend tasked with daily feedings. The family returned home to find a sandal missing its strap and a very sick cat.

Four weeks after an expensive surgery, the same cat underwent a second operation to remove another foreign object lodged in its intestinal tract.

Are cats chewers like dogs? Not usually. It’s believed the surgery cat turned to chewing as an outlet for its anxiety while the family was gone.

As they say, “Shit happens.” Are you prepared for an emergency room visit? An initial evaluation can be a minimum of $250. Add in lab work, ultrasounds, MRIs, and surgery and costs can easily grow to $5,000 to $10,000.

At the very least, go into pet ownership with some resources in your back pocket in the event of an emergency. This article by The Humane Society of the United States has many great ideas if you find yourself in a financial bind.

Pet insurance is a growing industry, but I don’t have enough experience to comment on the options. Based on my friends’ comments, I can say do your homework. Read the fine print. Pet insurance doesn’t work like people insurance. You’ll most likely need to pay out of pocket before you can seek reimbursement.

Here’s a tip – call before you go to an emergency vet clinic. I mention this for two reasons. Let the professionals with trauma experience screen your situation over the phone. Maybe it’s not as critical as you think.

They can also tell you how busy their emergency clinic wait time may be, directing you to a different clinic that might be able to serve you quicker.

In times of high demand, some emergency clinics temporarily shut down to manage the cases they have. A call will steer you in the right direction.

4. Licenses and Permits Aren’t Just for Cars and Drivers

Many cities require dogs to be licensed and wearing their tag as proof of rabies vaccination.

Dog license fees vary greatly. Small towns may charge $6 for altered animals. More for unaltered pets. Bigger cities. Bigger license fees.

Going to the dog park? You may need a permit and a license to enter, even if you don’t live in the community.

Don’t forget, the costs for licenses and permits don’t include the cost of the required rabies vaccination.

5. Food is Fuel and Can be Costly

I volunteer with the local pet food shelf, People and Pets Together, where we provide clients with half the weight of their dog in food each month. A 100-pound shepherd mix will get 50 pounds of food per month. A 10-pound chihuahua will be given 5 pounds per month. (It’s a rough average but seems to work for the majority of visitors.)

It’s possible to find dog food that costs around $1 per pound. Want grain free? Duck or venison? Something other than grocery store brand? Plan around $2 per pound.

Buying or adopting a large dog breed? Do the math. If a 100-pound dog needs 50 pounds of food, it could cost $50-100 per month in kibble to feed your dog. Smaller dog? Possibly smaller food budget.

Got a medical issues? Prescription foods to help manage kidney, urinary, gastrointestinal, and weight issues can be $3 to $4 per pound. It could easily cost $200 per month to feed a 100-pound dog on a prescription diet. Yikes!

Soap box moment: You may not be able to prevent disease from occurring, but you can reduce risk through exercise and proper feeding.

Pet obesity is a people issue that becomes a pet’s issue. Overfeeding and lack of exercise puts your dog’s health at risk and can greatly impact your bank account. Buy a measuring cup to ensure proper feeding. Go outside or enroll in a class that gets your dog moving.

6. All Dogs Need Proper Shelter

Many dogs live in homes, so sheltering costs are usually a wash – unless you rent. Landlords often require contract addendums and hefty deposits before you bring a pup home.

Be sure to read the fine print that defines how and when you get your deposit back. My neighbor’s friend couldn’t meet the threshold of acceptability for one of thirteen key items when she moved out and lost her whole deposit.

For dogs that spend time outside, invest in an insulated dog house, shade structure, and sturdy fence. Expect to pay a minimum of $200 for a new dog house and much more for the items to keep a dog warm during a blustery winter, cool in a sweltering summer, dry in driving rain, and safe from predators – human and animal alike.

Soap box moment: Never leave a dog unattended on a chain or in a yard with an underground electric fence. These “tethering” strategies leave dogs and family members vulnerable to animals and people that can wander into your yard.

I’ll spare you the photo of my leg wound caused by the neighbor dog when she broke free of her collar, entered our yard and attacked my dog and me. I quickly found Shiloh a used wire kennel system to keep her safe when I can’t intervene fast enough.

Internet exchanges are great places to find pet supplies at low cost. Just be sure items are in good condition and safe

Photo by Anna Shvets from Pexels

7. All Dogs Need Grooming

At a minimum, every dog will need their toenails clipped by you or a groomer, possibly every month, depending on activity level. Dogs that walk or run miles with their people may not need their nails clipped as often as a backyard dog.

Dogs that shed, think shepherds, beagles, short-haired terriers, need frequent brushing to prevent the build-up of irritating mats or the accumulation of debris.

Non-shedding dogs like Shih Tzus, poodles, and labradoodles, require frequent bathing and trimming to keep their fur from developing painful mats.

Got teeth? Brush them! “Dental chews” and hard bones are no substitute for a toothbrush and toothpaste.

I know. I know. It’s not easy to brush a dog’s teeth. Do you know what’s harder? Paying an $800 bill for rotted teeth extraction.

Be the top dog with dogged determination and gentle encouragement. Your persistence will go a long way in keeping your canine’s canines pearly white.

8. Coats and Boots are Bare Minimum Supplies

Winter can be a magical time to be outdoors with a dog. Thick snow blanketing trees, quiet woods, sunlight glinting off powdery mist.

Dogs evolved from wolves, but that doesn’t mean your dog can weather the weather. You may need to provide a dog coat and boots, depending on breed.

Summer is another season of safety. Lightweight dog boots can help protect your dog's pads from hot concrete, blacktop or beach sand.

9. Every Dog Needs Training to Live in a Human World

Dogs evolved from wolves through selective breeding by humans over millennia for traits that were beneficial to us.

Dogs look to us to guide them how to live in our world and relax in our company.

Training programs can be found in your community as well as online. Pick one that uses positive reinforcement (praise and treats), then stick with it to the end.

Training requires both you and your dog learn a new language along with when and how to use it. Your dog won’t be successful unless you are successful in the consistent application of the commands.

Ask your friends for referrals to local trainers or start with a free online training program. If it leads to success, invest in more training from the same provider.

The people who offer free training hope your success leads to the purchase of more services. Online and local services can be as low as $10 for a one-time drop in class and increase from there.

10. Fun Can be Free, or Not

Dog beaches. State Parks. Brew pup passes. Hiking. Camping. Sandy beaches. Christmas tree farms. Wineries. Agility trials. Dock diving. Frisbee competitions. Pup patios. Bark markets…

A quick internet search of local dog-based activities will get you out of the house, meeting new friends, trying new things. There is no shortage of ways to indulge your dog and yourself in joyful activities that feed your souls.

Wrap Up

One of my favorite Charles Schulz comic books is the small tome Dogs are Worth It! It’s all Snoopy all the time because who doesn’t like reading about a loyal, good-natured companion?!

Dogs truly are worth the financial commitment, but you need to set yourself up for success. Ask yourself what you can truly afford per year. Adjust your idea of “the perfect dog” to align with the realities of your bank account. Then let the magic begin.

(Photo of dog with birthday hat by Photo by Shopify on StockSnap)