Updated July 2008
When I married my husband in 2001, for the first time in my adult life, I became a pet owner. I am not a dog person by nature, but have adjusted to the smells, the occasional puke, the jumping up on anyone who comes to the door, and the endless vacuuming of dog hair. As for the financial side of dog ownership, my husband and I have adopted a don’t-ask-don’t-tell policy.
I think if I actually knew how much he spent on our beagle mix Sweet Tea, it would send me over the edge. If you are considering getting a pet, however, I do not recommend turning a blind eye to the financial aspect of the undertaking. Pets are expensive, and you’ll need to figure out if your budget can handle it.
I did a little research to see just how much pets cost. (Yikes! If the experts are right, Sweet Tea is costing us around $700 per year.) Here is more from the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals:
Small Dogs
Even if you don’t get the designer carrying case like Paris Hilton, a little pooch such as a Yorkshire terrier or pug is going to cost you. Just like a designer purse, a trendy little pooch, like a Maltese, can run up to $5,000 from a licensed breeder. The first year, when you have to pay for one-time things like having your friend spayed or neutered ($190) and a crate ($35), as well as ongoing expenses like food ($55) you can expect to spend $1,314. After the first year, annual cost: $580.
Medium Dogs
Beagles and cocker spaniels cost $1,580 the first year. If you’re considering an English Bulldog, beware—you could spend anywhere from $2,000 to $5,000 on the birth alone, since they require a C-section. The bigger the breed, the higher just about every cost is, including crates ($95) and food ($120). After the first year, annual cost: $695.
Large Dogs
If you’re looking for something a little more rare and exotic, a Neopolitan Mastiff could have you shelling out $2,000 to $3,000. If not, even the more traditional golden retrievers, labs, and Dalmatians are the priciest dogs to care for. First-year expenses are likely to total $1,843. After the first year, annual cost: $875.
Cats
Felines are easier on the wallet than their canine counterparts are. Expect to spend $1,035 the first year on things like food ($120), spay-neuter ($145), litter box ($25) and litter ($165). (Unless you have your heart set on a genetically modified, hypoallergenic cat from Allerca, which has a one-year waiting list and ranges from $5,000 to $31,000—yikes.) After the first year, annual cost: $670.
Rabbits
These guys are going to cost you about $895 for the first year. The litter for bunny ($415) is the surprising expense. (The bunny itself will only set you back around fifty bucks.) After the first year, annual cost: $730.
