Yearly Cost of Your Pet

calliecritturs

When you have a dog who has a chronic problem -- like an immune-mediated problem you spend a TON of money on things like blood panels

Yup, that's what she has and that's what I do. 

calliecritturs

 

Now shall I tell you about the savings account I have JUST for the dogs?  JUST for emergency vet bills?  Every bonus, every "found" dollar (from coupons to money I find in pockets to reimbursement money at work) goes to a separate savings account.  It doesn't cover it all but it does lessen the 'sticker shock' sometimes.

I'm glad that I'm not the only person with a dog account.

When DH & I got married, he thought that I was nuts for having the "dog" account.  After all of Bevo's issues over the past year, Chyna's tumor removal, eye surgery, & laser work on her gums, & Shooter's bloody diarrhea episode that left him hospitalized for 3 days, DH is starting to realize that a dog account is a pretty good idea.

A few weeks ago, he jokingly said "We are probably the only people in Texas who are thankful for losing a house, & boat to Hurricane Ike.  The insurance settlements have helped build the dog account back up."  I wasn't sure if I should laugh or cry...

BEVOLASVEGAS

"We are probably the only people in Texas who are thankful for losing a house, & boat to Hurricane Ike.  The insurance settlements have helped build the dog account back up." 

You did?  Oh, I'm sorry Amanda, I didn't know that's why I never commented to you.  I hope you didn't think I was rude. 

(Sorry to be off topic)

 If I counted, I'd lose my mind. We had a big week, a couple of months ago, where Ena had dental work done, and Emma fell from a grooming table (it was a foot off the ground, but she hurt herself, badly). I spent $700 at the vet's office, that week. Emma had a dental, in February, for a broken tooth. Ena's had several skin infections, a funky season, vaccine reactions, and now she's got this mystery issue. Emma had a vaccine reaction, at the beginning of the year, that caused her to seizure for 5 days. Her epilepsy has gotten progressively worse, so she's on phenobarbital and more frequent bloodwork.

Then, my hobby is showing. Oh, and I make their food. Yeah, if I didn't have dogs.... I wouldn't have to work. But, then, what fun would that be? Who would snuggle under the covers with me? Who would lick the tears when I cried? Who would make my hair turn gray? Who would go with me, on any whim, on a trip to whocareswhere, in horrible weather, at the wrong time of day, at the wrong time of year, because I feel like it? They're totally worth it!

willowchow

BEVOLASVEGAS

"We are probably the only people in Texas who are thankful for losing a house, & boat to Hurricane Ike.  The insurance settlements have helped build the dog account back up." 

You did?  Oh, I'm sorry Amanda, I didn't know that's why I never commented to you.  I hope you didn't think I was rude. 

(Sorry to be off topic)

Lori, no worries!  Honestly, I'm not sure that I've even mentioned it here.  It was a vacation home, & while we loved it, it really wasn't that big of a deal in the grand scheme of things.

jennie_c_d

Yeah, if I didn't have dogs.... I wouldn't have to work. But, then, what fun would that be? Who would snuggle under the covers with me? Who would lick the tears when I cried? Who would make my hair turn gray? Who would go with me, on any whim, on a trip to whocareswhere, in horrible weather, at the wrong time of day, at the wrong time of year, because I feel like it? They're totally worth it!

I agree completely. Sam has been there for me more the my human 'friends'. He dang near trys to make me crazy. But I wouldn't have it anyother way. If I had a car and lisence - Sam and I would be going on the most random trips.

I'm looking for a job so I can properly care for my dog - he's my best friend and deserves the best I can offer.

it's only been 4 months since i've gotten tyson soo...

1. puppy vaccines, etc. - ~$100-150 (dont remember)
2. dog.com - $100 (frontline, some toys)
3. toys - $50-75 (most of them he outgrew or broke.. or lost )
4. crate - $125
5. food/treats - $100-200
6. collars/leashes - $60
7. obedience class - $100
8. interceptor - $50
   

 D: wow i really hate seeing this all laid out. and i paid for pretty much all of it except for like 1 or 2 bags of food my dad bought and maybe like $100 from what my siblings pitched in...

Unfortunately (or fortunately...not sure which), I use Quicken at home to keep track of expenses.  In 1H08 I spent just over $3,000.  Thats everything for 3 large dogs...food, toys, treats, gear, vetting, training, etc.  I need to finish the year's data entry, but I know it will be close to $6k.   Worth it?  Absolutely!

I honestly have no clue!  Of course its different from year to year - all I know, it that it's a lot. 

~la la la la la la la~   

I hear nothing and know nothing

~la la la la la la la~

Oh. savings account?? Great idea, I should do that.

~la la la la la la la~  But I hear nothing else... we don't talk about how much spent...

I guesstimate around $2,500 yearly for the 2 monstresses; food and chews being the 2 main categories. With Spip's dental work coming up, we'll go way over that this year. Whatever... what they need, they get.

Note to myself : start a savings account with the Xmas bonus. I've been meaning to for a while but it needs to become real.

 I don't really know how much I spend on all the animals. If the rodent bedding is getting low I buy more, same with food. Reptiles are some of the least expensive to keep generally. Now that the cold has hit we don't have anymore garden veggies so I'm having to buy more feed + veggies too. About 2 bags of poultry feed a month + veggies and 1 bag of rabbit food last a couple months I think + veggies too.

The main stuff I keep track of is for the dogs and have average cost, it can vary so much.

Food $6000-10,000
Shows see above close to same
Supplemental type stuff $60-150
Treats not sure
Toys $150-300
Collars $100-200
Vet Bills don't even want to think about it
Clothes $100-150
Houses $500-800
Babysitting $300-600
Straw (varies on price and with size) $42-80+
Beds&blankets not sure depends how many they chew up, how many I buy that are new dog beds, or used blankets/sheets or are home made.
Towels I try to get the beach towels on sale, they've chew up the towels too
Hardware $50-400
Vaccines rabies (vet bill but I separete) $200
others $130-160
Other stuff Crates I have many now (thousands worth) so don't have to buy too often (sometimes they chew out) but if I do probably $30 to $200 or so, this is the same with kennels or tie out system sometimes still buy/make new ones. So it is a lot of money so far. Exercise equipment also adds up fast enough, I want to get a lure coursing machine next.
Medical Supplies varies $75-250

I'm really not sure on a lot of things that I don't keep track of

If I had to do one dog for a year Zara would be one to use, although $ spend per dog varies.

Zara a free dog doesn't mean free for life
Trip to airportt $170
Collar $8
Vet $125
Food $250ish
$553 some are more and some are less, like Samara's food bill is more then twice that amount per year

Looking at Jaxon since I co own him it hasn't been that much money to me
Shows over $200
Food $130ish
Vet $188
Gas (from when I have to get him) around $175 give a take a few $
Thats about it so far $693