I hesitate to discuss this topic, because I wouldn't want to deter anyone from saving a dog or cat from the stress of an animal shelter.
But, here's the truth: pet ownership is a hefty expense, made heftier if that animal happens to develop a serious health condition. Veterinarian bills aside, the high cost of pet ownership can be prohibitive for many. If you think it's out of your price range, take heed.
You wouldn't want to adopt a pet only to have to return it to the animal shelter or breeder. That could be heart breaking for both of you.
So what does it cost to own and operate a dog or cat?
A couple of American veterinarians, Foster and Smith, have broken down the costs of dog ownership. At the lowest end, the annual cost estimated is $4,300. If you spend moderately, you're looking at $14,000 and if you pay top dollar for your pet, consider spending a whopping $44,700.
Those have been converted into Canadian figures and do not include vaccines, spaying, neutering or other vet care. Here's what they've factored into their costs - expenses you may not really think about until you have your furry friend:
- Food, bed, chew bones, bowls, collars, leashes,
- Training fences, vitamins, flea controls, heartworms, shampoo, grooming, grooming tools, dental care,
- Stain cleaners, training aids, boarding, crate and car restraints.
And if you opt for pet insurance, you're looking at an estimated $2,500 to $9,000 for the life span of the pet.
The good news for cat lovers is that generally, the feline friends are a lot cheaper to maintain. Estimates for annual cat ownership are usually around $1,100 a year for food and basic necessities.
Unless you're feeding your precious feline caviar and lobster, you needn't expect to go a lot higher for costs involving food, beds, brushes, crate, scratching posts, litter, collars, toys, treats, and a little catnip now and then.
Cats don't incur big-ticket items such as training, fencing and regular grooming like a lot of dogs do. Cats don't even need toys. As most cat owners know, a cat can have hours of fun with a crumpled ball of paper. However, if you want your cat to be an indoor cat with some outdoor access, you can expect to shell out for special cat fencing, outdoor cat pens and harnesses for kitty walks.
But, if you've got the money - don't let the dollar signs get in the way of acquiring a fur family. The returns are far greater than the annual outlay!
