Budgeting for Dogs as Newlyweds

Setting up a household together requires budgeting for every aspect of your new lives. This includes your pets. Whether you are bringing a pet, or two, into the relationship, or obtaining a new one to raise together, you should budget carefully to ensure you can keep your new four-legged family companion.

Here is some help on learning the costs of owning a pet as a couple.

Pet Expenses Breakdown

• Adoption or Purchasing Costs – Whether you adopt from a shelter or rescue, or purchase from a breeder, there will be initial costs. Adoption runs from $50-$200, depending on where you obtain your pet. Shelters and Humane Societies are often less expensive than a rescue, as they have state, federal and donation funding. Most rescues operate only on donations and the time of their volunteers. Also, they must pay out of pocket for veterinary services. Purchasing a pet from a professional breeder can cost between $200-$10,000, depending on the breed of pet.
• Food – If you want to keep your pet healthy you should invest in a good diet. While the cost of store brand or basic kibble may be less at checkout, it will be more overall as your pet may not receive appropriate nutrition. A 10-pound bag of basic kibble can run $15.95, but you will pay more in veterinary bills and prescriptions throughout your dog’s life. A 10-pound bag of high-quality kibbles will only run $5-10 more, but your dog will be less likely to get skin, ear and eye infections as well as itchy skin.
• Grooming – Where a short hair pet may require an occasional bath, a pedicure, ear cleaning and dental attention, a long-haired dog may require professional grooming every 6 weeks. Professional grooming can cost from $80-$200. It may be worthwhile to learn how to do much of grooming yourself to save a bit of money.
• Training – All pets need training. If you can glean the information from a book and/or some recordings, and apply it appropriately, you can save thousands of dollars. It can run anywhere from $120 for a group class and $70 per private lesson to $6000 for a board and train program. Proper education is as important for a pet as for a child. It teaches them how to behave appropriately and be responsive to cues.
• Supplies – Pets need dishes, beds, grooming equipment, toys, harnesses, collars, head halter (if needed for a strong, pulling dog) and leashes. Basic supplies can often cost upwards of $400. But popular brands can often cost upwards of $1000. You should consider practical application versus style, though the two of you may not always agree on that topic.
• Veterinary Care – Besides the yearly examinations, vaccinations and the one-time spay or neuter, there will be monthly supplements to control fleas, ticks and heartworm. These supplements can cost upwards of $52 for a 3-month supply. Your veterinarian may also recommend vitamins or other supplements to keep your pet healthy, such as probiotics, calming chews or joint maintenance chews for pets over 6 years of age. There are also illnesses, injuries and allergies to treats. Overall, the average monthly cost of a veterinarian and the supplements required to keep your pet healthy may be $100.

Average Monthly Cost of a Dog

Taking into consideration all the expenses listed above, you can estimate $512 - $2500 per month for pet care. Smaller pets, such as cats or small dogs, may incur less food costs, but veterinary care and grooming may still be part of the equation. Larger dogs will cost more to feed and care for overall. Breeds that have shortened noses or other extreme physical structures will require more veterinary care throughout their lives as these structures obstruct the respiratory system, joints and gastrointestinal systems.

If you refrain from purchasing new toys, pet tech and your pet does not destroy their bed regularly, your monthly expenses will be lower. As you are budgeting for the ownership of your pets as a couple, you should consider the food and veterinary supplies first before splurging for fun toys or bedding.

First Year Cost of a Dog

Altogether the yearly cost of one dog can reach up to $10,000, or more, depending on the breed. There are many variables, of course, such as overall health, food quality and injuries. It may be worthwhile setting up pet insurance for these possibilities. Many pet insurance policies also cover basic check-ups, vaccinations and preventive care. This can give you a better ability to budget owning a pet as a couple.