[EDIT] I was too worried about making a typo in the post, that I butchered the title. Sorry folks
[EDIT 2] More Pics
[EDIT 3] For anyone interested, I did a similar breakdown last fall about the TCO for my car that I had just paid off. There was a lot less moral discussion and shaming, but disagreements did come up Here's the link
My wife and I decided to get a puppy last fall to give our current dog some companionship (and for me to stave off the discussion of having a baby right now). We already had a 7yr old Australian Cattle Dog, also called a Blue Heeler, and knew that we wanted to get another ACD. For those that don't know, they are super smart herding dogs bred for moving cattle by nipping at their heels (hence the name). Their intelligence is great because they can pick up on things very quickly, but they are also super hard headed and can even outsmart their owners.
So we picked up Annie on Nov. 4, 2017 from a guy off craigslist. I know that there are tons of rescues out there that need homes and there are even ACD rescue groups around the US, but the breeder was just someone who had 2 Heelers and had a litter of puppies. This was not a puppy mill situation at all. The dog cost us $400, was 8 weeks old and had already been given her first round of shots.
Here is a breakdown of what we've spent since last November when we got the puppy. Friday is her birthday, so this is a year's worth of expenses.
Total Cost of Ownership for 1st year: $1888.28
Basic Categories
-
Food - $237.41 [We have been using Iams Smart Puppy from Kroger @ ~$18/ 15lb bag. This lasts 3-4 weeks]
-
Boarding (9 nights) - $191.00 [We board both dogs at our vet for $21/night/dog. Normally we try to take them with us or have them stay with my parents]
-
Supplies (crate, bowls, leash, etc) - $166.49 [This included a baby gate to close off the living room that the puppy figured out she could climb over after only 30min. Again, very smart dogs]
-
Vet (shots, flea meds, spay, etc) - $794.38 [Spaying cost $315, various puppy shots and vaccines were $290 bc our vet messed up and we had to redo some of them. Trifexus (combination flea/heart worm pills are ~$26/month)]
-
Breeder - $400
Having already had a dog for 7 years, we knew the costs associated with having a puppy and living a normal human life with a dog. Now that we have 2 dogs, traveling out of town takes more thought and planning because we either have to board both, take both, or take one and leave the other with someone. Now that the puppy is a year old, both dogs will be eating the same food, which will save a little bit of money.
Sometimes when people decide to get a pet, no matter the species, they only think about the upfront cost. I just wanted to break down what the actual costs were for a year of owning a puppy just in case anyone was considering getting one. Granted, the joy/happiness (and frustration) we've had this year is worth much more than $1900 so you can't put everything into dollars.
[Edit] One thing that I didnt mention and others have commented about below is the time commitment required to having a puppy, or just any dog. The waking up multiple times at night to take them out when they are little, or coming home during the day/having someone take them out. There were a few months when I was exhausted every day at work from getting up every couple of hours to let her out and it seemed like it would never end. But now she joyfully goes in her crate around 9:30 and doesnt make a peep until around 6 (when I get up for work). Things will only get easier as she realizes that weekends are for sleeping in
Go out and hug your animal today (or if you don't have one, enjoy your clean house/apartment). They might cause us headache, but they are also really fun to be around.
Submitted August 30, 2018 at 08:59AM by points4trying https://ift.tt/2wpn1Ui
