Costs of Pet Ownership
 
Before you go to the pet shop, animal show or adoption shelter you need to think about what you are about to do. There is the dollar cost – food, collars, cages, medical care, etc. There is the mental cost – holding your temper if your puppy, bird, cat, whatever messes up the house, needs to go out at 6 am or just plain needs attention.  There is also the time commitment – for animals such as dogs, playtime and “pack” time, for all animals cleaning time and then ultimately lifespan time. Dogs and cats can live past 15 years, fish can live over five – easy, birds – pick an age – parrots can outlive you and reptiles – how about 25 years for that snake.

Vacation care is something many don’t even think of. Each type of pet could need special care and consideration. If you will be gone for 1 day, your dog will need to be “let out” and fed. Your cats, and other pets should have someone come in to check on their water and food levels. Fish tanks and reptiles should have the lights turned on and off (if not on timers). Having someone do this is not cheap. A typical kennel stay for a dog or cat can exceed $15 per day – if you are gone for a week add the costs up yourself. Recently we have brought our dogs with us on overnight and vacations. Even though for the most part it was enjoyable, there were times it was extremely trying (mental cost).

Time commitment is something that is almost always overlooked. We bought my son a bearded dragon when he was 12 years old. My luck, when he went to college it was still alive and the dorm would not allow him to bring it. 4 years of crickets and veggies, substrate changes, tank cleanings, etc I gave it back to him. It is now 11 years old and still eating crickets and veggies – he is now caring for it. Oh – during my care (I missed this) it got an infection. My son brought it to a vet and spent $250 for proper diagnosis and treatment.

Below is a list of recurring annual costs you can expect to pay for your pet:

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Small Dogs: These include toy breeds and some other dogs that are less than 15 pounds can cost over $1,000 per year.  Annual costs include: food, proper medical care(shots such as rabies, parvo, etc. annual checkups as well as other), toys, licenses and permits, collars – etc, carrier and crate and grooming. Spaying and neutering are extra.

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Medium Dogs: Coming in a close second, medium-sized dogs, like beagles and cocker spaniels, are nearly the most costly pets, fetching up to $1,500 per year. Annual costs include: food, proper medical care(shots such as rabies, parvo, etc. annual checkups as well as other), toys, licenses and permits, collars – etc, carrier and crate and grooming. Spaying and neutering are extra.

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Large Dogs: Big dogs like golden retrievers, labrabors and Dalmatians. Obvious expenses like food and crates for large dogs are high and first year total expenses can reach $2,000. Annual costs include: food, proper medical care(shots such as rabies, parvo, etc. annual checkups as well as other), toys, licenses and permits, collars – etc, carrier and crate and grooming. Spaying and neutering are extra.

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Cats: Total annual costs for a cat can reach upwards of $1,000. Annual costs include: food, proper medical care(shots such as rabies, parvo, feline leukemia etc. annual checkups as well as other), toys, licenses and permits, collars – etc, carrier and crate, cat litter and grooming. Spaying and neutering are extra.

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Rabbits: need time out of their hutch (mental and time cost). The dollar cost for a rabbit can easily exceed $500 annually. Rabbits need litter and bedding, an appropriate hutch, food, proper medical care (shots, checkups as well as other), toys, licenses and permits, collars – etc, carrier and crate and grooming. Spaying and neutering are extra.

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Guinea Pigs: Just like rabbits need time out of their hutch (mental and time cost). The dollar cost for a guinea pig can easily exceed $500 annually. Guinea pigs need litter and bedding, an appropriate hutch, food, proper medical care (shots, checkups as well as other), toys, licenses and permits, collars – etc, carrier and crate and grooming. Spaying and neutering are extra

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Gerbils and Hamsters: qualify as small mammals and cost the least of small mammals. Spaying would be a bit mush – however, be a responsible owner and do let your pets breed unless you are willing to care for the offspring or find new homes for them. Leave the breeding to the professionals. The dollar cost for Gerbils and Hamsters can easily exceed $300 annually. Gerbils and Hamsters need litter and bedding, an appropriate hutch, food, proper medical care (shots, checkups as well as other), toys, licenses and permits

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 Small Birds: such as parakeets or the cheapest pets to keep but that doesn't mean free. One must provide toys and treats and a cage for their feathered friends. That can cost up to $200 annually. 

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 Fish: Depending on your involvement with the hobby and excluding tank and setup (which can easily cost over $500) – fish bowl ($20 annual) small freshwater tank ($30 - $100 annual) and large freshwater or saltwater ($100 easy – up to $500 – try feeding meat eating fish)

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Reptiles: Depending on your involvement with the hobby and excluding tank/cage and setup (which can easily cost up to $500). Annual costs can easily exceed $100. Food such as crickets can be $.10 each and a reptile can eat several per day, substrate for the tank, cage furniture, cleaning materials, vet care, etc are needed for a healthy pet. Oh, by the way, that little ball python you just bought can live for 25 years (time cost). Be prepared for this extended responsibility.