Becoming a dog owner is an exciting journey in which closeness, responsibility and love are the keys to a relationship that will always leave an indelible mark on our hearts. However, it naturally involves a series of commitments, emotional but also financial. In fact, when choosing dog company, it is necessary to be aware of the possible costs in order to offer him a healthy and balanced life.
So which are the expenses to consider for the care of your four-legged friend with serenity?
Dog initial expenses
Although it is often overshadowed by the enthusiasm for the arrival of a new family member, the financial aspect can be significant and deserves a careful evaluation.
Buying or adopting
The choice between buying a puppy and adopting is as moral as financial. Purebred dogs can in fact be expensive and reach very high prices depending on their lineage, their pedigree or the reputation of the breeding center. A puppy with a pedigree can be very expensive, while on the other hand the dog adoption through a dog shelter, a kennel or an association – whether a puppy or already an adult – offers the important and sensitive opportunity to give him a new life. While adoption fees are relatively minimal, they typically include preliminary medical checks, vaccinations, and sterilization.
Initial vet visit
Regarding medical visits, your dog’s health is a fundamental expense therefore it is essential an immediate vet visit. This visit not only establishes the initial health of your pet, but also provides information about potential genetic or breed-specific disorders. Thanks to vaccination information, personalized feeding advice and grooming solutions, this first visit can lay the foundations of your dog’s long-term well-being.
Just a quick vet visit to find out if your puppy is in good health.
Registering and microchipping
Pet parenthood comes with a social responsibility. For this reason, once bought or adopted, you will have to make sure that he’s registered in the canine registry, equipped with microchip and health record. In the case you got him in a breeding center or adopted him through a dog shelter, he should already be registered, but an additional check is anyway an appropriate expense. In particular, regarding adopted dogs, if they do not have the chip, the new owners are required to apply it within 15 days from the adoption date. The subcutaneous microchip, mandatory by law since 1991, is very important as it contains the identification data of your furry friend and, in case he goes missing, it makes it easier to find him.
Ordinary expenses for your dog
Days, later weeks and then years go by and the bond with your four-legged heart becomes deeper and long-lasting. Taking care of his well-being will naturally be a daily occurrence, so you will have to consider the existence of some types of ordinary expenses. Which ones? Let’s find out right away.
Nutrition
We can basically say that the saying “You are what you eat” also applies to dogs.
Their diet is based on a delicate balance adapted to their breed, age and activity. The choice of foods is of primary importance, since a correct nutrition results entails a good health which can help your dog avoiding any “extra” medical treatment expenses. It will therefore be essential to carefully identify the most suitable eating style for your Fido by learning to recognize, as he ages, how to change his diet so he can stay fit.
If you choose dry food such as good brand and good quality kibbles, the expense involves a cost ranging approximately from 4 to 7.5 euros per kilo at full price and from 3 to 5 euros per kg if purchased on offer. To get an idea of cost, a small dog could eat around 60/80g per day while a large dog should eat around 300/350g per day. If you instead choose homemade food, it would be an expense that will cost between 50.00 and 100.00 euros per month based on the dog size.
Whatever you choose, it is good to keep in mind that a common mistake is to find rock-bottom food prices, without paying attention to the quality of the product. This can lead to the great risk of making your dog ill, causing him significant problems.
Vet care
Dogs, like all living beings, can suffer from various diseases and health problems. Routine vet visits allow you to recognize and prevent both temporary and seasonal illnesses, such as digestive disorders and colds, and more serious health problems. Having a trusted veterinarian is an essential expense in your dog’s life path, here are a few examples: mandatory and optional vaccinations to best protect his health, dental cleaning, parasite prevention and also treatments for aging.
Grooming
Grooming a dog is not an important expense only for aesthetic reasons, but above all for his coat and skin care. Actually, each breed has different needs related to the type of hair: long, short, smooth, curly, dense… For the best choice it is always a good idea to contact a professional groomer who will be able to advise you about the most suitable treatment for your furry friend.
We can certainly suggest taking care of his fur at home as well with Yuup! products, to guarantee an excellent coat maintenance.
Shampoos for all hair types and colors, detangling, restructuring and volumizing conditioners, perfumes, but also paw and ear care products, professional brushes… these are a necessary expense that you can make in our shop!
Hair care expense is a primary aspect for the dog well-being.
Additional expense for the dog
Life is unpredictable and having a dog at home is certainly no exception. Unexpected events can always be around the corner and knowing how to deal with them will give you a clearer idea, also regarding the expenses.
Education
A well-behaved dog is a joy for everyone.
Let’s start by saying that basic education is always recommended to give the dog all the skills to be able to fit correctly into any social context, but it will also help him understanding and managing correctly all the stimuli that urban reality cannot provide. Furthermore, basic education will teach the owner to understand and be understood by his furry friend thus encourage a proper communication. We remind you that it is important to contact experts and specialized figures such as the educator and the dog instructor. In case of significant behavioral problems, it is essential to contact a vet skilled in animal behavior who will guide us, working in synergy with the dog educator, towards the most suitable rehabilitation process.
Moreover, there are lots of sports you can do with your dog to share the pleasure of practicing an activity together, to strengthen your relationship and why not, you could also engage in some competitions!
Toys and accessories
A stimulated dog is a happy animal.
Specific dog toys are designed to satisfy his innate instincts, such as predation, chewing and chasing. Investing in the right games can keep him physically and mentally fit, making a long-term improvement in the quality of his life. An expense consisting of harnesses, leashes and appropriate clothing for each season is also of primary importance in order to contribute to his comfort and correct management.
Toys, toys and more toys. Let’s stay active!
Emergencies
Even if we always hope for their best, as we said, being prepared for the unexpected is necessary. Accidental injuries or sudden illnesses may require unscheduled emergency vet visits. These situations are emotionally difficult to deal with, but can also involve a certain type of expense.
Nowadays there are some preventive solutions important to recommend:
- dog insurance thanks to which for a monthly fee you can make sure you are protected in case of unexpected expenses;
- set aside a small emergency fund, a certainly clever action, which in many cases can help you not to be unprepared and above all to intervene quickly to allow your beloved life partner to recover as soon as possible;
- Italian tax deduction through which veterinary expenses can be included in the tax return with form 730. The amounts exceeding the deductible of 129.11 euros and below the limit threshold of 550.00 euros are 19% deductible. So remember to set your receipts and invoices aside!
We have tried to present you in detail through an informed approach the necessary expenses when having a dog, to ensure that we can predict both: the value of routine expenses and that of unexpected events.
Awareness is the key to a unique bond based on well-being.
The happiness and the health of your furry friend are priceless and being prepared with a correct planning will allow you to fully enjoy this wonderful journey side by side!
Article written with the consultancy of Chiara Festelli, Dog Trainer.
