You may have heard that if you want to have a pet, you should keep your pocket full of money. There is a lot of investment involved in pet care and other expenses.
If you want to have a cat or dog, you should take time and budget before adopting or buying one. Financial provision for your pet is the main part of being a good dog owner.
Here we will discuss the estimated cost of owning a dog or cat in Australia. This cost depends on the age, life, food, health, and other needs of your dog and cats.
Initial Investment in Owing a Dog
The initial cost of owning a dog is much more than the cost of food and other necessary products. If you want to buy a purebred dog from a well-known breeder, it will cost you around $ 500- $ 2000.
This initial cost is high, but if you buy a puppy from a professional breeder, it will save you a lot of money in the long run. You can also adopt a dog from a shelter or rescue home, it will cost less. Adoption of the rescued or shelter home dog can cost around $ 100- $ 200.
If you adopt a dog from a reputable shelter home, you can get a healthy dog, but you still have to spend a little more on their veterinary care.
Vaccination cost
When you bring a new puppy home, the most important thing is to vaccinate them; the cost of vaccination in the first year is higher than in other years. Vaccination to be done in the first few months can cost you around $ 150- $ 250.
Beds
Your dog needs a cozy bed to relax after long days of training. The cost of the bed depends on its size and quality. If you want to buy a high-quality, easy-to-clean bed, it will cost you around $ 100- $ 200.
Leashes and collars
Each dog needs its own leash and collar and depending on the size and quality of the leash and collar, it will cost you around $ 50- $ 100.
Toys
Dogs need toys for mental stimulation and exercise. You need indestructible chew toys for your dogs, these toys will also aid in the teething process. Generally, puppy toys can cost around $ 50 or more.
Food
It is necessary to feed your dog with high-quality food. Food expenses depend on the size, energy level, and the cost of food. Food and treats can cost you around $ 800 a year.
Grooming
Grooming needs are tailored according to your dog’s coat. Small, smooth-haired dogs need less grooming compared to long-haired dogs. However, grooming can cost you around $ 100- $ 500 a year.
Desexing
At the right time, your puppy needs to be spayed or neutered, it is essential to his health, and this process can cost you around $ 200- $ 500.
Microchipping
A microchip is the most effective way to protect your dog from being stolen or lost. It is a small chip about the size of a grain of rice and implants under the skin of your dog. It will cost you around $ 50- $ 100.
Obedience training
Most pet parents train their dogs at home, but if you plan to take them to a training school, it will cost you around $ 100- $ 300 a year.
Veterinary care
Routine veterinary care can keep your dog healthy and fit. Your dog needs a regular dental cleaning, flea and tick treatment, and other unexpected health problems that can cost you around $ 200- $ 300 a year.
Dog insurance
Pet insurance plans vary and depend on many factors. Usually, an annual insurance plan can cost you around $ 200- $ 300.
The lifetime cost of a dog
A dog can maximum live up to 20 years, so by including the initial cost and the minimum cost of $ 900- $ 1000 per year for the whole life. The total cost would be around $ 20,000- $ 25,000.
The initial cost of owning a cat
Cats are lovely pets, and their maintenance requirement is much less than that of dogs, but they will still cost you a fair amount of money.
If you plan to buy a cat from a reputable breeder, it will cost you $ 100- $ 800. This price variation is due to your cat’s breed and fur coat. Breeds such as Maine Coon, Persian, and Norwegian Forest cats can cost you a fair amount of money.
Cost of cat toys and bedding
Toys and beds are the obvious things a cat needs. Its cost depends on its quality and size. Cat beds will cost around $ 50- $ 100, and the cost of the toy will be $ 30 or more.
Vaccination
When you bring a cat home, you must get their vaccine and the yearly booster done. The first round of vaccines will cost you around $ 200- $ 300.
Food
Cat food will cost less than dog food. If you are looking for quality cat food and its feeding equipment, it will cost you around $ 300- $ 400.
Insurance
There are many insurance policies that you can buy in your cat’s early years. The annual insurance plan will cost around $ 200- $ 250.
Veterinary bills
Veterinary bills sometimes get very heavy if your cat suffers from a disease like liver disease and urinary tract infections, which is why most people opt for pet insurance. If you plan to pay their bill on your own, it will cost you around $ 400- $ 500.
Neutering or Spaying
If you want to avoid behavioral problems and lots of little kittens in your home, you should spend around $ 150- $ 300 on spaying or neutering your cat.
Microchip
The microchip is not a legal requirement for cats, but if you want to prevent your cat from being lost or stolen, the microchip will cost you $ 50- $ 100.
Grooming
Like dogs, the grooming requirement also depends on your cat’s breed and coat. Regular domestic cats only require regular brushing to avoid matting and tangles, and a high-quality brush won’t cost you much.
However, pedigree and long-haired cats will require regular grooming and will cost you $ 50 or more.
The Lifetime Cost of a Cat
When we calculate the cost of living for the cat, it involves two main areas: the initial cost (training, vaccination, and adoption) and other costs such as (toys, food, and veterinary visits). If your cat lives up to 20 years and we combine both costs, the lifetime cost of having a cat will be around $ 2000.
