We all melt when we see a cute fluffy puppy and it’s incredibly easy to be tempted into welcoming one into your family. But before getting too carried away, remember to ask yourself if you really can afford it BEFORE you take the plunge into puppy ownership.
It’s easy for the children, or a partner to convince you into saying yes but it is a big commitment that requires a lot of planning – not only because of the obvious lifestyle adaptions but also the financial outlay and ongoing expenses.
INITIAL COSTS
We all know buying a puppy from a breeder isn’t cheap. This can range anywhere from £800 - £5,000+ but if purchasing from a reputable breeder, this is a good investment as it means you’ll have confidence that your puppy has been bred properly (considering any breed-specific genetic conditions or health issues such as hip dysplasia) and raised properly (including welfare and vet checks).
You’ll also need to consider the cost of initial equipment purchases such as beds, crates, leads, toys, bowls etc which can easily set you back another £500 - £1,000.
THEN there’s the regular monthly costs to factor in as well….
FOOD
The saying ‘you are what you eat’ applies to dogs too. While a good quality diet may be a little more expensive, it has many benefits for health, nutrition and temperament. You can research the different brands of dog food at www.allaboutdogfood.com
My spend - approx £40-£50 p/m for one Labrador.
CHEWS & TREATS
No doubt you’ll want to train your puppy using yummy treats and natural chews are a must to save your furniture from teeth marks.
My spend – approx. £40 p/m for one Labrador
WORMING/FLEA TREATMENTS
Dogs will need either regular treatments from the vet or a regular worm count undertaken. A vet’s healthy pet club is likely to cost £12-£20 p/m to cover regular treatment and annual vaccinations, whereas a worm count is around £25 every two months
INSURANCE
Good insurance ensures you’re covered no matter what, but can easily set you back another £50 per month
TRAINING
Remember prevention is better than cure so regular training ensures you and your dog learn essential skills and keep focused throughout their life.
Approx spend £60-£120 a month
DAYCARE / WALKERS
If you’ll have to go to work and leave your dog during the day, you’ll need to employ someone to care for your dog in your absence – an average cost for day care is around £25 per day.
GROOMERS
Depending on the breed of your dog, you might need regular trips to the groomer every 6 – 8 weeks. An average cost is £30-£50 per groom
What about the unexpected things….
We can all plan for the expected monthly costs, but there’s bound to be extra costs that you simply can’t plan for but will still need to accommodate if required.
If you’re a lover of going on holiday dog free, you’ll need to add the cost of dog care into your holiday budget.
What if they break their lead or harness, rip up that expensive bed – it’ll need replacing.
Some dogs will have unexpected vet bills, require dietary supplements or need holistic therapy such as hydrotherapy, massage or physiotherapy.
If you’re lucky, your dog will sail through life without too much cause for concern, but what if you need extra support through 121 training or a behaviourist (which is very common with rescue dogs who may have had a traumatic or unknown past but often also applicable to puppies too as they grow and develop).
There will be many other things we’ve not listed that could crop up throughout your dog’s life and remember if you decide to have more than one dog the costs will multiply.
It’s really important to factor in everything before deciding if you can afford a puppy. We know it sounds expensive (and it can be!), but the cuddles are worth every penny!