How Much It Costs To Own a Small Pet
(article by John Woods)
Owning a pet comes with a lot of responsibility as well as costs. Of course, there is the upfront fee of adopting your pet, then the money you spend on your pet’s food, grooming costs, and vet care costs.
If you’re thinking of getting an adorable pet for the first time, you need to know you can afford to keep them healthy and happy. So, to give you a rough guideline so you can budget accordingly, here’s how much it costs to own a small pet.
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Initial adoption cost
The initial cost you incur when getting a pet is the purchasing price or the adoption fee you pay for your pet. We recommend that you consider adopting a pet from a local rescue center as it is not only cheaper but also a noble act. At Ark Animal shelter, the cost of adopting one of our wonderful animals can range from $60 to $280. This cost depends on:
- The age of the animal
- If the pet is vaccinated
- Whether the pet is neutered or sprayed
- Type of animal, for example, cats may be cheaper than dogs
If you decide to buy a pet, the cost may range between $500 and $8,000.
The price depends on:
- The breed of the animal as some specialty breeds are expensive
- If the pet is a purebred or not
Ensure when buying your pet, you get them from a reputable breeder. Such a breeder is likely to give you a better price. They will also have the health records and the background of the pet. Part of your initial cost may also include startup supplies such as bowls, leashes, toys, a crate, or a bed for your pet. If your pet isn’t vaccinated, neutered, or sprayed, you may have to spend some money on this too before you can take them home.
Food costs for your small pet
The money you spend on your pet’s food will depend on their size and type. Cat food typically costs more than dog food, with some sources claiming you could pay $7 per day for some of the most expensive cat food or $0.25 for a grocery-bought kibble.
Moreover, large pets eat more than small pets. Most small pet parents’ food budget ranges between $20 and $50 monthly, and this includes snacks and treats.
To save some money on food expenses, buy your pet’s food from a single pet store. This may see you get regular discounts for being a loyal customer. You can also buy your food in bulk to get quantity discounts.
Vet and medical costs
Vet care is expensive, and it can even get more costly if your pet has a medical condition. The essential vet and medical costs include:
- Annual vet checkups
- Vaccination (though if you get your pet from a rescue like ours they’ll already have their core vaccinations)
- Preventive medical care such as hookworm and tick/flea medication
- Spaying and neutering
Vet expenses may cost you around $500 annually. You may also need to consider dental care and unexpected medical emergencies in case of accidents or unknown health conditions.
We recommend that you have pet insurance or have an emergency fund for your pet just in case something unexpected comes up.
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Grooming expenses
Grooming expenses will vary depending on the type of pet.
For instance, dogs, especially the ones that shed a lot, require lots of grooming. On the other hand, cats are said to be low-maintenance animals.
High maintenance pets may also cost you extra cleaning fees as you may need to get rid of hair on your clothes and carpet. If you own a cat, you should consider cat litter as part of the grooming expenses.
If you’re wondering how you can save on grooming expenses, consider doing the grooming yourself and also buying cat litter in bulk.
Other expenses
There are additional expenses not explained above that you may incur due to having a small pet.
Some of them include:
Travel expenses – If you love to travel, be ready to incur some costs, whether you opt to tag your pet along or not. If you chose to travel with your pet, you might have to pay for their plane ticket. You may have to factor in pet sitting, daycare, or kennel services if you opt to leave your pet behind.
Dog walker costs – If you’re considering adopting a pup, you may need to walk your dog regularly. If you can’t walk him because of one reason or another, you may have to pay a dog walker. Dog walkers charge an average of $30 to $60 per hour, depending on the number of dogs that need walking. Notably, some dog breeds, if not walked or exercised as required, may end up chewing your furniture or clawing on the doors.
Owning a pet comes with a monetary commitment. Most pet owners spend around $500 annually on their pets. Even as you consider other vet costs, ensure you set aside around $1000 or $2000 as an emergency fund to cater for any unexpected expenses for your pet. You don’t want to have to choose between your buddy’s life and other costs when push comes to shove.
Our shelter is in need of the community to offer their homes for adoption. Click here to view our wonderful animals up for adoption, or click here to donate. Thank you for your continued support.