Bringing in a puppy or a dog into your home can be a very exciting time for pet owners. However, with the excitement, caring pet owners always try and make sure they have everything in order, so the dog can come home to the perfect family. This includes many considerations about your lifestyle, your family, and most importantly, how much it will cost.
Why should I worry about the cost?
You may be thinking – “I love my dog, and I’ll pay whatever I need to keep him healthy. Why should I worry about the cost?” Well, it is always a good idea to be prepared. Most times, especially when new pet owners are making decisions about their dog, they tend to underestimate just how much it’ll cost.
Remember, you have the responsibility to give him or her the right tools to live a long and healthy life. The decision to bring a puppy into your home is a huge investment, and you shouldn’t do it unless you have the means to give the puppy the right food, toys, and attention it needs to grow properly.
Variables
The costs calculated here won’t fully adapt to what you experience, and there are reasons for that. Firstly, costs may differ depending on the vet, pet shop, or store you visit. Secondly, you may have to account for special considerations based on your dog’s breed or age. Puppies, additionally, may incur more costs as they require greater care and constant visits to the vet. Additionally, their food is specialized and may cost more.
One time expenses
If you’re budgeting, remember that you only need to make space for these expenses one time while you are initially introducing the dog to your home.
Purchasing
Although it is recommended to adopt animals as it gives needy animals a home and prevents the commercial breeding of animals, some people prefer purchasing their pets. In such a case, the costs can range anywhere from 0 to upwards of 100,000 rupees depending on their age, breed, pedigree registration and other qualifiers.
Medical costs
The following medical costs will only be implemented once over the course of your pet’s life.
Spaying or Neutering
When you spay or neuter your dog, you are not only ensuring that he or she will live a longer and healthier life, but you are also reducing stray populations on the streets. A spay or neuter surgery for dogs costs somewhere between 9,000 to 20,000 rupees.
Medical Check-up
After bringing your puppy home, you will need to take him or her for their very first medical checkup. Here, the vet will ensure that they are safe and healthy, and it is also a great way for you to ask any questions you have about your new dog’s wellbeing. This complete medical check-up will cost between 2,000 to 3,000 rupees.
Vaccinations
Your dog will need to be vaccinated to keep him or her safe from deadly diseases. This usually involves an initial shot and then a booster after a month, which is then followed by yearly boosters. Excluding the yearly boosters, the vaccination will cost you around 6,000 to 8,000 rupees for the initial vaccination and the first booster.
Other costs
In addition, you will need to invest in the following for your dog:
Leash and collar
A leash and collar are important for your new dog as they will be vital for you as you introduce him or her to the new surroundings. On average this will cost you between 500 to 1,500 rupees depending on the brand, size, and the quality.
Kennel or bed
Your dog will need a place to sleep and relax in. So if you are keeping him outdoors, you will need to buy a kennel, which can cost up from Rs. 20,000 to Rs. 40,000.. An indoor dog will be happy to sleep in a nice, soft bed, which will require between Rs. 2,000 to Rs. 5,000 depending on the size, the make, and the quality of the product.
Carrier
If you want to take your dog around, and he or she is small enough, you might want to invest in a carrier. This will make your visits to the vet and other places much easier. A carrier big enough to house a small or a large dog will cost you between 3,000 to 15,000 rupees.
Training
In order to adapt to living with humans, your dog will require training. If the dog you have gotten is already trained, you will probably not have to train him or her again. This will cost you between 8,000 to 10,000 rupees.
Accumulating all this information, your one-time costs of taking home a dog are between
25,000 to about 45,000 rupees, exclusive of training and purchasing costs.
Annual Expenses
The one-time expenses are usually costlier than what it will cost you to take care of your dog, as it often includes various purchases that you will no longer need. However, as a carer of a dog, you will also need to consider a couple of annual expenses.
Food
As something that your dog will need constantly, it is vital that you are able to keep up with your dog’s food needs. Depending on the kind of food, the brand, and the quality, the price may change. Not considering any treats, your dog’s dry food will cost you around the area of Rs. 40,000 to Rs. 60,000 a year.
Medical Check-ups
A complete medical check-up is often recommended by vets to be done at least once or twice a year, to help root out any medical problems, and to give you the chance to address any concerns you have while raising your dog. For puppies, however, this cost may increase. To make sure you have the correct schedule of appointments, talk to your vet about how often you need to come in. This will cost you around 3,000 to 10,000 rupees per year.
Toys
Dogs are energetic creatures who need to be kept active so they can stay happy and interested in the world around them. If you want to keep your dog happy, you will need to give him or her some toys eventually. Depending on the kinds of toys you buy and their quality, this can cost you around 1,000 to 3,000 rupees per year.
Miscellaneous Costs
As a pet owner, you can never really predict anything. You may run into some extra costs over the course of the year, for example, on supplies, or even an injury or illness. To keep an edge and make sure you’re covered financially, you should keep in mind around 5,000 rupees just for the sake of it.
Considering all this information, the yearly cost of keeping a dog goes up to 20,000 to 40,000 rupees every year.
It might seem a bit daunting to know how much keeping a dog costs exactly, but this shouldn’t discourage you from bringing a puppy into your life. Not only is the investment worth it, knowing you are bringing a lovable animal love, care, and shelter, but you will be rewarded with the most loyal and loving relationship known by man and his best friend.
