By Gillian Ridgeway
With holiday spending now in the past, many people find this is the time of the year to make, or adjust, their budget. This will help keep things on track and allow us to ensure that all our bills will be covered. It is just as important to look at your budget when adding a pet, such as a cat or dog, to your family.
The initial cost of the pet is never the issue, and in fact letting the kids have a kitten simply because it comes from a litter born in your neighborhood is not the best idea. Making sure that you can cover not only the daily expenses but also all the surrounding expenses of your pet is definitely something the family should sit down and put onto paper first. You will need to make sure that you have enough for all the initial Veterinary care such as a series of vaccinations and the spay/neuter.
You will then need to look at annual medical costs such as vaccinations, flea control and heartworm prevention medication for dogs. Then of course, being prepared for emergencies or long term illness is a factor. Discuss the option of Pet Insurance with your Veterinarian. Paying a monthly fee is often much easier to put into a budget. Make sure you know in advance exactly what the insurance will cover.
Cats come in one general size but dogs are a totally different case. Pet food, medication and Veterinary procedures, and boarding are just some of the things that are charged according to body weight or size. It is obvious that a larger dog will eat more food, but don’t forget that they will need more medication and larger accommodations too. For dogs you will need to consider both grooming and training. There are breeds that will require regular visits to the dog parlor. You might get your pup and decide that you will cut costs by clipping him yourself, but trust me…grooming is quite an art and before long you will be booking an appointment. It will be well worth it!
Basic training is a requirement for all dogs. Again, you may feel that you can go to the local library or search the Internet to get information on dog training and give it a go. That might work for some dogs, but the majority will greatly benefit from a beginner’s class. This will help you learn much-needed dog handling skills and make sure that your dog has his basic manners. Of course, you may then decide to get involved in dog sports or advanced training. Costs vary from school to school, but keep in mind that there is often a difference in service and experience. Make sure you do your homework.
There is no benefit to spending your whole budget on buying your dog, only to find out that you can’t afford to take him to the Veterinarian, groomer or trainer. Remember that taking a trip to a local pet shelter may just put you in touch with the perfect pet.
Keep in mind that our pets count on us to take care of them. I’m sure that many of them would be quite willing to take out a part time job to help out if possible, but instead they will pay us back ten-fold in love, affection and fun.
| | |
|
Articles 
