Owning a ... dog
The cost of a dog
Please note: this is only an estimate using approximate prices. Cost will vary depending on the individual dog. It is only intended to be a guide.
Initial costs
Dog, cost varies from a small donation (£40 or so) to a rescue centre, to £500 plus for a pedigree.
Bed, around £30-£40
Water bowl, around £5
Food bowl, about £5
Collar, around £5
Lead, around £10 for a flexi-lead
I.D. tag, around £15
Toys, around £5 for a couple
Food, max £1 for a can of meat
Dog biscuits, around £2 for a box
Two sets of vaccinations, maximum of £50
Castration, max £80
Worming treatment, around £12 for a year
Flea treatment, around £22 for 6 months
Microchip, max £30
Total (if buying a £500 dog) = £772
Site design and content © Charlotte Owen 2003
(if homing a rescue dog) = £322
Monthly cost
For a medium sized dog, 14 cans of meat @ £1= £14
Mixer, for a medium sized dog 1 bag @ £3
Dried food, for a medium sized dog, 1 bag @ £5
Box of biscuits @ £2
Total = £24
Yearly cost
For a medium sized dog, 14 x 12 cans of meat @ £1 = £168
For a medium sized dog, 12 bags of mixer @ £3 = £36
For a medium sized dog, 12 bags of dry food @ £5 = £60
For a medium sized dog, 6 boxes of biscuits @ £2 = £12
A years' flea treatment = roughly £44
A year's worm treatment = £12
Vet bills, depending on the individual, so count as an excess on total
Total = £332
So, in the first year of purchase, it may cost in the region of £1080 for a pedigree, £620 for a rescue dog.
From these estimations, you may well spend up to £5762 on your pedigree dog if it lives for 16 years, plus any vet bills, or £5302 on your rescue dog if it lives for 16 years, plus any vet bills (excluding those mentioned above).
