Cost of Pet Ownership Adds Up

Here's an informative article that I thought I would pass on...hope you find it interesting! –Kim

Long-term Costs Add Up for Dog Ownership

By Jan Larsen for Sun-Times Media
Jun 13, 2011

The price of dog ownership varies widely according to breed, size, age and luck. Some veterinarians have estimated owners could spend $20,000 over the life of a dog.

The 2006 National Pet Owners Survey conducted by the American Pet Products Manufacturers Association said the average annual cost of owning a dog is $2,084. (Cat owners pay about $1,318 per year.) Expenses (in dollars) include veterinary care, boarding, grooming, food, treats, toys, training, collars and leashes.

Product/Service	Low cost	High cost
Food	$125	$700
Vaccines	$100	$100
Vet bills	$40	$500
Bed	$0	$50
Treats	$0	$500
Toys	$0	$150
Flea control	$20	$200
Heartworm	$50	$100
Shampoo	$6	$25
Grooming	$0	$400
Grooming tools	$1	$25
Dental care	$0	$40
Stain cleaner	$5	$100
Boarding	$0	$500
TOTALS	$347	$3,390*

*Total over the life of a 50-pound, 12-year-old dog in the Midwest

(Editor's Note: I'm pretty sure that prices have gone even higher since the 2006 results above were released. It's something to consider when making decisions about a dog.)

Source: http://couriernews.suntimes.com/news/5894795-417/long-term-costs-add-up-for-dog-ownership.html
Copyright © 2011 — Sun-Times Media, LLC

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Also, see: Spending on Pets Rises During Recession