People spend money for their dog’s health

Student Isacc Loiterman's family spends a great deal on their dog Ginger.

Courtesy of Isacc Loiterman

Student Isacc Loiterman’s family spends a great deal on their dog Ginger.

Jomon Abraham

According to (millionstories.com)Forty percent of Americans own dogs. Many people only get a dog because of their cuteness without knowing how much money will be spent caring for them. The average U.S. pet owner spends $1,332 a year on their pet’s expenses. For some, this expense may be too much for them to afford which may cause them to give up the dog.

 According to Daily Paws many owners can have minor to severe behavioral issues with their dogs. From nipping to severe aggression.

According to (thezebra.com) the average national cost for a dog’s routine check-up is $50 to $250. Overall vet costs including wellness check-ups, dental care, lab tests and vaccines can total between $700 and $1,500 per year. Isaac Loiterman said, “We take her once every three months mostly because she eats things she is not supposed to have.”

 According to Daily Paws Given owners spend the average of $50 a month for a bag of dog food, owners should budget for around $600 a year. A typical lower quality dog food costs in the range of $30 – $75. Given owners spend the average of $50 a month for a bag of dog food, owners should budget for around $600 a year. 

Owner’s name? – Caityln Giertz
What’s your Dog’s name?- Blakely
What breed is he?- Dachshund, Chihuahua and rat terrier mix
Has your dog been in training ?- no
What is his favorite toy?- Antler chews
(Courtesy of Caityln Giertz)
Owner’s name?- Jacey Hernandez
What’s your Dog’s name?- Sinjin
What is his breed?-Teacup Yorkie
Has your dog been in training ?-no
What is his favorite toy?- Stuffless chew toys (Courtesy of Jacey Hernandez)

Quality dog foods on the other hand can range from $150 to $300. The average monthly spend would be around $225, meaning an annual spend of around $2700. It’s always important to remember that dogs need a good balanced diet, just like people do.

Loiterman said,“I don’t know how much because my parents handle that. I say when you buy food and treats it adds up. We buy food and treats once a month.”

Feeding  pups low-quality food is more likely to encourage or promote certain health conditions further down in their lives. Buying slightly more expensive food for a dog is an investment that will pay off in the long run.  Isaac Loiterman said,“I say when you buy food and treats, it adds up. We buy food and treats once a month.”

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Now let’s talk about grooming. According to
Shernbao USA on average, a dog grooming session will cost between $30-$90, depending on a few different factors like the size of the dog and the type of breed and fur it has. Some breeds such as Collies require a lot of coat care due to their thick fur. Some short hair breeds such as Basenjis have minimal coat care due to their fur being short. While a few owners don’t spend any at all for dogs with no hair such as a Mexican Hairless.

According to (spendonpet.com) Pet licensing fees are very cheap in most states. But owners can definitely find some areas where registering your pet costs two or three-folds the price of others. Most licenses are annual but some places also offer other terms. Annual licenses for spayed or neutered dogs are typically around $10 to $20 while unfixed animals are usually about $20 to $50

Numerous one-time and ongoing costs are associated with adopting a dog. In total, the average cost of owning a dog during the first year lands somewhere between $1,471 and $2,008.31, according to the ASPCA. These costs depend heavily on the size of the dog the owner is adopting, among other factors. Adoption fees can range from $50 to $500. 

What owners actually pay will depend on a ton of different factors, including what the shelter charges in the area and often the age of the dog the owner is adopting. Puppies typically come with a higher adoption fee, while senior or hard-to-place dogs are generally cheaper to adopt.

 Most pet owners can expect to pay between $20 and $50 per month for an accident and illness plan with decent coverage. The pet’s age, species and breed, as well as where owners live and the coverage the owner choose all factor into your insurance rates.

About half, or 44.6 percent, of pet owners stated they currently have pet insurance in our survey. On a larger scale, NAPHIA’s 2022 State of the Industry Report found that more than 4.41 million pets were insured in North America in 2021, up from 3.45 million in 2020.

 According to RCO Pet Care the generalization from most dog experts is that dogs need about one to two hours of dedicated doggy time to maintain a strong Owner/dog bond. That can include feeding, playtime, training, grooming, and exercise, spread throughout the day. And, dogs shouldn’t spend more than eight continuous hours alone per day. 

As a general rule, your dog should never be left alone for more than four hours at a time. However, this will greatly depend on your dog, their age, breed and how they cope with being on their own in the house. Some may struggle being away from their owners for this long and others will be unphased.