When thinking about getting a dog there are more financial factors to come into play than you might think. Having taken the (somewhat mad) decision to bring a puppy into our home nine months ago, I have been amazed at the ways my money seems to fritter away on his behalf. When I was thinking about getting a dog, I knew the costs would include food, vet and insurance costs, as well as the initial outlay of dog-related paraphernalia. Less expected costs have included the following:Grooming your dog regularly is obviously essential for their comfort and well-being. And while I expected a trip to the grooming salon every month for a trim, bath, nail trim and ear plucking (and hot stone massage if the bill is anything to go by), it’s the small expenses that add up here. Most long haired dogs need daily brushing, and I’ve had to buy quite the assortment of combs and brushes to meet this requirement to fix and prevent knotting. In addition to this I’ve had to spend significant money on different ear cleaning products, products for cleaning his teeth, towels for after his walks (which are also constantly going through the washing machine), deodorising sprays, no-wash shampoo, you name it, the list goes on. The moral to the story here is: expect to spend a lot more time and money grooming your dog than you might initially think. Or get a short- haired one.
Given, a dog will play with anything for a toy. That doesn’t mean you won’t be fooled into buying endless amounts of junk to keep him occupied. The best toys I’ve come across are Kongs, which can be stuffed with treats to keep him busy, and can outlast even the toughest chewers. The cost of beds can also add up, particularly as some last better than others, and finding the right one can set you back quite a pretty penny. The best ones are those that allow you to remove the cover to put through the washing machine, rather than having to wash the whole thing – they are never the same after they come out of the spin cycle otherwise.
This is for. Real. Money. The amount of dirt, chewed-up sticks, and general puppy-related rubbish that gets trekked through my house on a daily basis is nothing less than astonishing. It has worn out two vacuums, incurred two professional carpet cleanings, and cost no end in cleaning products to keep things looking and smelling fresh. Not to mention the amount of washing powder I get through keeping his towels and blankets clean. This is a serious expense, don’t forget to add it to your calculations when deciding if you can afford a dog. And if you own your own home, take up your carpets and save yourself many tears!
We are lucky enough to have good friends who love to take our dog when we go on holidays. I much prefer to send him there where he will be thoroughly spoilt and taken on long walks every day than to put him in a kennel with a bunch of other dogs. Kennels can cost as much as £20 per night, so if you are planning on taking holidays and have no dog-loving friends, l’d suggest looking into house sitters who will come and stay at your home, usually for a lot less than the cost of a kennel.
Even though I work from home, there are still days where, either I’m flat out all day, or have to be out for meetings. This means having a dog walker who will come to the house, collect pup and take him out for a couple of hours. It can be expensive, but is certainly cheaper in the long run than having to replace whatever he destroyed while left alone and bored for hours on end. And it gives peace of mind, knowing he’ll be out on a little adventure that day. So don’t forget to take this expense into account.
* * Disclaimer: I am fully aware that this post reveals my inner crazy dog lady. I’m OK with that. * *
{Image: Peter Grima}
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London-based personal finance blogger FruGal has her finger on the financial pulse. Her popular musings on personal finance have achieved wide acclaim. FruGal’s work was shortlisted for a 2010 Cosmo Blog Award and has also been featured in Observer magazine.
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