Everyone knows the benefits of a beautiful, fun loving puppy. Those sweet face licks and cuddles are priceless! However, be prepared for some common expenses when you get that new puppy.
The fact is, owning an animal can be expensive at times; especially if you have any medical issues.
However, simply knowing ahead of time the common expenses you will have when you get that new puppy can help quite a bit in being prepared.
Here are 5 common costs associated with bringing that new puppy home.
1.Vets Bills– The cost of initial vaccinations is an expense that a typical ‘breeder’ will take on as part of their costs. Many rescue centres will also offer initial vaccinations now if you are taking a dog. However many times when the dog is ‘free to good home’ the owner will not take on any extra vet expenses, which means you will have to take on the full cost of a series of puppy shots and worming. There will also be the need for some ongoing health checks as well. If you decide to take out pet insurance then some costs may be covered – but not all.
2. Dog Pen/Crate – One of the best ways to handle and train a new puppy is called “Crate Training” or some people refer to it as a cage or pen. You will want to purchase a crate that isn’t too large for the dog; however if the dog is going to grow quickly you can start with a “large or extra-large” sized crate and section off the area you need for their current size. The larger sized crates can be an expensive original purchase but generally will last you for many years. You will also need bedding to go inside the crate – along with some toys.
3. Food – Depending on where you got your puppy from you may want to change over the food they are on – however do this with caution. You should seek the advice of your vet to find out their recommendation for food. Different breeds have various requirements and amounts that they require. Generally speaking you will want to go with a good brand of food that will meet all of the requirements your little puppy needs. Keep in mind the larger the breed, the more food they will require so be prepared for extra-large breeds to have extra-large bags of food on your shopping list!
4. Grooming – This is another area where every breed will be different. Some breeds require an extensive amount of maintenance and grooming. One thing that all dogs will require is having their nails trimmed. You can do this yourself but you need to ask your vet to show you exactly how; as if you trim the nail too closely it can cause injury to the dog. Part of grooming may also include things such as flea control, tick control, and bathing. Most puppies will require a bath when you first get them. Of course you can easily give them a bath with a special puppy shampoo yourself.
5. Spaying/Neutering – As a pet owner it is your responsibility to avoid unwanted pregnancies. You should think very carefully about whether you want to have puppies in the future. Do you have the time? What will you do with them? It might sound really cute to have lots of little puppies running around – but they get big!!!
What other costs have you incurred when getting your new puppy?
