A New Dog for Christmas? Carefully Consider the Costs

by Gary Foreman

Consider these pet care costs before getting a dog. Too many do it the other way around and find they can’t afford the pet they love.

Dear Dollar Stretcher,
We’re thinking of getting a dog for our kids this Christmas, but I’m concerned about the extra expense. Some months, I can barely cover our bills.

Is there any way to tell how much we’d need to spend by adding a four-legged member to our family? And, are there ways to keep the costs to a minimum?
MaryLouise

You’re wise to consider pet care costs before you emotionally commit to a pet. 

According to the ASPCA, if you consider the cost of acquiring Fido plus the monthly costs, you can expect to spend up to $3,221 in the first year and then about $1,400 annually.  Visit TheSprucePets.com for a list of all the many costs that can be associated with owning a dog to determine if you might be spending on the low end of $1,500 or the high end of $9,900.

You first must decide whether to go to a breeder or rescue a dog from a family or shelter that’s looking to place it. Naturally, the breeder will be more expensive but will give you more control over the age and breed.

Once you get Fido home, you’ll need to arrange for shots, if the dog is due for them. Call around. Not only to vets in your town or city but to rural vets and pet shelters, too. You’ll find a wide variety of prices.

Next, you’ll want to make your home and yard pet-safe just like you would for a child. That could be as simple as buying and adding cabinet safety latches. It also might mean adding a fence to your backyard. Obviously, the costs can vary considerably. You’ll need to survey your property and estimate how big a project you’re facing.

Dog food can be a major expense, especially for larger breeds. The temptation will be to buy cheap dog food, but you don’t want to cut corners that would put Fido’s health at risk. Not only would that be cruel, but it could be expensive, too. A bad diet can lead to expensive vet or pet ER trips.

That doesn’t mean that you have to buy expensive brands. Use the same common sense you employ when buying groceries for your family. You want a balanced diet. By reading labels and consulting with your vet, you should be able to strike a reasonable balance.

• 5 Ways To Save on Dog Food
• Affordable Homemade Dog Food Recipes and Tips

Treats are another potential drain on your wallet. Part of the joy of bringing Fido into the family is rewarding him with treats. The people who market pet products know this well. They know we like to give treats, and because they are treats, they know we expect them to be more expensive than regular pet food. Therefore, manufacturers package treats for premium pricing.

It’s good for us that Fido can’t read the packaging. Anything that Fido associates as a treat will work. It could just be a different brand of dog food that’s only used as a treat, homemade dog biscuits, or even a little human food that you’ve verified is safe for your breed.

You’ll need a place for Fido to sleep. Pet stores will be happy to sell you expensive doggie beds. Depending on your pick, you could spend $100 or more, but that’s not necessary.

If you shop for dog beds, you’ll notice two types. One consists of a thin soft pad with the edges raised and filled with some type of padding. You can easily duplicate this by taking an old bath towel or blanket and rolling up the edges. Sew the rolled edges so they hold their shape.

The second style imitates a cave. Dogs like enclosed areas. If you’ll be buying a travel crate, they can do double duty. If you’re really on a tight budget, something as simple as a sturdy box with a hole cut in one side with an old blanket inside will work fine, too.

Your new family member will want to play; like your children, dogs often prefer the simplest toys. You can pretty much make all the toys that he’ll ever need or want. Old socks, shirts, and towels are an excellent starting point. Fido just wants something to chew on, and if you can have a tug-of-war with him over the toy, he’ll be a happy puppy.

Dog grooming can be as expensive as a trip to the beauty parlor. You can do many dog grooming tasks yourself, especially if Fido gets used to it as a puppy. He may fight it for a while, but your persistence pays off.

Unless Fido is a strictly indoor pet, you’ll need to routinely use flea and tick prevention. Don’t skimp here. Cleaning an infestation of your home far outstrips the cost of preventing it.

And, finally, be prepared for pet “accidents” in your home. There are many products available. You’ll find some methods for removing pet urine odors here.

Hopefully, you’ll be able to add the necessary expenses to your existing budget, but if not, it’s better to know that now, before your family grows to love a dog they’ll have to give up.

• The Unexpected Costs of Dog Ownership
• Reduce the Cost of Pet Healthcare
• Simple Ways To Find Extra Money To Spend On Your Pet
• The Many Ways a Pet Can Save You Money

Reviewed November 2023

About the Author

Gary Foreman is the former owner and editor of The Dollar Stretcher. He's the author of How to Conquer Debt No Matter How Much You Have and has been featured in MSN Money, Yahoo Finance, Fox Business, The Nightly Business Report, US News Money, Credit.com and CreditCards.com.