AIBU to think that pets are a luxury?

[E320]

prompted by a post on another board.
Do people also factor their cost (food, vet's bills, insurance etc.) into the monthly budget or even the weekly shopping (food)?

[MaybeOrnot]

I was going to say,pets and chidren...both luxuries.

[portraitoftheartist]

People can choose what they spend their money on. A cat costs very little, the majority of them have no vaccinations or insurance or cattery costs. You can feed the cheapest food and most will still live a vet-free life for 15 plus years.
A small dog costs a bit more but, again, you can buy the basics or the absolute best. It's up to you.

[HesterShaw]

Ha ha ha would that that were true

[extracrunchy]

They are a luxury in the sense that they incur inessential expenses.

[marriedinwhiteagain]

But here's a big but ............the year before we got our first two boys we had to get Rentokil out twice because rats had gnawed into the house. We live near the river and it is a locational hazard. We still have to have poison trap things laid outside but haven't had a whisper of one indoors - or any mice for that matter. Bear in mind that a Rentokil visit is £270.

[EricBloodaxe]

How do you define luxury? Yes, my dog does need to be fed and does incur the odd vet's bill (so far less than £100 a year) but, she is a totally loved and hugely important part of our family. Because of her we all walk for at least 2 hours on Saturdays and Sundays and other days too when we're on holidays. I also walk her for at least an hour Mon - Fri. Luxury no, exercise machine and mental health provider, yes. :)

[Corygal]

I pay for fat tabby Mr Cory's food. He pays my Rentokil visits, heating at night, and blood pressure pills. I owe him loads of money.

[maninawomansworld]

Yes they are a luxury, if you can't afford them don't have them.

If you fall on hard times and already have a pet that costs a fair whack to keep then it's horrible and much less clear cut than simply getting rid of the pet.

Much like kids really... (apart from the getting rid bit).

[Failedhippy]

yanbu, we have a dog and it has considerate cost implications, for 2 months running we have had a visit to the vet each costing £70, that on top of a decent quality food, pet insurance (the excess is £100 so previous 2 trips not covered), weekly dog classes and a recent home visit from a dog trainer due to a behavioural issue. I would definitely say its my luxury. The children and I would be lost without our dog...DH not so much!

[ThePlatypusAlwaysTriumphs]

I am a vet, and I do think animals, while a great thing to have, are a bit of a luxury item.

Some people have mentioned vet's bills as being "ridiculous", but to be fair, I don't think that's true. The cost of drugs and other aspects of running a surgery (eg heating/ lighting/ water) has risen. I have my own practice and don't make anything like my friends who are lawyers/ bankers/ accountants (I earn about half they do, and work far more hours) I don't really mind- I do my job because I love it, and always have.

But it breaks my heart when I have to euthanase an animal because owners can't afford to treat it. Most times it's not even as though I could treat it and do it for nothing- treating would mean referral for MRI scans etc which cost £££. Other times it is due to behavioural issues that may have been helped/ avoided by consulting a behaviouralist, but owners are unwilling/ unable to spend the time or money required. I often see these owners back with their new puppy the next month.

I know people mean well, but taking on a pet you can't afford is not always the best thing for the animal. You may be stopping it from going to a home where they could afford insurance for that £4000 spinal surgery that would give it another 5 years or so of life. Or where they could afford painkillers to allow it to be pain-free for the last couple of years of its life. Seems to me lots of people take on animals on the basis of what the animal can bring to them, and not thinking about what they can give the animal. And please don't say "love"- love doesn't cure broken legs or rotten purulent teeth!!