How much does owning a dog cost?

[MeadowHay]

We are dithering about rescuing a pup, we need to make the decision quickly, one of the things worrying us is the cost. The pup is a 4 month old lurcher, roughly how much would it cost a month, as well as initial costs, anyone want to help me out??

So initial costs I've thought of:

• Collar
• Lead
• Harness possibly
• Coat - would it need more than one coat? And how many jumpers for indoors would it need as I know lurchers feel the cold?
• Crate
• Bed?
• Blanket?
• Toys - how many would they need to start with? A kong, a chew toy, a teddy, and a ball?
• Poo bags
• Something to clean up accidents with as I've read there is specific stuff you need to use to erase the smell?
• Shampoo
• Food bowl
• Water bowl + a collapsable water bowl to take out and about
• A brush
• Puppy training classes
• Third set of vaccs.

That's all I can think of. + Cost of neutering a bit later down the line. I don't know how much any of these things cost but I can have a look at pets at home I guess.

Then ongoing costs:

• Insurance
• Food
• Treats
• Toys, and replacing bedding etc

Any estimates for me?

We're one of the few who don't have dog insurance. I'm not recommending it, it was just the right decision for us as we rescued adults that came with known health complications and insurance plans seemed like a waste under the circumstances given that we were in the position of being able to set aside a substantial amount of money into savings for them. So, that said, in the last 12 months we spent £2,500 (one was often sick and the other wasn't so it can't be divided per dog). That includes food, vet costs including monthly worming stuff and annual and 6 monthly things, dog walking, house sitting when on holiday... anything else but can't think what that might have been. Ours are medium sized dogs.

Things that I didn't financially account for when I got my dog:

• that he'd develop a condition that means he needed an expensive, prescription diet for life,
• that I'd change my job and need a dog walker at £10 an hour. Just because you don't now, doesn't mean that things won't change over the course of your dog's lifetime (10 - 15 years)
• that I'd become unwell and less able to care for my dog and therefore, need extra paid dog walks.
• that he'd eat everything known to man and get ill from it and need regular vet appointments. Most insurance polices have an excess per condition and mine is £100 per each condition per year.

I love my dog and would promote dog ownership but it's naive to assume that your life won't change and your work and lifestyle patterns won't change and this will affect your dog.

Another thing to add, when we moved house, we spent £500+ (that we didn't really have) to ensure the garden was fully secure for the dog. At the time of getting our dog, we had no intention of moving.

A lot more than you expect! Our main outgoings are vet bills, decent food, decent treats for training, training itself. Also factor in beds! As puppies they chewed beds and if/when they are ill, I have thrown away vet bed rather than put it through washing machine.

There are also lots of little things - balls, throwers, portable water bowls, crates to travel, day care if you go out for the day, holiday costs.

Expensive, but worth it

Vets bill are the devil... one of mine has cost over £5000 in vets bills from May to November last year. Insurance premium now a whopping £107 a month. But saying that I can afford hundred quid over a few thousand in one go!
Second is decent food, lots of websites offering dog food reviews and some great foods out there.
Then I guess all the various accessories. I'd say on average we spend £300 a month on our two good job I love them!