Affording a 2nd dog

[WentworthPrison]

I'm so disappointed that I can't afford a 2nd dog. My 1 year old dog would adore a friend as she absolutely loves other dogs. Is there something I haven't thought of?
I need a dog walker twice a day in the week as I work long hours. It costs £95 per week/£380 per month for dog walking alone for 1 dog. This would be half price for a second dog but that would still be £570 per month for 2 dogs . Then there's the double vet bills, double insurance, double food costs, double treat costs, double grooming costs etc.

I'd love a 2nd but it's looking impossible. I have family who could do occasional dog care and care if the dogs were ill etc but they can't do it regularly.

Could you not just reduce the dog Walker to once a day. Presumably the two dogs could play with each other for company?

And give the less treats.

I’d love a second dog but I can’t afford it. My dog costs over £70 a month in insurance, then there’s food, vet bills, training on top of that. Never mind a dog walker!

A visit by dog walker to let dogs into garden for a leg stretch & toilet was much cheaper option when I had multiples. My dogs didn't really need the exercise to settle though.

Depending on home situation you could perhaps consider fostering for a rescue as they usually cover bills, some dogs are kept on as long term fosters perhaps due to a health conditon making adoption unlikely.

If don't already could fulfill by finding her some dog friends can meet up regularly with for walks & play sessions as other people are often in same boat. It's not quite same but would allow you to fully concentrate on your youngster and social dogs don't always want to share their home/owner.

From experience with 2 you may find that it's more tricky to take them places and people who were ok with 1 visiting or offering help can change mind with an extra.

I've always had multiple dogs and agree insurance is a killer now and having a bearing on my choice of future dog. I fork out on a decent policy so hopefully the vet bills aren't so bad further on.
I get meds, wormers from online pharmacy's, I don't routinely treat my dogs for fleas/ticks only as rare we get any. Food and treats its £40p/m to feed 2 x30kg dogs a decent quality food but if I only had 1 I'd probably still spend that or more on something fancy. Short haired hounds so no grooming costs.

The hardest part for me is not spending out on unnecessary things you don't really need, I much prefer shopping for dog stuff than clothes for me.

I feel the same. Would love a 2nd but two lots of daycare costs are sadly prohibitive.

If you can't afford it, you can't afford it.

Your dog will be perfectly happy with the dogs she meets when with the walker, and when out and about with you.

How long are you leaving your dog if you need twice-daily visits from a walker?

Surely that wouldn't be practical for a young puppy anyway?

For me the second insurance costs are the worst. This years increase has been astronomical.
Dog1 has steadily risen.
Dog2 has also gone up £20 without claims!
Dog3 who is only a year old is £30 more than dog1

Basically a second mortgage.

Stick with one!

Worming and flea treatments expensive also. You can't afford it and you're sensible to know your limitations.

@3ormoredogs this is my bugbear. Dog is six and has never been ill in his life and yet his insurance is more than twice what it was. Surely premiums are meant to go down not up?

[quote MsAdoraBelleDearheartVonLipwig]@3ormoredogs this is my bugbear. Dog is six and has never been ill in his life and yet his insurance is more than twice what it was. Surely premiums are meant to go down not up?[/quote]
Why would they go down? Older dogs are more likely to get ill. It will keep going up!

You can borrow some of mine for playdates op!! I live up northish!!

[quote MsAdoraBelleDearheartVonLipwig]@3ormoredogs this is my bugbear. Dog is six and has never been ill in his life and yet his insurance is more than twice what it was. Surely premiums are meant to go down not up?[/quote]
It's the opposite - premiums are based on risk, and sadly, the older a dog gets, the more likely they are to get unwell.

Yes I suppose so. I remember when car insurance premiums went down the longer you had insurance with the same company and they seem to go up now too.

It won’t help with affording another dog but can’t you put your dog in day care instead of a dog Walker? It would be about the same cost as two walks, he’d still get his walks at daycare and he wouldn’t be alone for so much time all week long. I pay £20 a day two days a weeks and he goes there from 8am to 6pm.