How much is that puppy in the window?
Hope everyone is doing well 
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Ok, rather than continue to hijack another thread, thought I'd start up a new one. [ also adding to the forums library of information ]
I think this thread could help us upcoming first time puppy / dog owners & those of us who have never had to be financially responsible for a dog.
I'd really like to see some financial estimates so we can show the readers & members of this awesome forum just how much raising a pup really costs.
So! Here's a list, & I'd appreciate if anyone would kindly give a general estimate of how much each set of supplies would cost for the first 6 months of having the puppy. Feel free to add any supplies to it, since I'm pretty sure I've missed a lot of stuff!
Also, let's try to keep it realistic. As much as some of us would love to save up $25,000 for a dog, I don't think that's very reasonable
o1. Toys - Kongs, Rope Toys, Nylabones, Stuffed Critters, Tennis Balls, etc.
o2. Food - What the pup will eat! Let's say 5 or 6 star brand kibble.
o3. Vet Bills - spay / neuter, shots, deworming, check-ups, etc.
o4. Emergency Funds - Just in case of emergency...
o5. Housing - Crates, beds, x-pens, etc.
o6. Hygiene Supplies - Brushes, Nail Clippers, Shampoo, Toothpaste, nature's miracle, etc.
o7. Miscellaneous Supplies - Collars, Leashes, Harnesses, Treats, Bitter Apple, etc.
--. Total: Estimated Total cost.
[ note; just want a general estimate for each item in bold, the text that follows is to give examples of what that category would entail ]
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I really want to have something like this as personally, I'd like to have about 90% saved up by the time I put my deposit down. [ on most of the stuff, obviously I'm not going to buy 6 months of food in advance ]
Also, I really want to put something like this on my Nihon Ken Information site to inform first time dog owners just how much the cost of dog or puppy really is.
Note: I've left out the actual cost of the pup as this varies by nihon ken breed & breeder, but I think anywhere from $1500 - $3500+ is a good guess. Rescues are still an option as well.
Thanks so much guys! This would really be a huge help to me! ~
---
Ok, rather than continue to hijack another thread, thought I'd start up a new one. [ also adding to the forums library of information ]
I think this thread could help us upcoming first time puppy / dog owners & those of us who have never had to be financially responsible for a dog.
I'd really like to see some financial estimates so we can show the readers & members of this awesome forum just how much raising a pup really costs.
So! Here's a list, & I'd appreciate if anyone would kindly give a general estimate of how much each set of supplies would cost for the first 6 months of having the puppy. Feel free to add any supplies to it, since I'm pretty sure I've missed a lot of stuff!
Also, let's try to keep it realistic. As much as some of us would love to save up $25,000 for a dog, I don't think that's very reasonable
o1. Toys - Kongs, Rope Toys, Nylabones, Stuffed Critters, Tennis Balls, etc.
o2. Food - What the pup will eat!
Let's say 5 or 6 star brand kibble.o3. Vet Bills - spay / neuter, shots, deworming, check-ups, etc.
o4. Emergency Funds - Just in case of emergency...
o5. Housing - Crates, beds, x-pens, etc.
o6. Hygiene Supplies - Brushes, Nail Clippers, Shampoo, Toothpaste, nature's miracle, etc.
o7. Miscellaneous Supplies - Collars, Leashes, Harnesses, Treats, Bitter Apple, etc.
--. Total: Estimated Total cost.
[ note; just want a general estimate for each item in bold, the text that follows is to give examples of what that category would entail ]
---
I really want to have something like this as personally, I'd like to have about 90% saved up by the time I put my deposit down. [ on most of the stuff, obviously I'm not going to buy 6 months of food in advance
] Also, I really want to put something like this on my Nihon Ken Information site to inform first time dog owners just how much the cost of dog or puppy really is.
Note: I've left out the actual cost of the pup as this varies by nihon ken breed & breeder, but I think anywhere from $1500 - $3500+ is a good guess. Rescues are still an option as well.
Thanks so much guys! This would really be a huge help to me!
~
Comments
Ah...if only I hadn't bought that mac & slr...& all the accessories that go with them...I'd be up to $5000+
I still have more to buy (clippers, transport kennel, better food, toothpaste, pen) and the vet check is coming up...
if you wait 6 months I can start itemizing everything right now and get back to you
shoot me an email if you think you want me to do that
ps. its worth it and tennis balls are free :)
As it stands I'm at $2200 with a 13 week-old puppy and now I'm also looking into a behaviorist or possibly doggie day care.
Pet Insurance and/or Vet offices that take Care Credit helps ease the pain.
Jesse
Yea, I don't like to think about it.
I keep a binder for each animal I have. So Fiskars, Mia, Lynxiene and Shoushuu all have one.
These binders contain:
- Every vet visit
- Pedigrees (if they have one, cats don't, they are mixed)
- Scorebooks (needed for trials)
- Certificates
- Registrations
- X-ray results & CD of actual x-rays
- and so forth
* I'm usually able to cut medical costs by purchasing viles of vaccines myself (separately they are about $7 each, cheaper in bulk). I then have someone else experienced inject the vaccine. I only do puppy shots at the vet then boosters I do on my own. Eventually I will do them myself, but I'm still learning.
* Spaying/Neutering, you should never have to pay outrageous prices. To me even $60 is too much. It's not so easy in a remote area, but in more populated areas there are many places to go for reasonable prices. Check out each one though, usually they will run special clinics for this. Sometimes, even for free. Generally, you can find a good surgeon who can perform the same surgery procedure for $35 rather then $600. Average cost I find for this is under $200, at least in California.
* X-rays hips/elbows/patellas and eye certs, again I wait until vets run special clinics. They were meant for breeders with multiple dogs <-- to encourage x-ray on hips/elbows. It doesn't matter though who you are or if you are breeding or not, you can still go and get your dog checked out. You do have to sign up for this in advanced and make an appointment. The dog goes under x-ray WITHOUT sedation or use of any other drug.
* Crates you can find on special sales <-- I would suggest looking around and then purchasing one now that is on sale. Or get involved with a dog buddy who has so many crates laying around they just don't know what to do with them all! lol.
For Shikoku, 400 Large Vari-kennel is best, you could probably even get a 300 Intermeditate. They are pretty expensive now, but I've gotten a 400 "on sale" for $109.00 at the pet store (I've also paid the same price for a 500 Extra-large). Wire crates (36x24x27) should run about $40-$75.
I'll get an actual cost for my dogs and equipment <--- I've got extras though.
So far, Fiskars has cost the most with $1,400 for emergency vet costs.
------> It is possible she got ran over by a car (but she came back home when I called her, even with her condition). She was 2 years of age then, she is 10 years currently. All her organs were jammed in her diaphragm. Obviously everything went well, it was a 50%/50% chance of survival during the 3 A.M. surgery though. It wasn't very noticable from the outside. I just saw a very tiny bit of blood on the outside, but she had MAJOR trouble breathing. My dad drove from Riverside to Orange County (43 miles) just to take her to the hospital at around 11 pm. He paid for everything, thank goodness, I was only 15 at the time. I expect this cat to outlive my current dogs! lol.
Shoushuu the 2nd most costly with a measely $300 for x-rays and meds from a partial obstruction as a pup.
- BUT I have to say - spay/neuter - I think $150 is a happy medium, I've payed more for spays (about $200) and $120 for neuters. I don't think anyone could find a decent and furthermore reputable surgeon for much less anymore.
As a general rule, we keep about $2000 in our puppy savings account for emergencies. I know that some emergencies will be more costly, but what we have is a good start. So I would suggest anyone who is thinking of purchasing a puppy have this "untouchable" reserve before they bring their dog home.
A dog is a lifetime commitment, and during that lifetime, you will pay thousands upon thousands of dollars to help keep him or her healthy, happy, and well adjusted. But remember, you can not put a price tag on the joy and companionship that your dog will bring to you throughout his or her lifetime. My dogs are worth more to me than all the money in the world.
I don't want to add up how much I spent ;P, all I know is they joy they bring me is worth Millions!
Corina, Thanks! Also, I had no idea what shikoku sized crate I should get so that was helpful!
But...what if I have my Shika shipped to me? Then do I buy a crate, send it to Katja....lol So confusing.~
Thanks,
Jesse
She makes it really easy, don't worry.
It'll be a year, but I still get panicked & excited lol~