Here's an informative article that I thought I would pass on...hope you find it interesting! –Kim
Long-term Costs Add Up for Dog Ownership
By Jan Larsen for Sun-Times MediaJun 13, 2011
The price of dog ownership varies widely according to breed, size, age and luck. Some veterinarians have estimated owners could spend $20,000 over the life of a dog.
The 2006 National Pet Owners Survey conducted by the American Pet Products Manufacturers Association said the average annual cost of owning a dog is $2,084. (Cat owners pay about $1,318 per year.) Expenses (in dollars) include veterinary care, boarding, grooming, food, treats, toys, training, collars and leashes.
| Product/Service | Low cost | High cost |
| $125 | $700 | |
| Vaccines | $100 | $100 |
| Vet bills | $40 | $500 |
| $0 | $50 | |
| $0 | $500 | |
| $0 | $150 | |
| $20 | $200 | |
| $50 | $100 | |
| $6 | $25 | |
| $0 | $400 | |
| $1 | $25 | |
| $0 | $40 | |
| $5 | $100 | |
| $0 | $500 | |
| TOTALS | $347 | $3,390* |
*Total over the life of a 50-pound, 12-year-old dog in the Midwest
(Editor's Note: I'm pretty sure that prices have gone even higher since the 2006 results above were released. It's something to consider when making decisions about a dog.)
Source: http://couriernews.suntimes.com/news/5894795-417/long-term-costs-add-up-for-dog-ownership.html
Copyright © 2011 — Sun-Times Media, LLC
Also, see: Spending on Pets Rises During Recession
