Important information for first time dog owners to go through before getting a dog.
So, you are thinking of getting a dog. Good. You must have watched a lot of YouTube videos about dogs, spoken to friends and family, read about popular dogs and shortlisted a couple of breeds that would fit your need.
Great!!
But have you thought about how much it would cost to have a dog? If you haven’t, then keep reading.
I will explain the various expenses that you will incur in the years to come. Having a dog is a huge responsibility. By getting a dog and not spending enough to give him the right kind of physical and metal enrichment, you are doing a great disservice to him.
Before I get into the particulars of the budget, I need to clarify few points.
I have not taken any specific breed to come up with this information. A maxi breed like a Labrador or German shepherd can be bought for anything between Rs. 7000 and Rs. 18,000. A small breed like a Beagle or a Maltese can range between Rs.25,000 and Rs.50,000.
Though the cost of buying a small breed might be high; the recurring cost might be considerably lower. Similarly, the cost of getting a Labrador or a German shepherd might be comparatively low, but the recurring cost will be much higher than with a smaller dog.
Similarly, you can get a dog for as less as Rs. 3000 and it can go to a maximum of Rs. 4,00,000 and maybe even more. Since this is your first dog, I don’t think you will be spending Rs. 4,00,000. Also, I don’t want to get too specific about the different kinds of vaccinations, accessories, feed etc to confuse you even further.
For these reasons, I’ve generalised the topic to a minimum and maximum range for a Maxi breed like a Labrador or Golden Retriever. It will give you a fair idea before you get yourself a dog. Keep in mind that it is possible to find innovative ways to cut costs and give your dog a wholesome life.
So here we go…
Initial Expenses
The initial expense includes the cost of getting the dog, vaccination and basic essentials like a bowl, crate, kennel, bed, leash, collar etc.
Whether you intend to let your dog stay inside your home or not, it is always a good idea to get a cosy kennel. Though there are a lot of cheap ones out there, I always tell my friends to either buy or build a reasonably large kennel (at least 42” x 30” for a maxi size dog) so that your dog feels safe and comfortable. If done well, it will be a one-time expense and you can use it for several years.
A crate will be quite handy during the first 3-6 months of your puppy to help teach basic behaviours and to toilet train. It will also be handy to take your puppy out to protect him during this period as he is prone to catch diseases.
I suggest not to get a bed for at least the first 8 months since there is a good possibility that your dog will see it as a big chew toy. You can make do by sewing a few old towels together or fill an old pillow cover with cloth and use it as a bed.
Initial expense will be as follows:
| Stuff to buy | Minimum Expense | Maximum Expense |
|---|---|---|
| Dog | 8000 | 25,000 |
| Vaccination | 1500 | 3000 |
| Accessories | 2000 (Bowl, Leash, Collar) | 8000 (including Bed) |
| Kennel | 3000 | 20,000 |
| Crate | 400 | 3500 |
Adopting a dog is another option; in which case the cost of getting the dog will be nil. Many adoption centres also offer free vaccination and check-up for life. But you need to be sure that you are getting a dog that has minimal baggage.
Being a first-time dog owner, bringing a dog that is afraid, anxious or aggressive can easily become a very disturbing experience for you, your family and the dog. Whether you decide to adopt or buy, the most important decision is choosing the right adoption centre or breeder, respectively.
Training Expenses
Most first-time dog owners prefer to get a trainer to teach the dog basic commands. This is entirely up to you to decide. It can give you a great opportunity to watch and observe. If you do find a good trainer, then I suggest you involve yourself in the process and make it a routine for at least 6 – 12 months.
| Stuff to buy | Minimum Expense | Maximum Expense |
|---|---|---|
| Dog Training | 12,000 | 36,000 |
Recurring expenses
The recurring expense includes food, treats, grooming, toys, accessories, yearly vaccines, check-up and deworming. Ill-informed first-time dog owners feed kitchen scraps and leftovers to their dogs. This should be completely avoided.
I’ve seen some owners feed their dogs fried fish, coffee and even alcohol. If you cannot feed appropriate food to your dog, then I suggest you drop the idea of getting a dog this very moment. The least you can do is get a good quality dry food.
The most economical dry dog food will cost around Rs. 2000. Some of the best dry food will cost around Rs. 8000.
Indicative Food Expense Calculation
An adult Labrador or a German Shepherd will need 350g – 400g per day
400g x 30 days – 12 kg per month
11 kg Pedigree Chicken and vegetable dog food, for example, costs Rs. 2000
12 kg Royal Canin Maxi dog food, for example, costs Rs. 7800
(This is just to indicate the cost of couple of popular brands. I do not recommend these brands)
If you decide to feed any of the above-mentioned brands, then your cost for a year will be as follows
Minimum Expense: Rs. 2000 x 12 Months – Rs. 24,000
Maximum Expense: Rs. 7800 x 12 Months – Rs. 93,600
If you decide to stick to the same or similar quality of food, then your expense during your dog’s lifetime (approximately, 13 years) will be as follows: Total Expense Range: Rs. 3,12,000 – Rs. 12,16,800
Treats are another important aspect for your dog’s well-being. I use treats mostly while training and during walks. The role of treats cannot be overlooked while teaching your dog to stay focused on you.
The most economical dog treat will cost around Rs. 100 per kilogram. Some of the best dog treat will cost you Rs. 1000 per kilogram. I have found that 1-2 kilograms per month is enough for most large breeds.
The grooming expense can vary greatly depending on the kind of dog you have. A golden retriever or a Lhasa Apso are high maintenance breeds and you can easily spend a few thousands on grooming each month. A Doberman or a Labrador are fairly low maintenance and might not burn a big hole in your pocket.
A shampoo bath, nail clipping, teeth and ear cleaning will cost you at least Rs. 500 at a dog spa. If your dog has fleas, ticks or skin issue, then he may need a tick bath or a medicated bath. If he has long coat, then he may require trimming. This can totally cost anywhere between Rs. 600 – Rs. 1200 at a pet spa.
Your dog will need a bath every 10- 15 days depending upon his activity level.
You can always give him a bath at home. This will greatly reduce your spending to a minimum of Rs. 100-150 per bath.
TOTAL Recurring expenses
| Stuff to buy | Minimum Expense | Maximum Expense |
|---|---|---|
| Food | 3,12,000 | 12,16,000 |
| Treats | 30,000 | 3,00,000 |
| Grooming | 46,800 | 6,24,000 |
| Toys & Accessories | 39,000 | 60,000 |
| Yearly Vaccination | 20,000 | 39,000 |
Exclusion: I have excluded few expenses like boarding, travel, spaying/ neutering, emergency and damages caused by the dog. Mainly because it is hard to determine the cost and it can drastically vary from one dog to another.
All things considered the minimum and maximum range for owning a dog will be as follows:
| Minimum Expense | Maximum Expense |
|---|---|
| Rs. 4,74,700 | Rs. 23,34,500 |
Conclusion
The above-mentioned figure is indicative of how much you will need. It is quite possible to lose sight of the extent of your expenses since we usually spend a little at a time.
I am sure some of you might be second guessing your decision to get a dog. My intention for writing this post is only to get you prepared. You can always reduce the expenses by coming up with innovative ways of making healthy, breed appropriate food and treats at home, DIY toys, home grooming and so on. I have loads of ideas to bring down this expense so that everyone can give their dog a happy and healthy life
