[sensualspirit]

Hi all,

Seems like most people don't get their questions answered on here, but I'll try anyway.

I haven't owned a dog since 1990 & back then I had money so it wasn't a problem. Now I'm considering getting a med or large dog & I'm on a very tight tight budget, so I'm wondering how much it costs (on average) for food.

I wouldn't go low end, more on the holistic side as far as food goes.

I'm not sure what kind of dog I want to get, I'll probably get one from the pound.

Thank you


Michelle

[Lunareclipse]

I couldn't be much help here because we have Saint Bernards. We spend $120.00 a month on dog food. It's $150.00 a month for flea medication. For shots it's about $150.00 a year. And you have to take into account if your dog has some kind of accident (falls off the porch and breaks a leg) or does something stupid ( eats a large stick) and has to go the vet. And you have to consider and unforseen health problems your dog might develop later on in life. One of our saints has severe hip dysplasia and it cost $900.00 for x-rays and $60.00 a month for her medication. We got another at a shelter that was dropped off because she has epilepsy. I'd like to beat the previous owner for doing that. They wouldn't do that to their kids I bet. But it costs $70.00 a year for her tests and $30.00 a month for her seizure medication. Adopting a dog from a shelter is a great idea. The majority of dogs from shelters are already fixed, so that would be one less cost to worry about. We feed Diamond dog food to our dogs. It's one that we can afford that doesn't give Luna seizures. It is also affordable. It is not the best food out there, but it is the best for what we can afford. If you have a tight budget, a large breed might not be the best. Vet bills cost a lot more. Flea medication costs more. Food costs more. Medium might be better for your budget? I don't know. I have no idea how much a month extra you have to spend on a pooch. When you get your dog, you'll have to post it on here. We want to see.

[Lara's mom]

Along with food and medical expenses, there is also collars, leashes, toys and for some breeds, winter coats and boots. My little shorty Jack has a more up-to-date wardrobe than I do!!! She gets cold easily. My Border Collie only needs a rain coat and a winter coat.

[sensualspirit]

Thanks Luna,

I don't think that large is what I was going for LOL, so I guess I have to rephrase to just under large. In between med. & large.


Michelle

[lange]

It really depends on the brand you buy.

My Lhasax is the least expensive dog I've ever had, I consider him small. His food averages to $20-25 a month. He hasn't had health issues so only the basic vet care & neutering. Because of his fur he does need to go to groomers (I'm lousy with clippers) but that's only 2-3 times a year for his cuts.

My Akita pup who will be large, is already well surpassing him in dog food. She's under 5 months. I got her in August and have spent well over a thousand so far. But that includes all the vet visits, immunizations, AB, flea, heartworm, grooming supplies, bowls, toys, treats, extra large crate, bed, leash, 2 collars, urine cleaner, puppy class... you get the idea. There should now be a lull in cost since the start up is pretty much done.

If my memory serves me, my old 70lb dog used to cost about $80 a month & that was crappy dog food. I wasn't in the 'know' back then..

I also agree with Luna. Small is definitely cheaper on many aspects, not just food. Like she mentioned health issues cost more, the size of the dog impact the dose of drugs, flea med, heartworm, anesthesia,ect. dog groomers charge more. Supplies are more costly. Even shampoo since you go through it so fast.

If you're interested, I currently feed Chicken Noodle Soup For The Dog Lovers Soul. It's one of the FEW better quality foods I researched that wasn't high priced. It can be hard to find so you would need to look around. They carry puppy & big breed too.

[Lunareclipse]

Originally Posted by sensualspirit

Thanks Luna,

I don't think that large is what I was going for LOL, so I guess I have to rephrase to just under large. In between med. & large.


Michelle

About the size of a lab?

[sensualspirit]

LOL, that's funny. I can't believe they came out with a line of dog food named after the book series.

Well I don't have a breed in mind since I was going to go to the pound & see what they have, but yes, around the size of a lab is probably best for me. 2 small dogs we had never seemed to bond with me until I finally came to the conclusion I'm just a big dog gal.

I may look on Kijiji to see b/c some people give away their dogs.

Mind you not knowing the health is an issue.

Do people have to keep vet records now so if they sell the dog you know it's history?

Thanks


Michelle

[Lunareclipse]

I keep all of my vet records. I never plan on selling my dog, but if anything ever happened to me and I am unable to care for them anymore, the next owners would have a full vet history of my pooches.

[angiesample]

My dog is 24 lbs so i think shes right on the edge between small and medium depending on who i ask. I spend about $50 on food a month and probably $20 on cookies/greenies every month. Also i am extremely anal about heartworm preventative... which costs $18 a month for my Ella. Now that my Ella is a year old I am only having to take her to the vet once a year, which cost abour $150. If u get a puppy though they have to get a lot of boosters and shots as well as spay/neutered.

Also dont forget u will want to get toys, collars, food bowls, leashes, bed.... those extra items that dont necessarily cost a ton individully but when u add it together it cost quite a bit. Honestly between all the shots, booster, spay, food, toys, and collars (i have a collar obsession i probably spent close to $1300 in the first year of my Ella's life. But I know i could have spent less if i had needed to.

You may also want to start an "emergency fund" for ur dog. For accidents that u can never plan for. We have this and we put a little bit in each month, we start this when we got her and i must say it is a real comfort to know we have money saved up for the just in case.

I always keep all of my Ella's records she has her own little file in our filing cabinet. Whenever we travel i always carry this book that my vet gave me that has everything he has ever done with her in it.. So anyone could see shes up to date on her shots, spayed, and microchipped.

Do u know where u will be getting ur dog? Any breed ideas? Check out ur local shelters. They will come fully vaccinated and spayed/neutered as well. Good luck and keep us up to date!!

[harley_quinn]

Dogs can get pretty expensive, and the cost adds up. I wasn't the one who wanted to get a dog because I wanted to wait until I could give them the care they deserved. I'm a student, so I wasn't sure if getting a dog would be the best idea. My bf on the other hand, he was immature about the whole situation and because of his begging, we adopted our pug from an owner. Turns out I was right to be apprehensive about getting a dog. Even though I love my pug and would do anything for her, she is expensive for someone with a student budget. My boyfriend since we got her has only paid the pet deposit at our apartment, which came out to $350 which I believe he gets back, or part of it, when we move out. The cost of her was around $75, originally $100, but we had to drive some distance. She was already fixed and up to date on shots, luckily. I paid $100 to get her because I even paid for gas. That evening I went to Walmart and spent the rest of the money in my pocket, $35, on a cheap leash, harness, food bowl, shampoo, and brush. Then I found out she was not up to date on heartworm preventive. So I took her to the vet on low cost immunization day, it was $25 even for Heartgard and I believe $21 for the test to get the prescription. And then the first week I bought her a bag of dog food for $16 (Premium Edge) that lasted about a month. As far as food goes, I hope to not spend more than $25 a month. We got her on August 8th and since then she's gone through three bags.She had an anal gland problem a couple of weeks ago and I took her to the vet. It was $100 out of my pocket for exam, eye ointment, and anal gland squeezing. Then there are the costs of a sweater because of the cold, jacket, booties, retractable leash, litter box (does not get used ), bed, shampoo, and treats. My Harley is a pug, so it's a good thing she's small enough to get the more affordable of things when it comes to food and stuff like medication that costs more for big dogs. When you get a dog, you have to expect the unexpected. They will need to go to the vet, they will need things you didn't expect in the beginning, and you're the one who will have to pay for it. When we first got my dog, my bf said, "You only pay $20 a month for food, that's nothing! We can afford it." I knew then what I know now, that he was wrong. I can afford it because I make sacrifices, and that's because I love my dog. Consider everything to cost more, because you can't predict the future and as a good dog owner, one owes it to their dog to be prepared for the costs.

[sensualspirit]

Thanks & yes I know animals can be expensive. I remember back from the days I had one.

No idea about the breed. I see some people are giving their dogs away, so that may be an option.


Michelle

[harley_quinn]

Yeah, my mom is trying to give her dog away to a good home, but hasn't found one that she trusts. So it's not too hard to find a dog that is free to a good home.

[angiesample]

just remember if they come from a shelter they will most likely be up to date with shots and spayed/neutered... i know at the humane society i volunteer at for a dog its $85.. thats a really good deal considering there fixed and up to date on shots.

[sensualspirit]

I haven't checked the prices at the humane society here, but I'm not sure I want a dog with all those shots already screwing up their immune system.

I'm still learning about why they need that in the first place since I'm a holistic spiritually conscious person.

It's funny, the people who have the dogs for sale & for free all have the same breeds. I find that strange.

Thanks


Michelle

[harley_quinn]

Very true, that was my original plan to adopt from a shelter, but then we found a pug who was being re-homed. I called her vet and got her records faxed to me, and she was up to date and spayed. I HIGHLY recommend going to a shelter first and adopting from one. My next dog (not for a while, after I graduate college) will definitely be from a shelter or rescue. They usually take care of everything the dogs needs before they're adopted and let you know what further care they need from you.

[Yogi]

Originally Posted by sensualspirit

I haven't checked the prices at the humane society here, but I'm not sure I want a dog with all those shots already screwing up their immune system.

I'm still learning about why they need that in the first place since I'm a holistic spiritually conscious person.

It's funny, the people who have the dogs for sale & for free all have the same breeds. I find that strange.

Thanks


Michelle

It is not that strange when you consider how many people yearly purchase a breed that does not fit their lifestyle thus realize after the fact instead of taking the time to research the breed first. This is why as a breeder I have turned down many people wanting a breed I specialize in. A dog is not just a dog. They are not all the same but unfortunately people buy fashion not with common sense. They buy based on size instead of realizing size is of no consequence when the reality sets in later.
As for shots, you may be a holistic person but unfortunately dogs are not. They are subject to disease and illness. Though I am not a proponent for yearly or every other year rabies vaccinations, lepto and parvo are issues that holistically you cannot control. These do not play excessively on a dogs immune system where rabies does.

[angiesample]

if u are interested in going in a more natural direction when it comes to immunization i would post a thread on the forum asking ppls opinions. There are several dog owners who choose the natural direction for there dogs especially for flea prevention. I do keep my dog up to date on her immunizations but my dog and i r really into agility training and we recently had our first training with a volunteer K9 unit so it is required. Two things i personally wouldnt risk with natural remedies is rabies and heartworm. But i have personally seen dogs with heartworm, and i've seen 4 dogs who didnt even make it through the 1st dose of meds bc they literally have to put poison in the dogs to kill the heartworm... its just not something i would take the chance on.

No matter what u decide make sure u talk to ur vet and also do ur own research.

[sensualspirit]

I am continuing to research & will form my own opinion, so thank you for all of yours.

I just always felt dogs in a shelter have been abused, have deep emotional & sometimes physical problems.

So far I've found labs. I am going to start another thread on what they are like, but I vaguely remember wanting a lab after reading a whole slew of fiction books with a lab in them. I think it was a lab, I can't remember 100% now.

If you know anything about black labs, pls. let me know.

Thanks


Michelle

[angiesample]

My father in law raises Black labs from 12 weeks old to 2 years old he trains them as therapy dogs for everything but blindness... they are AMAZING dogs!! Incredible smart!! They needs lots of training though and a lot of exercise. They are great family dogs.

[Yogi]

To one degree or another, most rescues come with baggage. Part of dog ownership is being understanding and patient. No different that a foster child going from home to home never knowing if this is where he will live or be passed on again. Bonding takes more time in many cases with a rescue but the rewards greatly outweigh the time it takes.