Getting a pet
The truth about cats and dogs
Adding a
furry friend to your life can give you companionship, love and
exercise but animals can be costly to care for properly. Before you
take on a pet, you should factor them into your budget. Here are
some of the things you will need to pay for to keep your pet
healthy and happy.
The cost
of owning a pet
The cost of owning a dog over its lifetime can be up to $25,000
(Source:
BankWest Family Pooch Index). Cats cost slightly less but also
live longer than dogs, so they set owners back around the same
amount.
If you are getting a new pet, the cost will vary according
to the breed and age of the animal. Ongoing costs can also vary a
lot depending on whether your pet is big or small, if they have
ongoing health issues, and if you choose to take out pet
insurance.
Add up the weekly costs of your pet and then put them in your
budget
Budget planner
Cost of a pet
Did you know the average dog costs more than $1,400 per year?
The cost of
a pet infographic explores the average cost of pet ownership
and pet insurance in Australia.
Expenses for a new
pet
Here are some of the expenses you might be paying when you get a
new pet. We estimate the total costs for a domestic pet in the
first year to be between $3,000 to $6,000, not including unexpected
health problems. This is only a guide and you should do your own
research.
Pet expenses checklist
| Item |
Cost |
| Buying the cat or dog - depends on the breed
and where you get it from |
From $200 to $3,500 plus |
| Vet expenses - microchipping,
vaccination, de-sexing, vet check ups, unexpected costs like
accidents and health issues |
Up to $1,000 in first year, then about $450 every year after
|
|
Health expenses - flea, tick, worming
|
Between $300-450 each year, depending on your
pet's size |
| Pet food - wet food, dry food and treats |
About $800 per year for premium dog food, PLUS
treats |
| Accessories - collar, harness, leash, car
restraint, winter coats, bowls for food and water, kennels and
beds, toys, toilet mats and kitty litter, scratching posts |
Up to $500 initially to set up, then about $100
per year |
| Other services - obedience training, grooming,
dog walking, boarding fees, local council registration |
Ring around or check local services but council registration
fees can cost between $30-$190 per year
|
| Pet insurance |
Between $20-$60 per month, per pet |
|
Estimate of total costs for the first year: $3,000
to $6,000 (not including unexpected health problems)
|
Weighing up the cost of pet insurance
Pet insurance can help cover the cost if your pet is sick
or injured and needs veterinary care. The cost of pet
insurance will depend on your pets' size, age and other factors.
There will also be an excess to pay on most claims, so get quotes
from different providers on the costs for the level of cover you
would like.
Pet insurance is optional and you'll need to work out if the
cost of the insurance premium is worth the
coverage you'll get. Be sure to check the claim process, excess gap
cost, and the exclusions before
you sign up. For more information see pet insurance.
Case study: Sarah gets a new puppy
Sarah
had her heart set on owning her first puppy and wanted to make sure
she could afford to have a dog. She started by calling her local
vet to find out how much it cost to vaccinate, de-sex and microchip
a dog.
Next Sarah visited her local pet shop to find out the costs of
pet foods, flea and worming treatments, and accessories for her pet
including a bed, collar and lead, and chew toys. She also looked
into the cost of dog obedience classes. Finally, Sarah called her
local council to find out the registration fees for a dog in her
area.
In the end the costs added up to a lot more than Sarah thought
they would, so she saved for another 6 months before she began the
search for her new furry companion.
Ways to
reduce your pet costs
The cost of owning a pet can really add up, but there are some
simple things you can do to reduce the cost of owning one. Here are
some ideas.
- Buy your pet from a shelter - If you buy
your pet from the RSPCA or from a cat or dog shelter your animal
will be de-sexed, wormed and vaccinated which will save you money
and save an animal that needs a home. You may also save on local
council registration fees, so be sure to check.
- Register your pet - If you don't,
the fine can be much higher than the registration fee and your pet
can be more easily found if they are lost. It may also be cheaper
in the long-term to purchase 'lifetime' registration, rather than
yearly. Some councils also have discounts to register pets over the
age of 10. Check with your local council for accurate costs and
requirements.
- Get your pet de-sexed - If
you don't plan to breed your pet, the cost to de-sex will be lower
than the cost of bringing up a litter. With some councils, it is
mandatory to have your cat de-sexed, so make sure you check this as
the fine could be high. Registration costs are also generally
cheaper for de-sexed pets.
- Keep your pet's health in check
- Providing regular exercise, a good diet, and dental
care are important to maintaining your pet's overall health and
avoiding complications later in their life. You'll save money on
the long term costs of care for obesity, joint pain and arthritis
and dental care. Keep an eye on their weight and provide regular
bones or dental treats for your pet to keep their teeth and gums
healthy.
- Look at what you feed your
pet - Do your own research and talk to your vet
about what to feed your pet that may cost you less. You might find
that you can save money if you can avoid spending up on gourmet pet
food. Also shop around for cheaper options like getting dog bones
from the butcher, rather than a pet
shop.
- Don't go overboard on
accessories - While it can be tempting to spoil
your fur baby with a bit of bling, it can also be an unnecessary
cost. Be sure to weigh up if they really need that diamante-studded
collar, and look for good quality products that will stand the test
of time.
- Phone a
friend - Rather than shelling out for a
boarding kennel while you go away on holidays, ask an animal-loving
friend to pet sit in your
home.
- Pamper your pet
yourself - Save money by trimming your own
pet's nails and treating them to a bath, rather than paying someone
else to do it. If your pet requires regular haircuts, you could
even invest in a pair of clippers and teach yourself to trim their
coats through online instructional videos. It may take time to
learn, but they probably won't mind as much as humans would if you
give them a bad haircut.
- Pet-proof your home
- Especially for puppies, make sure you pick up
chargers, cables, and small items off the ground to save an
unexpected and expensive trip to the
vet.
- Invest time to train
- Rather than paying for a professional to help with
your pet's behavioural problems, do some research and put the time
in yourself first. There are plenty of online resources available,
including videos to demonstrate what to
do.
- Go DIY
- You can make your own toys, treats, play structures,
and even beds to save you money. There are heaps of online
tutorials to help you, it could save you heaps and can also be
quite rewarding.
The cost of cats and dogs... and snakes?
Try MoneySmart Teaching's
interactive resource that helps kids research the costs
and benefits of buying a pet and tackle issues around saving,
spending, planning, budgeting and making consumer choices.
Teachers can also use our Year 6 Mathematics unit of work It's
raining cats and dogs...and chickens where students investigate
the costs of becoming a pet owner and explore ethical
considerations and other factors that influence pet choice.
It is important you plan for the upfront and
ongoing expenses of your new pet to ensure they will fit in with
your household and your budget.
Related links
Last updated: 04 Jan 2018
