Before you take a dog, it is wise to find out about the costs that getting a dog entails. How much does a dog’s livelihood cost per year? Many people are mistaken about the costs. On average you quickly lose 2 euros per day on food, but the dog of course needs a lot more than just food. Even if you keep it as cheap as possible, you will quickly spend 750 to 800 euros annually on the maintenance of a dog.
A dog is a popular pet. A dog is fun, and although a dog also requires a lot of attention, many people choose to have a dog as a pet. There are also quite a few people who misunderstand the less pleasant side of having a dog, such as the cost of living for the dog. A dog needs food every day, but also a collar, a leash, toys, a basket. Sometimes your dog will need medication, neutering or spaying if necessary, and so on. You can of course make it as expensive as you want. Keeping a dog for free will never be, but it doesn’t have to be super expensive.
How much does a dog cost?
A dog from the shelter costs between 150 and 200 euros. This is relatively inexpensive as dogs from shelters have been neutered / neutered, treated with anti-flea agents, dewormed and vaccinated. You no longer have to spend those costs yourself. But not everyone buys a dog from the shelter. Many people get a puppy because they enjoy starting a puppy so much. The costs of vaccinations and castration / sterilization etc. are usually for your own account. At the animal protection you can read what a dog or cat from a shelter currently costs. The prices can, however, still differ somewhat per shelter.
Purchase
Depending on the purchase of the type of dog, a dog usually costs money at the time of purchase. After all, most puppies aren’t free because puppies are loved and not difficult to sell. An ordinary dog without a pedigree costs approximately between 50 and 150 euros to purchase. Do you want a purebred dog with a pedigree? Then a dog quickly costs 500 euros, but there are of course also expensive dog breeds that even cost 2000 euros or more.
Stuff
A dog also needs supplies. Things that you will at least bring home when you have a dog are:
- collar and leash and / or harness. Costs approximately between 35 and 60 euros.
- toys. Costs about 10 euros.
- basket or blanket. Costs as quickly between 10 (blanket) and 40 euros or more (basket). Depending on the size of the dog
- crate or doghouse. Costs approximately between 60 and 300 euros.
- food bowl and water bowl. Costs about 7 euros.
- brush. Costs about 4 euros.
All prices are the average price in the year 2017. These items can also be found second-hand on a regular basis. You can then also have good items at home for about half the price.
One-off costs
The dog may be spayed or neutered sooner or later. Unlike cats, dogs are not spayed or neutered as often. In dogs, this is usually only done if there are (medical or behavioral) problems, which may be reduced by the procedure. It does not mean that cats are required to be spayed or neutered, but every cat owner (who does not want to breed) usually chooses to do so, because cats will urinate everywhere if they are not ‘helped’. Male cats, in particular, mark their territory with urine. Cats are in heat and that is no fun for the owner. If you have to incur these costs, it will cost:
- castration on average 150 euros.
- sterilization on average 200 euros.
All prices are the average price in the year 2017.
Pet insurance
Most dogs also undergo surgery during their lifetime. The costs of a medical procedure at the vet are between 60 euros and several hundred euros. That is why skin animal insurance is recommended. The costs of a pet insurance are approximately 180 to 200 euros per year.
All prices are the average price in the year 2017.
Have the dog microchipped
Increasingly, owners are getting their pet (dog or cat) microchipped, in case you ever lose the dog. Chipping costs between 35 and 50 euros.
All prices are the average price in the year 2017.
Yearly costs
Annual costs that you (can or must) incur for your dog are:
- vaccinations. About 100 euros. (Not everyone does this annually, but it is recommended).
- worming and flea removal. About 40 euros per year (This is really necessary).
- dog tax. About 80 – 120 euros. This is not a fixed national price but an indication. The amount you are obliged to pay for dog tax depends on the municipality in which you live. You are obliged to pay this tax.
- grooming salon about 200 per year (Only necessary for long-haired dogs requiring special care)
All prices are the average price in the year 2017.
Food
An adult dog costs about 400 to 600 euros per year in canned or chunks of food. If you give a dog its natural food, consisting largely of raw meat, it can be a lot cheaper, but with a brand like BARF, it can turn out more expensive.
All prices are the average price in the year 2015.
Other costs
There are also other costs. Think for example of taking your dog on holiday, or a dog boarding service, dog walking service, things that the dog can destroy, medication, and if the dog has become sick or old, costs to put the dog to sleep and the cremation, and so on. These costs also quickly add up to more than 100 euros.
All prices are the average price in the year 2017.
Total costs for a dog as a pet
In total, a dog will cost you about 15,000 to 20,000 euros during its life. The average dog costs the owner about 800 to 1000 euros per year. All prices are the average price in the year 2017. Keeping a dog can be a lot cheaper, if you get purchasing items for free, for example, and if you take a dog that has already been neutered.