The idea for this post came after my “2024 wrap up” arrived, courtesy of my local supermarket. It revealed that my second most bought category was pet care.
This shocked me a little. Masie is a mere 7kgs. I outweigh by ten times, and yet she does have a noticeable impact on the weekly shopping bill. Owning a dog can indeed be costly.
This article is designed to be as general as possible so that many readers can find it useful. However, it is worth noting that the insights shared here are all relevant for Jack Russells.
Finally, It’s not very helpful for me to outline my expenses because costs vary greatly depending on your location, the dog’s age, personal circumstances, and when you buy your pet. Instead, I’ve created a PDF to help you develop your own budget plan, but here are the categories covered in that document, along with some notes:
One off costs
- Adoption/purchase fee: While some places might offer dogs for free, acquiring a pedigree breed can cost thousands of pounds.
- Initial Vaccines: Depending on your location, breeders may cover these, or you may need to pay for any remaining vaccines.
- Spaying/Neutering: Opinions vary on this, but spaying or neutering can have benefits, including avoiding unwanted puppies..
- Initial Supplies: Expenses can add up quickly. At the very least, you’ll need food and water bowls, a lead, and some bedding. Additional costs might include a crate, puppy pads, toys, and materials to puppy-proof your home.
- Microchipping: If you are buying from a reputable breeder or adoption shelter in the UK, this will be fully covered. I would absolutely advocate everyone gets this done however. It is your best chance to get your furry friend back if they ever go missing
Monthly
- Food: It might be tempting to pick up a few of the the cheapest cans of supermarket own brand, but these can bring health problems themselves. Years ago a vet talked us out of using them and we noticed an improvement in our (now past dogs) health and demeanour at the time. Spending the little extra is worth it
- Flea/Tick/Heart worm medication: Jack Russells, in particular, are curious and adventurous, so these medications are essential. However any dog should have these applied regularly, you would not want ticks or fleas in your home!
- Pet Insurance: Optional in some areas, but necessary to consider whether you can afford large vet bills. Weigh the benefits of a monthly premium versus unexpected costs.
- Grooming: Decide if you are willing to invest time and money in grooming equipment and shampoos – Or leave it to an export.
- Dog Walker/Pet Sitter: If you cannot walk your dog daily, you might need to budget for this service
- Daycare: To ensure your dog is neither lonely nor inactive while you’re away, daycare might be necessary if you’re out for long periods. Dogs should ideally not be left alone for more than 3-4 hours
- Training Classes: Especially helpful for new dog owners, training classes can also be beneficial for socialisation. Some owners opt for occasional classes even as their dogs age.
Yearly
- Annual Vaccines/check-up: Strongly advised and sometimes necessary for services like boarding.
Ad-Hoc
- Emergency/Specialist Vet Visits: Even with insurance, some conditions may not be covered, and excess fees can apply.
- Training: As above, it might not be a regular expense but could be required on an ad-hoc basis.
- Replacement supplies/accessories: Ongoing usage will eventually necessitate replacements for items like bedding and toys.
- Pet Travel: Whether you travel with your pet or find boarding for them, these situations entail additional costs – Unless you have an agreement with someone to dog sit for you for free!
- Events/Competitions: Optional, but should you choose to participate, there may be entry fees and other associated expenses.
Other Costs
I have tried to ensure this list is as complete as possible, but there are undoubtedly things that I have missed. Dogs are, unfortunately, not the cheapest of pets – Perhaps they do some damage to an item that needs replacing. All of these things need to be considered when working out if you are financially ready for a dog.
Lifetime Conditions
Years ago, I worked with someone who got a whippet as a puppy. Whilst out taking it for a walk at about six months old, the dog collapsed and she rushed it to the vet. I cannot recall the exact condition the dog had, but it would have been terminal without continuous ongoing care. Fortunately for her, she had purchased a “lifetime” pet insurance plan, which effectively locked in the cost she would pay monthly for the lifetime of the dog.
The dog, when I last heard, was still living a happy, fulfilling life, but had she not chosen to buy this upfront this story could have ended very differently.
Suffice to say, I wanted to give an honourable mention to these lifetime plans. Whilst they may be a little more expensive, if you are buying a pedigree or a dog prone to known health conditions, this may be another option you want to take into account.
Conclusion
All said, after looking at that bill that prompted me to write this article, there isn’t an ounce of regret. Masie is worth every penny, and more. Her company alone is priceless. However it is important to build some sort of a rough budget to see if you can afford a dog, to ensure you can afford a good quality of life for you and your dog.