The 6 Most Common Pet Expenses

Pet expenses must be considered when you are planning to get a pet. You must first decide on how much you can afford and get a pet that doesn’t have more financial requirements than you can afford. The pet expenses may depend on the type of pet you have, his breed and age. However, here are some common pet expenses you need to know of.

1. Food Expenses

Food is essential for pets and this will be a weekly or a monthly expense. You should decide on the best choice of food for your pet and if you want to save some money, you can buy in bulk. However, make sure you store the food properly, so it won’t go bad.

The amount of food your pet requires will vary according to his energy level and health condition.

2. Pet Vaccination

The vaccination will be required when you get your pet; however, if you get your pet from a shelter, he may already have his vaccines to date.

You will also need to take your pet for yearly boosters.

3. Neutering Costs

Neutering is performed in a lot of cats and dogs. This procedure will make sure your pet will not have any puppies or kittens that you won’t have the means to keep and will have to send to a shelter.

In addition, neutering will also make your pet more obedient and solve certain behavior problems.

The neutering is an outpatient procedure and may cost up to $200, but humane societies may perform the surgery for much less.

4. Toys and Treats

A pet needs his toys and treats; these are means of rewarding him and keeping him entertained.

Invest in some quality treats that may also be useful in reducing the plaque or have additional health benefits (i.e. fiber supplements to promote a healthy digestion).

When choosing the toys, make sure they are suitable for your pet’s size; maxillary fractures are often caused by unsuitable chew toys.

5. Veterinary Checkups

The veterinary checkups are necessary to make sure your pet is in good health. During his first year, the pet may require more frequent visits (i.e. once every 2 months or when the vaccines are scheduled).

If your pet is healthy, a checkup per year is sufficient. However, as your pet gets older and the occurrence of certain medical conditions are more likely, you will have to schedule vet visits every 2 or 3 months.

You may also want to have a yearly professional dental cleaning for your pet.

6. Grooming Expenses

While some pet owners may opt to perform the grooming at home, you may find a few tasks more difficult. For instance, trimming the pet’s nails may be more problematic and you may hurt your pet, so perhaps it’s better if you go to a professional grooming salon.

Certain dog breeds also require hair cuts, so you may also need to take your pet for a professional hair cut.

 

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