How much would a year’s worth of dog supplies cost?
I really want my parents to get me a dog.
I’m trying to convince them by telling them that I’d pay for all of the supplies I need.
So I need to know how much everything would cost.
It would be great if you can actually list the things I’d need.
BTW i’m 11 years old
the "average" cost
great answer Siobhán
thanks for all the great answers 
ok maybe I wouldn’t pay for EVERYTHING
how about a german shepard?
It averages around $1000 per year for most pets, and is somewhat dependent on the size of the dog. For example, small dogs eat less than large ones, and medications that are sold by weight of the dog (like heartworm prevention and flea control) are slightly less expensive for small dogs. So are crates, beds, toys and fencing for your yard (you’d need 6 foot fencing for most dogs over 40 pounds, while a 4 foot fence would contain a toy breed very safely.)
So the actual total cost is probably going to be beyond your capacity to pay, However, I think it’s very responsible of you to want to pay what you can of the dog’s care and hopefully your parents are impressed with your desire to contribute in this way. What you may want to do is come up with a monthly amount of money that you think you can earn and agree to give that to your parents each month to help out with the costs of the dog. That’s a very reasonable solution for a young person.
Even though you can’t pay for everything on your own, knowing what will be needed should impress your folks as it shows you are serious enough about a dog to have done some research! It’s very hard to put prices on most of these without knowing the size of dog or the state you live in (which you shouldn’t need to share with us.)
So here’s a list of the very basics:
-Crate
-Feeding bowls
-Toys
-Leash
-Collar or harness
-ID tag
-Annual vet visit and vaccinations ( and most years you will have a visit or two in between as the dog eats something or gets sick)
-Monthly heartworm preventative
-Monthly Flea protection
-Food
-Treats
-Annual dog license (this is usually $20 or less)
-Obedience Classes
-Boarding or a pet sitter when you go on vacation
-Cost of buying the dog itself. If you get it from a shelter, it will probably already be spayed or neutered and also microchipped. If you buy the dog from a breeder, you will often have to spay or neuter and microchip the dog yourself.
Obviously some of these expenses, like crates, leashes, bowls, spaying, etc. are incurred in the first year and then they’re under control for a long time. The first year is always expensive though because of the set-up costs, the spaying, the training, etc.
Good luck!
That is a difficult question. The cost of owning a dog varies by the breed, your location and a host of other items. Your local SPCA would be a great source of information about the breeds, food, toys, and veterinary costs for the dog you have selected.
References :
http://pawsitivemethods.com
http://www.aspca.org/
The best way you can get an idea is to go down to the pet shop or supermarket and then add up the costs of things for an accurate idea.
The start up costs are the most expensive time as you will need to buy the bed, lead, collar etc. But you will also need to pay for the vaccinations at the vets. This price varies from vet to vet so call up a few and ask them how much they charge for puppy shots.
Then there are ongoing vets bills for booster shots every year and anything if the dog gets ill. I suspect this is what you parents are worried about as opposed to the food costs. You need to talk with them about this because I would be surprised if you can afford those at your age. Perhaps if you may for everything else they will agree to help with vets bills?
Hope that helps in some way. ^_^
References :
There is no accurate answer for this. Obviously, it would cost more per year to feed a Great Dane than it would to feed a Toy Poodle. You know, you also must have enough money to provide proper medical care if the dog gets sick. Example: If a dog ends up with an intestinal blockage, the surgery for that can be anywhere from $2000.00-$4000.00. If your parents can’t comfortably afford something like this, it may not be the best time to consider getting a dog. There is more to owning a dog, than just supplies. BTW, you are not even suppose to be on this site unless you are 13. I suggest if you have anymore questions, you ask your parents to post them.
References :
I don’t mean to deflate your hopes or anything, but an 11yr old simply can’t earn the kind of money it takes to raise a dog… unless you babysit 24/7, mow every ones lawn and do every odd job possible, but then you wouldn’t be able to spend time with your new dog.
I think you’re a little young to be pushing that "i’ll pay for it" argument. The ONLY way you could POSSIBLY bring your parents round to the idea is proving you can take responsibility with out being asked to do it and take initiative but don’t count on it working.
References :
It averages around $1000 per year for most pets, and is somewhat dependent on the size of the dog. For example, small dogs eat less than large ones, and medications that are sold by weight of the dog (like heartworm prevention and flea control) are slightly less expensive for small dogs. So are crates, beds, toys and fencing for your yard (you’d need 6 foot fencing for most dogs over 40 pounds, while a 4 foot fence would contain a toy breed very safely.)
So the actual total cost is probably going to be beyond your capacity to pay, However, I think it’s very responsible of you to want to pay what you can of the dog’s care and hopefully your parents are impressed with your desire to contribute in this way. What you may want to do is come up with a monthly amount of money that you think you can earn and agree to give that to your parents each month to help out with the costs of the dog. That’s a very reasonable solution for a young person.
Even though you can’t pay for everything on your own, knowing what will be needed should impress your folks as it shows you are serious enough about a dog to have done some research! It’s very hard to put prices on most of these without knowing the size of dog or the state you live in (which you shouldn’t need to share with us.)
So here’s a list of the very basics:
-Crate
-Feeding bowls
-Toys
-Leash
-Collar or harness
-ID tag
-Annual vet visit and vaccinations ( and most years you will have a visit or two in between as the dog eats something or gets sick)
-Monthly heartworm preventative
-Monthly Flea protection
-Food
-Treats
-Annual dog license (this is usually $20 or less)
-Obedience Classes
-Boarding or a pet sitter when you go on vacation
-Cost of buying the dog itself. If you get it from a shelter, it will probably already be spayed or neutered and also microchipped. If you buy the dog from a breeder, you will often have to spay or neuter and microchip the dog yourself.
Obviously some of these expenses, like crates, leashes, bowls, spaying, etc. are incurred in the first year and then they’re under control for a long time. The first year is always expensive though because of the set-up costs, the spaying, the training, etc.
Good luck!
References :
mb