There’s no doubt that pets can increase your happiness and quality of life. Coming home every day to a dog that is super excited to see you or curling up on the couch with your cat after a long day is a great feeling. Sharing your home and life with a pet is a truly wonderful experience, but you should know about some of the costs associated with it before adopting a new pet. If this is your first pet as an adult, you may not be aware of some of the expenses that come with it. Check out some of the things you should be prepared for below to ensure you are financially ready to bring a pet into your life.
Adoption Fees
Whether you are adopting your pet from a shelter or a pet store, there are likely going to be some fees associated with the adoption process. Depending on the type of pet you are adopting, the fees could be quite small or very expensive. The best thing you can do is research these fees before deciding to adopt.
Apartment Fees
While many apartments are pet-friendly, most of them will require you to pay some sort of fee in order to live with a pet. The fees will vary from community to community and the type of pet you have, but you should expect to pay a non-refundable pet deposit as well as a small monthly rent increase.
The Basics
Every pet will require some basic things. These may include a collar, leash, ID tags, crates, carriers, litter boxes, etc. While these may seem like small things, they will definitely add up over time and might even cost more than you had initially thought. To avoid any unexpectedly large costs, you should research all of these things before you adopt a pet.
Food & Treats
You should already know to factor the cost of pet food into your monthly budget when owning a pet, but there may be some unexpected expenses when it comes to feeding your pet. Your pet might have special dietary needs that require you to buy special food or treats, which are generally more expensive than regular food and treats.
Pet Toys
Whether you are adopting a dog or a hamster, every pet will need toys. Your pet needs to be entertained, especially when you are away at work, so be sure to get them some interesting toys!
Cleaning Supplies
Pets tend to make messes, even the most well-behaved pets. You should budget for cleaning supplies like carpet cleaners, odor removers, cat litter, aquarium filters, water treatments, etc. Each pet will require different supplies, so it is best to determine what is needed before adopting your pet.
Dog Training Classes
You will need to train your new puppy; this is an important step in bringing a new dog into your life. Pet training costs will vary depending on where and how you get the training.
Dog Walking Or Daycare
Dogs will need to be let out during the day and need a good amount of exercise to remain healthy. If you don’t have a job that lets you run home in the middle of your shift to take care of your dog, you will need to budget for daycare or a dog walking service.
Grooming Services
Some pets will require more grooming than others, but every pet will need a basic level of grooming services. These things include washing your pet, haircuts, nail trimming, and more, depending on your specific pet.
Trips To The Vet
When you first adopt your pet, you will need to take them to the vet for an initial checkup to be sure that they are in good health and have all of the necessary vaccinations. If your pet has not been spayed or neutered, you will also need to consider the cost of this. You also should factor in the cost of regular vet visits to ensure that your pet remains in good health.
Pet Insurance
Pet insurance can save you a lot of money. Vet bills are not cheap, and pet insurance can help with this. The cost of pet insurance depends on your specific pet, but for a young and healthy pet, it should be pretty cheap.
Medicine
Not every pet will need medicine, but some will require preventative medication for things like heartworm and fleas. This applies mostly to dogs and cats.
Set Up An Emergency Fund
Just as you hopefully have an emergency fund set up for yourself and your family, you should have an emergency fund set up for your pet. Even if you have pet insurance, vet bills can still be expensive.
Know The Costs Of Adopting A Pet
Knowing about some of the possible expenses of living with a pet should help you to make an educated decision about whether or not you can afford one. Hopefully, this list has helped you uncover some of the possible unexpected expenses and leads you to making the best decision.
