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Owning a dog is great fun, I really cannot remember what life was like before we got ours. None of us would want to be without him that is for sure.
He has had a big impact on us, but all good. If you do not have a pet and are sure, you have the time, and cash, to look after one properly I highly recommend that you consider getting one.
However, you do need to think about the cost of looking after a dog. Here I have summarised the main expenses and provide you with some tips to help you to keep the costs down.
Finding a dog
Finding puppies for sale in Lancashire, and other parts of the UK, is easy. Potentially, buying a puppy can be expensive particularly if you buy a pedigree pet. However, you do not have to pay a fortune for a purebred dog. Some breeds are hellish expensive, but not all of them are you just need to do some research and shop around. If you do not want a pedigree puppy, look into adopting a rescue dog, instead.
Equipment for your puppy
When you pick up your pup, take a blanket with you, and someone to hold him or her during the journey. You will also need to get things ready at home before you pick your pet up.
That means creating a safe space for your puppy, and providing a bowl, a bed, a blanket, a brush, a collar, with an engraved nametag, and a lead. You will also need to buy some age appropriate puppy food. Oh, and a pile of newspaper, your pet will not be house trained, so you are going to need a lot of paper.
You can buy most of the equipment you need second hand to keep the cost of all of this down.
Your pet’s first visit to the vet
Your next expense is a visit to the vet. You need your dog to be checked out to make sure he or she is healthy. At the same time, your vet will check that your dog has been inoculated, has started a course of worming tablets and been treated for heartworm.
These are all expenses you cannot avoid. They are all essential for the long-term health of your dog and, to some extent, your family.
You will also need to follow through and protect your dog from parasites and disease. Of course, this costs money, but it means that your pet will spend less time at the vets and will stay safe and well.
Some vets will allow you to pay them in instalments to spread the cost. Many will offer you discounts on things like flea treatments. If you can afford pet insurance, it is definitely well worth considering, but shop around for the best deal.
Feeding your dog
One of the biggest ongoing costs is feeding your pet. You can keep the cost of this down by taking advantage of special offers and deals. It is nice to give your dog the occasional treat, but making them yourself is considerably cheaper than buying them.
Kennelling your dog
Another expense many people forget is the cost of putting your dog in kennels. If you are travelling in the UK, taking your pet with you is a far cheaper option. You just need to get him or her used to the car, and search out pet friendly campsites or B&BS.
When you go abroad leave your dog with a friend or relative. You can always return the favour and look after their pets when they go away.
There is no getting away from it pets cost money, but as you can see you can keep the costs down, and budget for the unavoidable expenses.