[nagdu] dog expenses question

[Julie J. via nagdu]

I do all my grooming myself.  there is a new self service dog wash that I'm 
going to check out next time bath time rolls around.  I think it will be 
easier than kneeling on the floor and leaning over the tub to give the dogs 
baths.

So yearly expenses.  Here's my best guess.  Oh, I have two dogs and I live 
in a very small town.  No fancy vet here.

shampoo between $5 and $10 depending on what I buy and if it's on sale

brushes, combs, nail clippers etc.  probably $0 for me because I bought nice 
sturdy tools a long while ago and I am still using them.  If I had to 
replace all of them...maybe $75 at least for the ones I like and would 
replace

crate $100, I have a huge dog and couldn't purchase a regular size available 
locally.  this is a one time expense and you will probably get by for 
cheaper.

crate pad/bedding $0 I use an old blanket folded into quarters.  It was 
something I already had and it washes very easily, unlike some of the bulky 
commercially available products.

food I spend right around $100 every 6 weeks for  food and treats for both 
dogs.  Let me do the math...I think it would be about $450 per dog per year. 
that looks less than what it seems like I'm spending, so perhaps I've goofed 
something up here.

vet expenses vary quite a bit depending on the health of the dog.  Monty had 
a freak accident that ripped off one of his nails, which required him to be 
sedated for it to be fixed.  I'm remembering that was around $200, maybe 
less it's been a while.  Belle was really sick last year and stayed an 
entire week at the vet.  They did all sorts of tests  and tried a variety of 
medications.  Never did sort out what was wrong, but she got better.  That 
was $300 or a bit more.   If nothing unexpected happens I probably spend $50 
at the vet for routine exams and health care.  I'm not including heartworm 
preventative.  I don't remember how much that is.

Preventative care...I only treat for heartworm prevention during the months 
when we have live bugs and a bit after the bug season.  It's a choice and 
there are differing opinions on it.  Do your own research and decide for 
yourself.  I just bought the flea and tick repellant I use.  It was $60, but 
that should be enough for both dogs all of this year and part of next year. 
I use a cedar oil spray, not the chemicals the vet sells.  It has to be 
applied weekly and it smells like cedar, strongly.  I like the smell, my 
husband does not.  Again you have to figure out what works for you.

Toys, gear and misc.  I think this is the category where you can really 
spend a lot.  I mean you can spend $50 on a designer ceramic hand crafted 
water dish if you want to.  I use a $10 stainless steel dish I bought at 
Wal-Mart 5 years ago.  It  still looks brand new.  You can buy expensive 
pick up bags or you can go cheap and buy in bulk or super cheap and recycle 
what you have laying around.  You can buy fancy leashes and perfumes and 
travel water dishes if you want.  You don't really need any of this stuff. 
Your dog will come with what you absolutely have to have.  I think my weak 
spot is toys.  My dogs have a ton and I'm always tempted to buy more.  I 
think I find them just as fun as the dogs do. *smile*

I think the best advice is what Raven said.  Figure out what you will need, 
how much vets charge in your area and create your budget from your own 
choices and circumstances.

HTH
Julie