How Much Really Are Puppies Usually Initially? Budgeting Beyond the Adoption Fee.
Okay, so I've been thinking about getting a puppy for a while now, and I finally decided to take the plunge. But man, figuring out the costs? That's a whole other ballgame. It's not just the price of the puppy itself, there are all sorts of things to consider. Here is my sharing, I hope that I did everthing, fingers crossed.
The Initial Price Tag
First things first, I started by looking at the actual price of puppies. I browsed different breeders and shelters, and wow, the range is HUGE. You can find puppies for a few hundred bucks at a shelter, or you can spend thousands on a specific breed from a fancy breeder. It all depends on what you're looking for, I guess. I quickly learned that purebreds with "papers" are way more expensive than mixed breeds or rescues.
Beyond the Upfront Cost
Then It hitted me the other cost after I bring my future furry friend home, So I created a list like below:
- Food: Puppies eat a lot, growing, so I gotta factor in the cost of good quality puppy food.
- Vet Visits: There are vaccinations, check-ups, and who knows what else might come up. Those vet bills can add up quick!
- Supplies: I'm talking about a crate, bed, leash, collar, toys, food and water bowls, puppy pads… the list goes on. I started to see my bank account crying already.
- Training: Some basic training classes for sure and I've heard this is super important for socialization and basic commands, so I don’t want to skip this part.
- Grooming: Depending on the breed, I might need to pay for professional grooming, or at least invest in some good brushes and shampoos.
- Unexpected Stuff: I know, very detailed, huh? What I mean is like, what if the puppy chews up my favorite shoes? Or needs emergency surgery? I gotta have some cushion in the budget for the unexpected.
My Action Plan
So, what did I do with all this info? Well, I:
- Researched average costs for all those things in my area.
- Created a spreadsheet (yeah, I'm that person) to track potential expenses.
- Decided on a breed and if its mixed or purebred.
- Started saving like crazy!
It is also important to notice that different breeds come with different costs. Finally, I decided to have a mixed breed. Getting a puppy is a big decision, both financially and emotionally. I wanted to be as prepared as possible, so I don't get hit with any nasty surprises later. This whole process has been a real eye-opener, and it's definitely made me appreciate all the responsible pet owners out there!
