9 Signs You Can’t Actually (And Responsibly) Afford To Own a Pet

If you haven’t ever had a pet before, you may be eager to jump into ownership. After all, cats and dogs are so cuddly. But it’s important to understand what a burden a pet can be on your energy and finances before taking that next step.

The price of owning a pet has increased by 25.8% over the last five years, and since many pets have longer lifespans than they used to, the investment can really add up over the years. If you currently need to eliminate some money stress, adding a pet to your family may not be a good fit at the moment, since you’re going to want to make sure you can provide a fair and balanced life for both yourself and your fur friend.

So, before you make the decision to add a pet to your family, consider these eight signs that you may not quite be ready for this added financial responsibility.

Whether you rescue your puppy from a shelter, find one with a breeder or a foster family, or encounter them in the wild, you will want to ensure they visit the vet first thing to ensure they’re in good health. In many cases, a spay/neuter appointment will need to be scheduled right away, which costs an average of $160 to $220.

A lot of shelter puppies and cats — and even purebred options — may be more susceptible to long-term issues based on breed, birth, and other factors. When you first get them, you want to have them examined to see what types of medical conditions you may be dealing with. You will also want to have them vaccinated properly.

While some vets offer the first visit for free or at a discounted rate, the average cost of an initial checkup can range from $340 to $510.

Not only do you have to take your fur friend to the vet when they are new to your home, but you should be taking them back to a trained professional for a routine exam at least once a year for preventative care, just like a human.

This will allow you to keep up-to-date on any recurring vaccines or immunizations, and make it easier for both you and your vet to monitor changes in behavior and health.

These checkups will run you $50 to $250 per visit, and that’s if your pet is completely healthy. Routine heartworm tests cost $45 to $50, and a fecal exam — which can help identify a range of issues — is $25 to $45.

If you don’t have a pet, you may not realize how expensive their food has gotten.

In the past year alone, some food has experienced a markup of up to 100%, while others have experienced markups of around 10.24%. The market is oversaturated with all types of foods, from freeze-dried to wet to dry to gluten-free and other specialty diets, which can also make it difficult to decide what your pet needs.

Depending on the size and weight of your dog, you will end up spending $20 to $60 per month on their dry or canned food, and fresh food options could bring your bill to $100 or more. On average, cat owners will spend $40 to $155 per month per cat on food, treats, and catnip.

Before you go to pick up your pet, you will want to have the correct restraints or carriers for them. Collars, harnesses, and leashes are first-round purchases, as are small trash bags for your dog leash and other accessories to keep them clean, safe, and healthy.

If you own a cat, you need to have them in a carrier in most pet-centric facilities like the vet and groomer. Investing in a carrier averages between $20 and $160.

Routine, at-home medical care is also something to keep in mind when approaching the idea of getting a pet. Flea and tick medications need to be applied at least twice a year if not six, and cost around $45 on average for a 3 pack, or $15 per treatment.

If treating your dog for heartworms, expect to pay between $600 and $6,000 depending on the method. Remember that bigger sized animals may require bigger doses of medicines, which costs more in the long run.

Emergency medical care for your pet exists on a whole different scale than routine checkups, and those price tags can get pretty steep depending on what type of illness or injury you’re dealing with.

Costs for an unexpected visit for your dog can add up to between $150 and $5,000, while cat visits average $150 to $3,000.

If you don’t have an emergency fund for incidents like this or credit card to put a big purchase down on, this type of situation can really leave you in the lurch, almost as much as an emergency visit for a human.

Sometimes, you have to leave the house. While cats are a lot more self-sufficient than dogs, if you are leaving for an extended period of time you will want to ensure someone is there to check in on them.

When you have to travel or be away from home, you will want to consider boarding dogs for socialization or finding a sitter for your fur friend. After all, all fur babies will still need to be exercised, fed, hydrated, and snuggled during your time away for optimum health.

Unfortunately, boarding costs an average of $40 - $50 per night, which can seriously add up. Pet sitters who come to your home average between $45 and $75 per night of pet care, while a less frequent 30-minute visit costs around $25.

If you haven’t already, you’ll want to work grooming costs into your expectations. Both cats and dogs require consistent nail-trimming, unless you have had them declawed. This helps to protect your floors, belongings, and body from harm when they get overly excited.

Plus, giving your pets a good wash and fluff — or even a haircut — can be crucial to how they experience life and keep everyone clean.

Basic grooming can cost $30 to $90 per session, depending on the services required and if the groomer is working with a specialized breed. Self-service grooming facilities cost around $15 or more as well, unless you are a member with a subscription-based grooming schedule.

The hassle of finding a groomer you respect and that gets along with your pet can also be a really big energy and time suck. After all, you only want the best for your pet.

For those who work to groom their own fur friends, we salute you. Shampoo, dental products, nail clippers, and more grooming accessories are much less expensive, but will still cost you a good chunk up front.

If a pet isn’t in the cards financially right now, that’s ok. Keep more cash in your wallet by waiting a little bit. In the meantime, set up a high-yield savings account to create and save funds for a pet down the road.

Just because you can’t welcome a pet into your home right now doesn’t mean that things won’t change down the line.