Financial Considerations of Getting a Pet

Getting a pet is a long-term commitment that requires a certain amount of planning, and a fair amount of money. If you want to create the best life for your future furry friends, you have to think about finances. Before you bring an animal into your home, consider the following financial considerations of getting a pet to ensure you can afford proper care:

Do Some Research on Pet Costs

Spend time researching costs associated with pet ownership. If you want to get a dog, for example, think about the costs of veterinary care, grooming, and training. Here are some of the recurring costs for your future endeavor:

• Food
• Toys/enrichment
• Veterinary care
• Training
• Daycare/boarding/pet sitting
• Grooming
• Cleaning supplies
• Litter and litter boxes for cats

Create a Monthly Budget to Financially Prepare to Get a Pet

In order to figure out if you can comfortably afford to add a pet into your life, you should create a budget that includes pet expenses. Leave a little bit of wiggle room to account for unexpected costs like an unplanned pet sitter or a trip to the emergency veterinarian. Consider the following extra expenses:

• Adoption fees
• Microchip costs
• Pet beds and crates
• Vaccinations
• Habitats (for exotic pets) 
• Unexpected pet care

If adding these expenses to your normal monthly expenses does not put a strain on your bank account, you can consider yourself financially prepared for pet ownership.

Consider Pet Insurance or Wellness Plan

Even if you adopt a young pet that does not have any health issues, it’s always a good idea to plan for the unexpected. Pet insurance or monthly wellness plans can save you a lot of money on pet care costs. Pet insurance will reimburse you for the cost of many veterinary procedures, but be sure to read your policy thoroughly. You don’t want to assume something is covered and then have to foot the bill yourself. Wellness plans can also help you pay for routine veterinary care like vaccines and monthly preventives.

Don’t Skimp on Veterinary Visits

Some people avoid going to yearly veterinary visits to save a little on the cost of pet ownership. While this might seem more cost effective in the short run, it can actually cost you a lot more long-term. Annual vet visits help you maintain optimal health for your pets. It can also spot and treat any potential health issues early before they become difficult to treat. Without immediate attention, a lot of these issues that start small can turn into big, expensive problems. 

Save for Emergencies

Creating an emergency pet fund can also help you cover the costs of unexpected aspects of pet care. Create an account that is specifically for pet-related expenses and add a little bit of money to it each month. Before you know it, you’ll have a nice nest egg with which to pay for any pet bills you might receive. 

Hopefully, these financial considerations of getting a pet have helped you feel confident to move forward and start a relationship with a furry friend. We also hope they will help you be more financially prepared when the unexpected happens.

At Oakland Veterinary Referral Services, we want to make it as easy as possible to provide a healthy and happy life for your pets. Our team is here to provide the specialty veterinary care and information you need. To learn more about our vast array of services, please call (248) 334-6877.