Dreaming of becoming a fur parent?
Get up to speed on the REAL cost of owning a dog, so you know what to expect before your commit
We are a nation of pet lovers, and our canine friends are the most popular pet in Australia. With post pandemic flexible work arrangements now commonplace, dog ownership is far easier and kinder than ever before. According to a RSPCA Knowledgebase report (from 2023), approximately 48% of households own a dog. That’s an awful lot of pups!
But how much does a dog cost? – really!
We’re not just talking about the purchase price, which can be eye watering, but the ongoing cost of owning a dog over its lifetime. It’s important to know what you’re in for, longer term, to really understand the financial commitment you’re making. This ensures you are financially prepared, as well as emotionally prepared, when your new fur baby snuggles into his or her bed that first night.
How much is a dog to buy?
Let’s start with purchasing your pooch. How much does a dog cost to buy? The simple answer is, it varies greatly, depending on whether the dog is a rescue dog, or you are buying from a breeder.
Of course, adopting a dog is the cheapest way to buy a dog. Adoption costs generally range from around $50 up to about $500, with the RSPCA stating an average cost of $350.
If you choose to buy a dog from a breeder, the cost of the dog is likely to start at around $800 and climb upwards to around $5,000. If you’re after a so-called designer pooch, or buying a dog from a very sought after breeder, the cost of a dog can rise as high as $10,000!
Once you’ve got your fur baby, you’ll need to register it with the council. Depending on where you live, this can range from between $40 and $200 per year.
How much are dog vaccinations?
On top of the initial purchase cost, you also need to factor in what are known as ‘core’ vaccinations to protect puppies from nasty or life-threatening diseases, like Parvovirus and Distemper. (Note: A rescue dog may have already received these before it goes up for adoption.)
You can expect the initial vaccinations to cost between $180 and $250. However, your dog will need annual boosters at around $90 each. It’s advised you check with your vet as vaccination costs may vary and will likely increase over time.
Pups need additional vaccinations and boosters as they get older too, so it’s important to factor those in. You should also budget an additional $25 a month on flea and tick prevention, which vaccinations don’t cover.
How much does it cost to desex a dog?
Unless you intend on hosting a house or neighbourhood full of puppies at regular intervals, you will need to desex your pup. You can expect to pay between $200 and $500 to get your dog desexed, though it’s generally around the $300 mark. Also, it’s a little cheaper to get a male dog desexed. Desexing can also lower insurance premiums because it reduces the risk of some common illnesses and can stop unsociable or wandering behaviours.
What is the average vet bill for a dog?
Here we are at what is usually the biggest outlay during the life of your dog. According to the NSW RSPCA, dog owners can expect to pay around $910 per year on vet bills, in addition to the vaccination costs we discussed earlier.
How much does it cost to feed a dog?
And what about the cost of feeding your dog? How much will their food put you back each month? MoneySmart reports that people generally pay up to around $2,024 per year for reasonable quality food. (See below for our tips for lowering that amount!)
How much does it cost to train a puppy?
Puppy school isn’t a necessity but if you don’t have any experience with dogs, it’s a popular way to instil some basic understanding of commands and behaviour expectations in your dog. Canstar states the average cost for an initial round of puppy school to be between $100 and $250 for a block of lessons.
How much is dog care?
You can’t always be home, and you can’t always take your dog on holiday. So, we investigated the costs of dog care for those times when you need to leave your beloved pooch behind. The costs vary depending on the length, location and type of dog care.
According to Airtasker:
- The hourly rate for in home dog sitting is between $15 and $50, this fluctuates for overnight or extended stays.
- Putting your dog in a kennel ranges from $25 per day for small dogs and $30 for larger ones.
- Dog boarding costs range from $30 to $70 a day.
- Doggy day care ranges from $20 to $65 a day.
- Dog walkers generally charge between $20 and $35 per walk.
How much is dog insurance?
This one is contentious as Pet Insurance doesn’t come cheap. Like human insurances there are different levels of pet insurance. The premiums tend to start at around $80 a month and go up to around $120 but costs can vary quite considerably so it’s worth shopping around.
Interestingly, some breeds are cheaper to insure, like Pomeranians and Maltese cross. Others, like bulldogs, are more expensive. As well as the breed, the age, sex, your location and whether or not the dog has been desexed affects the cost of your dog’s insurance premiums too.
Before taking out pet insurance, we suggest doing some maths comparing your average (or expected) annual vet bills and compare that to the cost of pet insurance. You may find it’s better for your hip pocket to take out the insurance, or in other cases it might be better to simply pay your vet bills out of pocket as they come up.
Other dog expenses:
In Australia, we spend around 1 billion dollars annually on pet products, with a decent chunk of that on dog toys. Though figures for dog toys vary, estimates are between $200 to $500 per year! Add dog beds, blankets, collars, leads, treats, bowls and the increasing trend for puppy outfits, the costs continue to rise.
If your dog is a longer haired dog like a poodle or a spaniel, you’ll like to also need regular grooming for them. Depending on the size of your dog and your location you could expect to pay $70 – $200+ for each grooming session.
Tips for managing the cost of a dog throughout the year
- Once you have worked out how much your dog is likely to cost you a year, build it into your budget each month so you are prepared for the dog’s expenses and are covered if something unexpected comes up.
- Consider pet insurance if it makes financial sense to do so. Make sure you shop around for a policy with good cover at a reasonable price, so you aren’t paying too much.
- Try buying your dog food in bulk as it’s often cheaper. Alternatively, substitute pre-made food with homemade food. There are plenty of healthy recipes to try online and they use basic meat and veg you would make for yourself so it’s easy to chop up and cook extra in a separate pot. You can also make large batches and freeze them in portioned bags.
- Depending on your dog’s temperament, consider DIY grooming. If you’re not sure how to start or what to do, take your dog to a groomer for a session and get them to show you.
- Do your best to avoid vet costs! Keep your dog healthy with regular walks and sensible feeding, suited to its size and activity level. Watch the treats and try not to get in the habit of giving it titbits from your plate. Good health includes your pup’s mental health so try not to leave it alone for long periods and give it plenty of attention when you are home. Socialise early and often so you don’t raise a timid or anxious dog. Anxiety can lead to behaviours that can also cause physical harm – and large vet bills!
Can I claim my dog on my tax return?
Would you believe that claiming a dog on your tax return isn’t even one of the most surprising deductions we’ve seen? The short answer to claiming your dog on your tax return is usually no, but there are some exceptions. The main rule here, is whether your dog is an integral part of you earning income. This means that if you have a working dog on a sheep farm or a guard dog for your business, then deductions are usually allowed for all dog related expenses. However, if your dog is your home office companion, snoozing at your feet while you work, the ATO would reject any dog related deductions you try to claim.
Adding it all up:
Getting a dog is a big commitment, so make sure you understand what to expect financially and emotionally. This will help you prepare for the long-term costs of owning a dog. You can always find ways to save money, but some expenses are unavoidable, so make sure you can cover the extra costs when you bring your fur baby home for the first time.
