The Cost of a Pet
Financial times are tough. Your family is feeling the economic crunch and in an effort to liven things up in your house you adopt a cat, dog or some other type of pet. You figure this is a good way to brighten everyone’s spirits since pets can usually make a home much more lively.
Before you make the assumption that bringing a pet into your home is going to be an inexpensive pursuit, keep in mind that there are plenty of expenses associated with adopting a pet even if the pet is given to you at no cost. In fact, the potential costs associated with owning a pet can be staggering and may catch you by surprise if you aren’t expecting them.
Food: You can get away with buying the cheapest type of pet food but chances are this isn’t the most nutritious option. The better the food for your pet, the more the food is going to cost. The better food may prolong the life of your pet and let it live a healthier life, but you will definitely notice the expense of buying this type of food. Don’t be surprised if the cheapest food makes your pet throw up or act sluggish. In other words, you may vow to not spend a lot of money on your pet’s diet, but it may turn out that you don’t have much of a choice.
Vet Bills: Veterinary bills can be quite costly, especially if you are determined to follow all the advice of your pet’s vet. You might take Fluffy in for shots and then find that you’re also supposed to get dental cleanings to the tune of $200. Things get much more expensive when your pet falls ill. Unless you have pet insurance - which is indeed a real type of insurance - you will quickly find that vet bills can skyrocket if your pet needs something beyond the routine preventative care. Of course, you will probably find that you are entirely too attached to the pet to simply refuse to have the best treatment available for your pet’s condition, and this is going to cost quite a bit of money.
Liability: Your cat uses its claws to ruin your drapes or your dog bites your neighbor. Whatever damage your pet causes, whether it is in your own home or somewhere else, you’re liable for. It’s one thing to have to replace a pair of shoes that your puppy chews up, but it’s another thing entirely when your puppy chases down a neighborhood child and delivers a hearty bite to the leg.
Pets can be great additions to a home, but don’t enter into pet ownership without first thinking about the potential costs associated with being a pet owner.
