How Much Does It Cost To Own A Pet? #Pet Loans
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In Australia, it is estimated that 61% of households have some type of pet. 53% of those have got either a cat or a dog. So, it’s clear Australia is a popular place to own a pet, but how much money should you allocate each year to have one? Here is a rough guide for the most common pets!
How much does it cost to have a dog or cat?
According to ASIC, the first year of owning a cat or dog will cost you between $3,000 and $6,000. After the first year, it’ll cost just over $1,000 each year for a dog and just under $1,000 for a cat.
Take a look at this financial breakdown to guide you how much pet finance will cost.
Pet Adopting Fees or Purchase Fees
Practically speaking, if you are planning to purchase from a certified breeder you must be ready to spend a few thousand dollars.
The cost may vary depending on what breed you want and where to buy your pet. A pure breed dog may cost you up to $4,000 and for cats, it may cost over $2,000.
If you want to stick to your budget, consider a less expensive breed, or you can adopt from an animal shelter instead. It can cost up to $500 to adopt from a shelter, according to the RSPCA, which is far cheaper than a purebred.
Vet Expenses
After choosing whether you want to purchase or adopt a pet, you may need to take them to the vet for some procedures such as desexing, microchipping and vaccinations, which may cost up to $1,000.
As a responsible pet owner, your annual vet checkup may cost $450 depending on your pet’s unique health requirements.
Pet Insurance
Pet insurance can help you cover unexpected things that may happen to your pet such as getting sick or injured. That cost may change depending on the breed of your pet and their age. Pet insurance can cost anywhere from $20 – $60 each month or an estimated amount of $1,110 per year.
Tip: Make sure you consider the pros and cons of what the insurance policy may cover before signing all the papers.
Cost of Council Registration
For dog owners, you must be aware that most councils in Australia require you to register your dog with them. Regular breeds of dogs may cost $50, but it can cost as much as $500 for restricted or menacing breeds.
For cat owners, it may depend on which State you live in Australia. Some states require you to pay a cat registration fee to your local council, some may ask you to register your cat if it’s more than 3 months old, and some states may not ask you to register them at all.
Pet Accessories
A part of being a responsible pet owner is that you need to keep your new pet comfortable and entertained. Some things you may need include a collar, bed, food bowls, chew toys, a kennel or scratching post etc.
This cost may vary depending on how much you want to spoil your pet, but the estimated cost can be up to $500 for the first year and about $100 dollars each year after that.
Food
Food for your pet may be the largest cost you will run up.
If you want to own a dog, it can cost up to $800 each year for premium dog food, and that doesn’t include treats or snacks.
For cats, it’s a bit cheaper, at around $500 a year.
Grooming and Training
Let’s Look at Some Exact Pet Finance Figures
Depending on your lifestyle and what pet you own, the cost of owning a pet may vary. Dogs usually need to visit pet salons more often compared to cats for grooming and washing. Because cats are fantastic at grooming themselves, they need a lot less grooming, but it still depends on your personal preferences and the breed of your cat.
Fish – The Cheapest Option! It’s true, the size of your animal does directly relate to the amount you will need each year to care for it. That’s why a fish is a very good way to start, especially with kids who can lose interest quite quickly in the day-to-day care of pets. Here’s what you could expect to spend on a fish:
SET UP COST: Aquarium/ filters/fish bowl RANGE: $30 – $300
FOOD PER YEAR: $35
WATER TEST KITS/SUPPLIES FOR TANK PER YEAR: $65
VET COSTS: NIL – very few people take their fish to the vet!
AVE. YEARLY COST: $50
Bird If you don’t want the responsibility to exercise your animal, and love hearing morning tweets, perhaps a bird is an ideal pet for you. Here’s an idea of what they will set you back.
SET UP COST: Cage/swing/feeder etc. RANGE: $35 -$500
FOOD PER YEAR: $135
GROOMING/TOYS: $120
AVE. VET COSTS: $275
AVE. YEARLY COST: $300
Cat If you want affection, but don’t want to be tied to exercising a pet, a cat may be your best choice.
SET UP COST: Litter box, cat litter, post, collar RANGE: $200 – $650
FOOD PER YEAR: $300
GROOMING/TOYS $75
AVE VET COSTS: $300
AVE. YEARLY COST: $900
Dog The biggest size pet, and the one that generally needs daily exercise. If you are ready to take on the pet that requires the most attention, here is what you will be looking at spending!
SET UP COST: bed, collar, bowls, leash RANGE: $250 – $1000
FOOD PER YEAR: $410
GROOMING/TOYS: $250
AVE. VET COST: $560
AVE. YEARLY COST: $1100
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