How to Calculate Pet Upkeep Costs

Becoming a pet owner can be a very rewarding and enjoyable experience. However, when you own a living creature, there comes responsibility and costs. Whether you're thinking about getting a pet turtle, fish, dog or cat, here are some ways to calculate the upkeep costs of owning a pet.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Habitat/shelter for your animal
• Food
• Pet potty
• Water and food bowls
• Pet bed
• Pet goodies - toys, treats and leashes
• Time commitment

1. Figure out where your pet is going to live–whether it is an indoor-outdoor pet, or primary indoor. This may mean buying a fish tank, purchasing a cozy doggie bed, or designating a section of the house where your pet can retreat to and feel safe and where it can eat, sleep and exercise.

2. Plan to calculate the expenses for a pet potty. Although most dogs will be using the great outdoors, cats will need litter and small critters, such as hamsters and guinea pigs, will need absorbent wood shavings, to be changed routinely in their cages.

3. Determine your pet's diet. If you are buying a dog or cat, you can most likely figure out what a month's worth of food will cost by seeing what the average prices of pet food are at the store and do the math, based on your pet's consumption habits, to calculate the dietary upkeep costs.

4. Keep a fund for vet visits. An annual check-up is the recommended standard, but an emergency fund is always a good idea in case your pet becomes ill or injured.

5. Decide if you want to neuter or spay your pet. Check with your local vet to see what a procedure like this will cost.

6. Train Fido to act like a fine pooch. If you are a dog owner and are thinking about enrolling your canine into obedience classes, you may want to call your local vet or check out your local pet food store for info on classes and costs.

7. Save some money for extras such as toys, treats and/or aquarium decorations. Pets are like children and they enjoy little perks like this, so don't forget to spoil your babies every now and then and calculate this into your pet upkeep costs as well.

Tips & Warnings

• If you are in a tough financial situation, many cities have free pet clinics that offer free or reduced pet health care services.
• If you do not have it in your heart to commit to the responsibility of raising animal (which includes the costs, time dedicated to caring for your animal, and having compassion/love for your animal), you are better off not getting one.