Little controversial topic here, just in time for Christmas, and I’m sure I’ll piss off half the readers, but as a vet who has serviced lower to middle classed clients, I have some strong feelings about how much you should be able to afford for your pets. Do I think you should do every possible thing for your pet? Absolutely not. I had a friend who told me you shouldn’t get a dog unless you are willing to spend $1M on chemotherapy and I’m very certainly not there. It almost feels stupid having to say what I’m going to say, but I’ll still piss some people off. (granted I’ve found being on the internet, you could say you love puppies and get reamed by at least 17 people for that)
Let’s start at the VERY VERY VERY bare minimum. Husbandry. Basically, knowing what kind of environment, feeding, watering, etc your pet will need for basic survival. Not to mention the longevity, sexual maturity, behavior, or even the sex of the animal. Cats: food, water, litterbox/outside access. Dogs: food, water, outside access. (These are also good husbandry for the people living in the house so there’s not an accumulation of ammonia and fecal material every where). Farm mammals: food, CLEAN water, dry bedding, good air flow. Chickens: food, CLEAN water, dry bedding, shelter. Aquatics, reptiles, exotic mammals, birds, etc: I HAVE NO CLUE and likely most people who get these as pets also have no clue and that’s just irresponsible at best and abuse at worst.
Working as large animal vet in a rural small town area, I got to see a lot of situations that would have worked out so much better if the farmer had basic husbandry knowledge before imprisoning these poor animals. “Well, I think your calves are all dying because they’re exposed to cold and rain in a 4×4 hutch with no bedding, just laying in mud and feces.” “Umm, cows aren’t supposed to survive on corn alone, that’s why they’re so sick. I don’t care what the 4H person told you to get him to gain as much weight as possible.” On the other end: “Ummm, cows can’t live on straw (they weren’t feeding hay, they were feeding straw – it would be like feeding a human peanut shells instead of peanuts) while standing in 4 feet of mud.”
I feel like MOST people have the basics for dogs and cats, but it baffles me how many people will go out and purchase an exotic pet without any research. When my daughter begged and begged for an axolotl, I spent almost a year researching. I got in touch with a vet who treats exotics and breeds axolotls, spent about three months getting the water parameters just right, fought (and still fight) my stupid urge to add more creatures to her tank (they can pick at/hurt the axolotl and cause infections), and whenever she is acting off, I get in touch with a vet group to get advice. It absolutely terrified me to think about putting an animal in captivity with no options to escape a bad situation and be forced to suffer in my care. Many people don’t know that there aren’t very many exotics vets. Most small animal clinics are just dogs and cats and when their lizard is bloated and laying on the floor, they can’t find a vet right away because they haven’t researched where to find an exotics vet. They are also surprised by the cost of a vet visit. “The hamster was only $30, why is the bill $200?!”
Next, let’s move on to basic medical care. Like it or not, the basics your vet talks about are pretty necessary. It’s fun to say you don’t believe in vaccines when you haven’t had to care for/euthanize puppies, kittens, horses, cows, etc who are suffering from a very easily preventable diseases just because their owner decided they were more of an expert than the doctor. Or having to sever the head off a perfectly happy healthy animal who is purring and bumping you because it wasn’t vaccinated for rabies and bit someone (no, I’m not bitter). Basic parasite treatment cause lord knows where that puppy/kitten came from, vaccinations against common and very deadly diseases, and then prevention from those parasites that also bring disease and suffering – and YES, your pet can get almost all the parasites and their diseases from them just staying in your house. Your pet that you have taken in is 100% relying on your care to make them safe and comfortable.
Next, is their reproductive life. I know in some other countries, most people do not spay/neuter regularly, but I also feel like they don’t have the stray/shelter situation we do. So, in the US, I tell people that if you have a female dog that you’re not going to breed (and you really shouldn’t breed until your dog passes all the health checks common for that breed AND have an amazing personality – even at the vet’s office) that you spay her before or around 1 year of age. If not, they are more prone to mammary cancer later in life or a very dangerous emergency called a pyometra where the uterus becomes a giant sack of pus and they can quickly become septic and die – and it will be about 4-6x the cost of a routine spay. I also recommend spaying before their first heat if you don’t have a physical structure (fence, leash walked only keeping them from running away or attracting a stray male to come into your underground fenced yard and breeding her.
If you have a male dog, there aren’t nearly as many health hazards as a female, but, still, if you can’t physically keep your dog in your yard (underground fences don’t count cause a dog will break through if a female is in heat) I recommend neutering to prevent impregnating the neighborhood – and they’re more likely to get hit by a car, shot by a hunter/farmer/neighbor, injured, or picked up by someone who thinks they’re a stray because they’ll be more likely to wander where they’re not supposed to be.
If you have a cat – male or female, you’ll want to get them spayed and neutered without much provocation from me. Or you will if you don’t yet. The males will spray and STINK, the females will be pole dancing every few months, or sometimes constantly and driving you crazy.
So, then once you’ve established your pet with the best start of life you can, they will STILL need medical care the rest of their lives. They will need to booster their vaccines every 1-3 years, they will need to stay on parasite prevention ALL YEAR in most places. It’s so heartbreaking to see an animal bald, red, covered in scabs and fleas and just miserable scratching itself raw and the owner can’t afford flea prevention or allergy medication. This animal that you’ve taken into your home who can’t get away to find better care is then forced to suffer with miserable itching, bleeding, infection, disease, parasites because you didn’t consider money before getting a pet. (Yes, some people fall into hard times, I’m talking about people who don’t have funds to begin with). Am I a heartless person who only cares about money – absolutely not. I’m just being real with you and telling you you’ll need to consider ALL this before you just go out and pick up an animal and trap it in your care.
Remember, if you’re not giving the animal a better life, you’re not rescuing it, you’re just relocating it.
I went through the charges here at the clinic I work which is mostly middle of the road pricing. We’re not in an incredibly affluent area, but also not in the middle of nowhere, so, obviously prices will vary based on your location and cost of living. For our clinic, if you’re getting a puppy, go ahead and plan for $1200 for the first year – this includes office visits, vaccinations, deworming, fecal, heartworm, flea, tick prevention for the year, and spay/neuter. Then, after that, plan on around a minimum of $550-650 per year – annual office visit, basic vaccines, heartworm test, heartworm/flea/tick prevention for the year. And if you’re getting an English bulldog, pug, other smushed faced dogs, go ahead and double those numbers.
I did the same for a cat and the first year for a kitten including office visits, basic vaccines, flea/tick prevention for the year, spay/neuter would be around $400 for a female and $250 for a male. After that, plan on a minimum of $250-400 per year depending on the prevention you choose.
If you really love animals – I mean REALLY love animals, think and plan before bringing one home. Pets are not a necessity, they are a commitment and, frankly, a privilege. If you can’t afford basic care, and you just want something soft to cuddle at night, just get a stuffed animal – Squishmallows are nice.
Absolutely spot on. Basic care, food etc is roughly 500-1000. I am single with 2 dogs and a cat. I put 50/check in a separate account and use that to care for them. Got a puppy hurt last week and we are over 800 trying to figure out what is wrong and some medicine.
Hope your family and you have a Merry Christmas
Kind regards
This is why I adore you and would gladly have you as my vet. I am very lucky with the vet I do have for the past 24 yrs for a JRT (put down at 14 yrs) and two rescue kitties ( 11 and 9). They are exactly like you and even the vets at Dr Pol’s office who tell it like it is and will do everything possible or will tell you it’s too much for the animal.
I wish there were more vets like that as many as you probably know will say to send a 16yr old dog for CAT scans or MRI’s to rule out diseases just for the money when they know full well that it’s just age.
Very well said and painfully true for those of us who love our animals. Over the years having owned eight dogs, two horses, five cats, and assorted parakeets. Since I am now retired, I now find I no longer can financially provide the care they all received when they were my responsibility. When said goodbye to my last kitty this past August, I realized he was going to be my last pet. I personally couldn’t handle not providing my pets with the proper care. Now I pass the time taking care of my indoor garden. Not the same of course. But I do have many pictures to take me down memory. lane
Totally agree with you. I wish more people would listen to you.
Always love to read your blog. You tell it like it is. I hate to see someone with a pet that does not even do basic care. I had a Springer Spaniel who was allergic to flea medicine and fleas. I combed her 3 times a day so she could have quality of life. Keep up your great posts.
Well said, as usual. And happy holidays to you and your family.
Amen!!!! I have rescue numerous animals out of horrible situations. I have paid the vet bills to treat, loved on them, and saved them from death. Most turn out great and live long healthy live but every once in a while, I get a Dobbie. Dobbie is my 14-year-old min pin with some kind of neurological disease. He is healthy. I guess he’s happy but we have a ton of problems with them. But when I see him run up the hill play with his brothers and sisters that five minutes of joy makes it all worth it. Yes I spent a lot of money on them keeping them healthy and happy and I think it’s worth it. I’m in for the long haul no matter what the issues. I agree more people need to look into what goes into taking care of pets and livestock. I’ve had both my whole life. I’m not the richest person in the world, but I’ve enjoyed every one of them and will keep doing it till I can no longer afford animals
Thank you!
Thank you, Dr Emily. When we were looking for a new rescue three plus years ago it was interesting to complete the application forms. My favorite was the one where we ended up getting approved and which asked great questions like “How much do you think it will cost per year to keep this rescue? What will those expenses include?” It really helped them see who understood the commitment anld future expenses that will inevitably arise. You are such an advocate for animals and I appreciate that so much.
Thank you!!!!!
Thanks for your total honesty and forethoughts about having a pet.
Being a responsible pet owner can be expensive.
All that is true HOWEVER Id rather see an unvaccinated pet be in a loving caring home then sitting in some cage somewhere…
Thank you – honest and well said. May I share it?
Best wishes for Christmas and the new year.
Thank you for this post and for being so straightforward. Over the 30 years my husband and I have lived at our house in the country, we’ve cared for many cats. Some we got on purpose, but most came to us as strays likely dumped by someone that couldn’t care for it or decided they didn’t want to. Fortunately we’ve been able to care for their needs. I appreciate having a vet who, like yourself, will fully explain all the options so I can make an informed decision (and who doesn’t recommend treatment just for the money!).
Wishing you and your family the best this holiday season ❤️
Thank you for reminding everyone about the costs of pet care. So many animals are given around the holidays and then, in a few months, all of these issues come up that were not thought of at the time of the purchase. Happy holidays to you and your family.
Very well said. We have had pets . We don’t have any now. We are both older and have medical problems ourselves. I love animals but just don’t think I could care for one now.
Thank you for saying this in a very clear and understandable way.
God bless you and your family.Have a very Merry Christmas.
Just in case you get negative comments, this is 100% accurate! You are correct. Pets need care and attention. And be prepared for certain dog breeds to eat anything and everything which might lead to foreign object removal surgery. Pets are a commitment, time wise and financially! Merry Christmas!
Thanks so much for posting this. There’s a cat in our neighborhood who always gets out, and her parents post on the neighborhood FB page asking she be let out because she’s friendly and lovely and people tend to think she’s a stray in spite of her collar and take her in. (I know we toyed with the idea, but again that collar–it deterred us.) To make matters worse, she has health issues and needs special food, so please don’t feed her. Now it seems she’s going after birds, but oops, she got out again.
Sorry this got longwinded, but thank you again for hopefully waking people up.
100 % agree with everything you said. I had always wanted to be a vet but realized I would not be able to handle the owners. Having a pet is a financial commitment — as, I would argue, is having children (don’t get me started on that).
You have a tough job and I commend you for your blunt and factual post.
This this this!!!
I haven’t been a vet tech in 20 years now, but this, 100%. I regularly saw situations where I knew people were in over their heads. And to be candid, I have only one cat now because he has kidney disease and liver issues, and I can barely afford his care and food. I already had to cancel his insurance when they raised his rates higher than I could afford, but weren’t covering anything because they considered everything a pre-existing condition. Just to give you another example, my cat was healthy until he hit about 10. Then his kidney levels started. His Kidney Diet food order is over $200 every 2-3 months. And he gets bloodwork to monitor his liver and kidneys every 6 months which runs me over $300. When his liver issues started, there was a bile acid test, which was pretty expensive as well. I’m very thankful for CareCredit, which has afforded me the opportunity to pay his bills off in installments, but Pets. Be. Expensive!
Thank you for posting this. I really hope people read and absorb it!
You’re 100% right. I had a houseful of various critters plus my mother’s who moved in with me when she became unable to care for herself. THEN I had a catastrophic medical situation and suddenly I was on disability and had to re-evaluate everything. Most if the animals were over 10 years; every rescue told me they were full and to take them to the pound. I couldn’t do it. Our local pound is really great but they are a kill shelter. I researched my area and found an organization which did spay/neuter on a sliding scale. I asked my veterinarian how I could cut costs further; in our area you are allowed to give all the shots yourself EXCEPT the rabies vaccine. The vet gave me instruction on how to do the vaccines. That was a huge help. The cats all stayed inside, the dogs were in and out. We made it through and now are down to 3 dogs + one cat. I’ve gotten my animals from rescues all my life but I can’t rescue any more right now. Taking care of the ones I’ve currently got is my priority. Side note: You look GREAT! Very glad you’re happy and doing so well.
Hi Emily, haven’t seen a post from you in dooooo long m so glad to see it on my email. I totally agree with all you said. I hope to see more of your posts again and see how your kids have grown. .merry christmas .pat from michigan.
I totally agree with you!
Great posting! I agree with everything you said. I’ve seen too many times, even some in my own family…people who can hardly afford to feed themselves deciding to buy or take on a dog or a cat. Of course, it never works out well for the animal.
You are so right. The animals are gift we have to treasure. Having lost one this year it broke my heart. My other one is 11 years old. I spend more on her then myself.
100% on point
I completely agree with everything you are saying. Unfortunately, we live during a time when people seldom think past the end of their noses when bringing a pet home. For instance, spending quite a bit of money on a working dog breed and then keeping the poor thing in a crate all day. Then, complaining about how hyper the dog is. HELLO – what did you think would happen? So that’s my rant for today. Keep up the good work, you are an amazing person!!
Always enjoy reading your insight into pet issues.
Thank you, thank you, thank you Dr. Emily for your post. I am a lifelong animal mom. We have had rats, birds, and cats. We researched each animals’ care before embarking on adopting them. We had an exotic vet for our rats and thankfully we were working when we had them as their care can be expensive and, sadly, their lives are very short. My husband would like a couple of dogs after our last of 7 cats passes on and I will show him your post so he knows what the cost will be to properly care for a dog. We are now retired and neither of us wants to go back to work so we will approach a companion dog with eyes wide open.
Dr. Emily, you just described my neighbors. I have anxiety over the care their animals DO NOT RECEIVE. Animals have died ( froze to death) , fleas, skinny etc. There is no one to call to check on the animals. One dies, they get another. They don’t spay/neuter the cats either. They have dogs, cats, rabbit, chicken’s and whatever else they decide they want. So sad. I am animal lover (1 dog, 1 horse) and would love another of each but realize I can not afford to properly care for more than 1 of each. You didn’t make me mad, finally someone said what needs to be said!!!!!! Thank you
I have a short story. When my husband and I got married after awhile I asked if we could get a cat or have a baby. We had a baby boy. Some years go by. Same question. Cat or baby. We had another boy. Lol. My boys are 35 and almost 30. I still can’t get a cat. Can’t afford it.
Absolutely spot on!!!! A commitment to a Christmas pet present isn’t just for that one day! It’s for the life of the Christmas present. People going in need to make sure the person who receives this present is going to be responsible for it. Thank you for saying what needs to be said! I hope people pay attention!!!
Merry Christmas!
Spot on. Just had this conversation with my grand dughter who is an Animal Control Officer.
Spot on!! We miss you up here in Rosebush!! Happy holidays to you and your beautiful family!!!
Alexandra
Well said Dr. Emily!
You wouldn’t think your post was necessary, but I guess if you lived in a cave, you might not know all the things you said. I watch Horse Plus Humane Society YouTube channel. The severe neglect cases are unending. Horrible!!
Good article, Dr. Emily!