OWNING A DOG IN CANADA CAN BE RUFF ON THE WALLET!

Food is typically the largest cost of the annual expenses for pet parents to keep up with, typically spending between $450 – $2,300 depending on the brand and how much your dog needs to eat.

The cost of pet ownership is rising, especially with the rate of inflation these days, but it may surprise you how much it costs to keep Spot happy and healthy.

“There is no doubt that dogs improve our quality of life,” says HelloSafe, the company that provided the study. “There are studies showing that simply petting a dog can decrease the level of stress hormones and boost the release of serotonin. Dogs are arguably the greatest companion you can have and with the pandemic in 2020, we’ve seen a 250 per cent increase in pet adoptions all around the world.”

But some new pandemic pet parents are surprised by ownership costs.

There are many factors contributing to the cost based on where you live, whether you adopt or get your dog from a breeder, and your lifestyle. So what exactly does it cost to own a dog in Canada in 2022?

The annual cost of owning a dog in Canada ranges from $3,530 to $4,410.

There are many one-time expenses when you first bring your pup home and factors such as breed, adoption, and how much you splurge on the essentials all play a part.

Another factor to consider is whether or not your new four-legged friend is spayed or neutered, which could cost about $600 – if you’re adopting from a rescue, the rescue typically covers the price of spaying and neutering.

Vaccinations, regular vet check-ups, and preventative care are part of being a responsible owner and keeping your pup happy and healthy. This is especially important for puppies and typically costs around $300 – $400, as well as microchipping ($60) if that is something you’re interested in.

It’s okay to deck your dog out in the latest branded collar, leash, or poop bags and accessories. This does add to the upfront initial costs, averaging around $100 depending on your personal spending. Other gear that you might want to consider as an upfront cost might include a crate ($70-$300), a bed ($50 – $250), toys ($50), and treats ($50). All important and essential to keeping your pup happy.

After setting up and welcoming your new dog home, there are also annual costs that pet parents should maintain that add up to (on the lower end) $510 – $3,360 per year.

Food is typically the largest cost of the annual expenses for pet parents to keep up with, typically spending between $450 – $2,300 depending on the brand and how much your dog needs to eat. Many dog parents opt for fresh dog food or dry food to be delivered to your doorstep, which can cost upwards of $2,000.

Routine vet visits are a must if you want to keep your pup healthy and in good shape, which costs around $200 – $400 a year. Not including preventative care such as flea and tick prevention (averaging about $100-$250) and heartworm prevention (averaging about $50-$200). Between keeping your dog happy and healthy on the inside, keeping your dog’s teeth with regular oral care/dental chews and general grooming could cost between $50 – $200 annually.

As for toys, treats, and poop bags, all pet parents know that these items are a part of your everyday essentials. Treats and toys, which could be one of the biggest expenses (depending on splurge, brand and your dog) could cost a parent anywhere from $85 – $300. Poop bags are on the lower end and cost about $30 a year for most dog owners.

Pet insurance is often not something pet parents immediately opt into right off the bat, but if they choose to, could cost ~$1,000 a year.

With many pet parents having the flexibility to work from home during unprecedented times, pet parents may be interested in looking into dog walking or doggy daycare, averaging $32 – $100 per session for daycare and $15-$20 per walk.

If you have a special breed that requires a lot of maintenance such as Italian Greyhounds or Cocker Spaniel, that is something you’ll have to consider: accessories (sweaters, boots, jackets). Especially in Canada where we experience different seasons, this could cost pet parents between $100 – $150.

This report has been integrated upon data provided to HelloSafe by Kabo.