Providing a furry friend with a forever home an extra boost of happiness, especially if you need a bit of extra companionship. With animal shelters looking for quality pet parents every day, the pet industry is booming, and more and more families are finding that giving a home to a new cat or dog has a great deal of benefits. However, when you adopt a pet, you’re adopting a living creature that comes with costs, and it’s important to not overlook that fact before you visit your local shelter or breeder.
Before you take the plunge in bringing home a new pet, here are some of the costs that you can expect to incur along the way:
- What kind of food will you choose? While this might seem like a question with a clear answer, there are a wide variety of pet foods and brands a pet parent can buy for different dietary needs or medical conditions. Before you settle on a brand, you’ll want to do your research. If the pet you choose to adopt is overweight, you’ll likely want to consider a weight-friendly type of food; if you’re adopting a kitten or a puppy, they will also need a certain type of food designed for babies for the first year of their life. Senior pets also require special food that might cost a few extra dollars.
- Finding the right veterinarian for your pet’s long-term health. Just like you want to find the appropriate doctor for your personal health, your pet will need a veterinarian who you can trust and who can offer the best services for the best price. While you can take advantage of free or discounted clinics at shelters for regular vaccinations or microchips, you want a vet for regular checkups, when your pet falls ill, or if they need a medical procedure. Many pet parents have found that searching online for reviews helps find the right vet in their area that will best suit their needs.
- Keeping your pet well groomed and trained. These two expenditures are mainly for dog parents, but they’re important nonetheless. Some dogs benefit greatly from “obedience school” where they and their owner can develop the best tools to coexist with other dogs and humans. However, before you spend the money, spend some time with your pup to determine if the cost is necessary. With regards to grooming, some dog parents find that they can bathe and groom their pup at home, but hiring a groomer on a semi-regular basis can help with tasks better left to professionals, such as nail clipping and ear cleaning.