How much will a pet cost?

Pets sometimes cost a lot of money to buy, and they can also cost a lot of money to keep.   Dogs, for example, will need somewhere to sleep - bedding or a kennel, toys to play and exercise with, a collar and leash, or harness, grooming tools and food and water bowls.  Costs may also include council registration, microchipping, vaccination, worming, vet bills, grooming, de-sexing, obedience training, and boarding.   Even animals that are cheap to purchase, like fish, birds and guinea pigs, can cost a lot of money when it comes to buying and setting up tanks, cages, hutches etc.

Health requirements for cats & dogs

There is a range of costs associated with the on-going health of your pet. Cats and dogs need to have a series of vaccinations during their first sixteen weeks and then have annual boosters. It is also beneficial to have all (pets, not being kept for breeding purposes, desexed. This is a relatively routine and safe surgical procedure and should be carried out on the advice of your veterinarian. They will also need regular worming and flea control.

Our pets need to visit the Vet for check ups and injections to keep them healthy. We also need to treat them for worms and fleas. Vets look after our pets the same way doctors look after us.

Feeding requirements

All pets require balanced diets, however their needs are different. Cats, for example, require a diet that is very high in protein. Regardless of whether you choose to purchase a commercially produced food or prepare your own there is a weekly cost involved. Obviously considerations such as size, age and activity levels will impact on the amount of food and the number of meals required per day.

Registration for cats and dogs

Cats and dogs must be registered with the local council when they reach three months of age and must be re-registered every year. Cats and dogs are required to wear a collar and registration identification tag when they are not on your property. It is advisable for them to wear their tags at all times for easy identification and return in case they accidentally escape their confined area. This is one of the major advantages of registration. Reduced registration fees are available if your cat/dog is desexed, is permanently identified, has passed an approved basic obedience course, is over ten years of age, or is owned by a person who is a member of an organization approved by the Government.

Choosing a Pet info courtesy of Bureau of Animal Welfare