The true cost of dog ownership

[MichaelT]

Surely it's cheaper to get a Thai lady than a dog

Problem is with them you sometimes get more than you want

 

[busby]

Its not the cost, it's the restriction they create....

We had to say goodbye to our dog of 16 years at the start of August '23.. We still talk about her everyday and miss the companionship, love and routine she provided us. However, it's really freed us up from responsibility on our travels. We can do what we want, when we went, for as long as we want now...

Same here we had dogs for 20 odd years..6 at one time.waifes and strays..First thing the wife noticed was not having to clean our conservatory twice a day and not wash blankets every day.BUSBY

 

[MichaelT]

Same here we had dogs for 20 odd years..6 at one time.waifes and strays..First thing the wife noticed was not having to clean our conservatory twice a day and not wash blankets every day.BUSBY

Should have got a Schnauzer, hypoallergenic, no hairs anywhere.

 

[Langtoftlad]

Pretty sure only thing on your house policy in the UK is for dog bites on your property and damage to your own property. And that assumes its covered at all, you need to check to be sure.

FYI Dogs Trust Membership is £12.50 for over sixties... £1million per claim public liability insurance.

Also Just smiffy Dogs Trust will look after your dog(s) if you die before them.

 

[busby]

Our dogs are our 'kids', we don't have any of the 'pink blob' ones so the hairy munchkins are our family. They can be a bit restrictive at time, or a flipping nuisance when I'm trying to do something and they insist on saying hello to me! We love them to bits though and certainly would have had a much experientially 'poorer' life by not having them.

They run and greet me as if they've not seem me for months, even if they've only been away for 5 minutes! They love cuddling and will just come not looking for anything except a snuggle, if I'm upset they'll come and give comfort to me and try to cheer me up, they bring me presents ... not always desirable ones though!

We talk to them like we would kiddies, they are our kids ... just a bit hairier than normal! Whilst they haven't actually said a 'word' as such (not like the That's Life "sausages" Yorkie) they do 'talk' to us with their eyes, ears, squeaks, barks, mumbles etc, body language, manner etc and understand us most of the time.

They amuse me, make me laugh, cheer me up and, as they do have their own individual personalities, sometimes they misbehave just like kids so aren't 'perfect' all the time as some people seem to want them to be. They love each other and are a joy to watch when playing, running around and experiencing things. We discover things that without them we wouldn't see so our world has been enriched from having them.

We've never had insurance - having up to 5 dogs at at time it would've been extortionate! We've always paid for medical treatment ourselves and must be quids in by now many times over despite having to pay around £2,500 in bills for Midge in the last 9 months of his life and probably £1,500 for Romy in her last couple of years. Food wise we've never gone in for/bought stupidly expensive 'fashion/fad' food, they have always had a good balanced diet with treats thrown in so it doesn't cost a lot and they have always been very healthy (other than illnesses that we couldn't have prevented) so how we look after them works too.

They can be tying at times but no one is truly free to do what they want all of the time and the benefits of having them far, far outweigh the negative - the only real downside is that they haven't yet mastered how to make the morning cuppa!

Or close a door after they open it and come in the room..BUSBY.

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[Northernraider]

Our dogs are our 'kids', we don't have any of the 'pink blob' ones so the hairy munchkins are our family. They can be a bit restrictive at time, or a flipping nuisance when I'm trying to do something and they insist on saying hello to me! We love them to bits though and certainly would have had a much experientially 'poorer' life by not having them.

They run and greet me as if they've not seem me for months, even if they've only been away for 5 minutes! They love cuddling and will just come not looking for anything except a snuggle, if I'm upset they'll come and give comfort to me and try to cheer me up, they bring me presents ... not always desirable ones though!

We talk to them like we would kiddies, they are our kids ... just a bit hairier than normal! Whilst they haven't actually said a 'word' as such (not like the That's Life "sausages" Yorkie) they do 'talk' to us with their eyes, ears, squeaks, barks, mumbles etc, body language, manner etc and understand us most of the time.

They amuse me, make me laugh, cheer me up and, as they do have their own individual personalities, sometimes they misbehave just like kids so aren't 'perfect' all the time as some people seem to want them to be. They love each other and are a joy to watch when playing, running around and experiencing things. We discover things that without them we wouldn't see so our world has been enriched from having them.

We've never had insurance - having up to 5 dogs at at time it would've been extortionate! We've always paid for medical treatment ourselves and must be quids in by now many times over despite having to pay around £2,500 in bills for Midge in the last 9 months of his life and probably £1,500 for Romy in her last couple of years. Food wise we've never gone in for/bought stupidly expensive 'fashion/fad' food, they have always had a good balanced diet with treats thrown in so it doesn't cost a lot and they have always been very healthy (other than illnesses that we couldn't have prevented) so how we look after them works too.

They can be tying at times but no one is truly free to do what they want all of the time and the benefits of having them far, far outweigh the negative - the only real downside is that they haven't yet mastered how to make the morning cuppa!

Ditto x10

 

[Minxy]

Lots of opinions but a few mentioned the one thing for me and that is when they die, I had a dog for 16yrs and it did cost me a small fortune in the early years with a lengthy stay at potters bar vet university but it paid off as she lived a good long life until 16, she was from Battersea dogs and she was my friend and was trained to accompany me everywhere without a lead…

I have six kids all grown now and none have died but when she went it must feel similar…

I've not had kids but can't imagine that there's not much difference to be honest - you love and care for them in a similar way and they tug at your heart strings likewise. We've had numerous dogs (and other pets), the dogs being Sally, Pootle, Barley, Poppy, Honey, Kizzie (aka Piggy), Midge, Romy, Lily plus our current Tazzy, Minky and Bella, they are/were all different and we love(d) every one of them and they love(d) us unconditionally. What more can you ask? It has been hard to lose them especially when they go at a younger age than they 'should' have but they and we have had the pleasure of knowing each other and that cannot be bettered.

I asked this question as I am responsible and would like to get another and Northernraider has got me thinking and possibly picking a stray when I’m next abroad and hopefully give it a better life…

But….. I am on a small income and I manage my money very well but any unforeseen circumstances could possibly mean that the dog could not have needed treatment and be put down and that would do me in if I had to kill a dog just because I couldn’t afford to keep it and keep it healthy….

I’m not in the best of health now either and would I live for another 10-15yrs…?

Think I’ve just answered myself….

It's difficult and I can understand your dilemma but none of us know what's round the corner, we've made provision for our dogs to be rehomed by a local animal shelter in the event that we both kick the bucket, they don't put dogs down and having had a dog from them previously know how well they look after those in their care. As for affording one, it doesn't have to cost the earth, you don't have to pay silly money for a dog, it's upkeep etc, just put a bit aside for the unexpected stuff if you can. If you can't look after a dog in the future, due to your health or theirs, or down to finances, there are other loving people who would do so or help with the money side, they wouldn't simply let an animal suffer or put it down so I don't know why people think that is going to happen to a dog which still has a good life to live.

Being more serious, getting a stray from abroad is a 'generous' thing to do but isn't necessarily the best in your circumstances where getting one from a shelter where they know the history and have observed how the dog is would give more assurance (although nothing can be guaranteed). I wouldn't go for a large dog but a smaller one that could sit on your knee when you needed it so (eg crossing a road) to keep it safe and you're more likely to be able to look after it generally too - we have smallish dogs and have stuck to them now as I can't lift what I used to and having had to deal with Romy when she was poorly (she was 25kg) I found it difficult to lift her when needed assistance, but Lily (7kg) was much easier, both were great dogs.

 

[Silver-Fox]

And many poor countries have many dogs. Stray dogs, yard dogs, mangy dogs, feral dog packs.

It's expensive because we make it so. If you never went to a vet or grooming parlour and fed the dog table scraps it probably wouldn't be prohibitively expensive.

We as in the UK have got sucked into expensive ownership.

Sky high vet fees and the like.

Doesn’t seem to be like that on mainland Europe, maybe they arnt so sentimental so don’t get mugged like us

 

[bobnick]

Problem is with them you sometimes get more than you want

Like a meat and 2 veg

 

[Silver-Fox]

Being more serious, getting a stray from abroad is a 'generous' thing to do but isn't necessarily the best in your circumstances where getting one from a shelter where they know the history and have observed how the dog is would give more assurance

There’s enough dogs that need homing in this Country.

I never understood why dogs need bringing into this Country.
Seems like some are even making a living out of bringing strays into this Country, what’s that all about

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[Coolcats]

It's an interesting question. Leaving aside your definition (which would be a whole different debate), what is it that people do when they have a dog in a particular (non-working, companionship) way?

It doesn't rely on the same reciprocity as some human relationships. That's illegal for starters. And it's not pure utility. That's for farmers.

But humans love art which doesn't reciprocate and which lacks utility. And they worry greatly about aspects of their environment (Charles about architecture, the government about newts and bats, Attenborough about lemurs, many of us about conservatories and wind farms) which just reflect how they prefer their world to appear to them.

So does it matter that my fish see me as an ill-defined pink blob, that my cat hardly cares at all, that my dog only speaks Labradese?

The definition is not mine it is from the Cambridge dictionary, I agree people do say they love art it that is not the same as the human relationship of love. It may well be a strong like but unless there is something clinically wrong you won’t marry the Mona Lisa.

So people may like their Dog but a dog does not love you. Do not get me wrong as I get the companionship part, taking the dog for a walk but as can be seen in many a dog rescue a dog will quickly engage with a new owner as they are a pack animal. Love does not come in to their vocabulary.

 

[Coolcats]

I’m sorry I just can’t agree with you on this, our dog LOVES us all UNCONDITIONALLY that’s not an assumption, that’s just a factual study of hours and hours spent with her and when we return to see her. She’s a guardian, she will put herself in the way of danger (yes it’s a fact we have witnessed many times) may be because of her breed, she is fearless, again because of her breed, but when with us she is the most loving creature we have ever come across, that my friend is a FACT. And there’s not a soul on this earth that will convince me otherwise

a Dog is a pack animal it will protect those in a pack it doesn’t live in the way a human does, you feed it take it for walks it’s what the pack in your case does, you may ‘Love’ your dog but it’s a dog

 

[Coolcats]

Sounds like crap to me, if I’m with a load of people why do my dogs go past all the other pink blobs and come to me if we are all pink blobs?
And why do dogs like certain people and not others if they are all viewed the same??

Dogs see the world through their nose, I assume some people smell nice to them, dogs can sense. If someone likes them. It’s probably more to do with pheromones and why do you think that dogs dont see you as a pink blob humans do have hair like a dog or cat does ?

 

[Langtoftlad]

Sky high vet fees and the like.

If you choose a vet who specialises in farm animals their prices tend to be more reasonable.
As do truly independent vet practices who are not part of any national conglomerate.

Many will offer a subscription health plan to build up a fund and/or easy repayment plans if treatment is difficult to afford all at once.

So insurance isn't always an essential expense.

 

[Silver-Fox]

As do truly independent vet practices who are not part of any national conglomerate.

We use/used a local vet they have two practices.

About 4 years ago took our dog in, vet saw her for about 10 minutes.

That cost £65 Thankyou very much.

I said to the receptionist I didn’t pick the right job on leaving school

Many will offer a subscription health plan to build up a fund and/or easy repayment plans if treatment is difficult to afford all at once.

But you are still paying out x amount wether building up a fund or paying on the knock.

Why do vets in France seem a lot more reasonable on costs

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[Just smiffy]

There’s enough dogs that need homing in this Country.

I never understood why dogs need bringing into this Country.
Seems like some are even making a living out of bringing strays into this Country, what’s that all about

The stories and from what I’ve read puts me off getting a dog from a rescue centre as now it seems like a business…. Besides, I don’t think they’d let me have one….

I’d like a dog to pick me and being on my travels that’s more likely…

 

[Langtoftlad]

Why do vets in France seem a lot more reasonable on costs

I'd imagine property costs come into it.
As a comparison - Kerry had a consultation (about 15min) just last year when she hurt her leg falling up the stairs... cost £43
Pretty reasonable I thought.

As for health schemes vs insurance... big difference is that the fund is there & can be refunded if you don't use it rather than premiums that are gone as soon as you pay them

 

[PaulW2]

The definition is not mine it is from the Cambridge dictionary, I agree people do say they love art it that is not the same as the human relationship of love. It may well be a strong like but unless there is something clinically wrong you won’t marry the Mona Lisa.

So people may like their Dog but a dog does not love you. Do not get me wrong as I get the companionship part, taking the dog for a walk but as can be seen in many a dog rescue a dog will quickly engage with a new owner as they are a pack animal. Love does not come in to their vocabulary.

That's what I meant - it's a whole other debate

The dictionary gives a potted summary of popular usage at best. We have a range of emotions and attach the label of love to a particular manifestation. But the love for our parents isn't like the love for our friends, or our children, or our romantic love. Our romantic love in turn changes character with the passage of time and the hormonal ebb and flows. The notion of marrying for romantic 'love', as you may know, has also been far from universal in human history.

Then we have love of our people - those who are like us. Do we mean very local, or slightly less local, or country? Or our sports club, or those who vote like us? These are all what we may call imagined communities - we don't even know the people individually. Yet we go to war for this thing we profess to love. And we gather in our tens of thousands to sing and chant for this thing. What is this love that sings when it's winning?

Do we love nature, or the environment, or animals, or our homes, our possessions, our music, our hobbies, or do we need entirely new words there?

No, the word 'love' that we use is a wide umbrella that is cast over a very wide array of relations and sentimental attachments.

And the emotions that are in play when we use this word, where do they come from? Are they unique to humans? Well, no, we are biological creatures with many shared mammalian features. Brain structures, hormones, the whole thing.

We've seen the videos of mammalian mothers protecting their young. What is that? Instinct, one may say? But then what is our own love response? Considered and reasoned? Of course not. It's hormonal, instinctive, uncalculating.

So why would we presume that it's that different? There's nothing in science or biology that would suggest it's very different.

 

[Speve]

The stories and from what I’ve read puts me off getting a dog from a rescue centre as now it seems like a business…. Besides, I don’t think they’d let me have one….

I’d like a dog to pick me and being on my travels that’s more likely…

We got our Charlie from the RSPCA and they asked for £150 to cover vets fees and that was all so they are not making a fortune we actually gave more as to buy a dog these days can be in £1000s
he is a Patterdale and had a bad start he is only just two years old. There are plenty of lovely rescue dogs in this country and you will be allowed to let the dog pick you as if they don’t think you and them don’t match you won’t get him.
Go on give it a try you won’t regret doing it and may come away with a lovely companion for years

 

[Coastal Cruiser.]

Dogs see the world through their nose, I assume some people smell nice to them, dogs can sense. If someone likes them. It’s probably more to do with pheromones and why do you think that dogs dont see you as a pink blob humans do have hair like a dog or cat does ?

I bow down to your superior knowledge

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[Helen Ariel]

Personally I don’t think dogs love humans, or cats for that matter

It's called oxytocin. If you can call that chemical process in human to human love then it's also love when human and dog.

 

[Coolcats]

I bow down to your superior knowledge
View attachment 854294

lol that made me chuckle

Seriously though dogs vision is different to humans you should know this as a dog owner

 

[Coolcats]

It's called oxytocin. If you can call that chemical process in human to human love then it's also love when human and dog.

Of course Oxytocin is present for all mammalians but that is not the be all and end all for love. You may be correct that whilst oxytocin may be generated ask yourself if it’s reciprocal as it’s probably not

 

[Coolcats]

I bet you're fun at parties

What's a Party

 

[Coolcats]

Our dogs are our 'kids', we don't have any of the 'pink blob' ones so the hairy munchkins are our family. They can be a bit restrictive at time, or a flipping nuisance when I'm trying to do something and they insist on saying hello to me! We love them to bits though and certainly would have had a much experientially 'poorer' life by not having them.

They run and greet me as if they've not seem me for months, even if they've only been away for 5 minutes! They love cuddling and will just come not looking for anything except a snuggle, if I'm upset they'll come and give comfort to me and try to cheer me up, they bring me presents ... not always desirable ones though!

We talk to them like we would kiddies, they are our kids ... just a bit hairier than normal! Whilst they haven't actually said a 'word' as such (not like the That's Life "sausages" Yorkie) they do 'talk' to us with their eyes, ears, squeaks, barks, mumbles etc, body language, manner etc and understand us most of the time.

They amuse me, make me laugh, cheer me up and, as they do have their own individual personalities, sometimes they misbehave just like kids so aren't 'perfect' all the time as some people seem to want them to be. They love each other and are a joy to watch when playing, running around and experiencing things. We discover things that without them we wouldn't see so our world has been enriched from having them.

We've never had insurance - having up to 5 dogs at at time it would've been extortionate! We've always paid for medical treatment ourselves and must be quids in by now many times over despite having to pay around £2,500 in bills for Midge in the last 9 months of his life and probably £1,500 for Romy in her last couple of years. Food wise we've never gone in for/bought stupidly expensive 'fashion/fad' food, they have always had a good balanced diet with treats thrown in so it doesn't cost a lot and they have always been very healthy (other than illnesses that we couldn't have prevented) so how we look after them works too.

They can be tying at times but no one is truly free to do what they want all of the time and the benefits of having them far, far outweigh the negative - the only real downside is that they haven't yet mastered how to make the morning cuppa!

Similar to yourselves we do not have kids, but we do love cats and I would be the last to say that Dogs and cats do not bring pleasure to many households, and yes they do make you laugh


But I noted your comment about making Tea in the morning and whilst I cant claim our cats do this, you could always treat yourself to a Teasmaide, apparently you can still buy them and are sold in Argos.

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[Gina M]

I don't care how much they cost. I just love em. Mr Gina M says I am spending too much on feeding the birds too till I told him I know how much he spends on kickboxing sessions and his personal trainer every week

 

[Helen Ariel]

Of course Oxytocin is present for all mammalians but that is not the be all and end all for love. You may be correct that whilst oxytocin may be generated ask yourself if it’s reciprocal as it’s probably not

How do you know that's not the be all and end all of love? Love is just a vague woolly concept so I don't think you can tell all us dog owners who say we have experienced love with a dog that dogs don't 'love'
Love is either a vague concept a bit like god that some people see in many different ways and forms or not at all OR if you want to be confident that a dog does or doesn't love then you should use the scientific method of describing love. I would never be so bold to say that I know exactly what makes a feeling between 2 living beings love or not it could well just be a chemical process as we actually understand very little about brains and how feelings work.

This study though states that dogs do get an oxytocin surge from human interaction as do we so personally I think that's as close as proof you can get that dogs can 'love'

Broken Link Removed

 

[Northernraider]

I can categorically state I've felt more loved by my dogs than I ever felt with any woman I've been involved with.

And they don't give you the silent treatment or hold grudges etc either.

 

[Nanniemate]

Sounds like crap to me, if I’m with a load of people why do my dogs go past all the other pink blobs and come to me if we are all pink blobs?
And why do dogs like certain people and not others if they are all viewed the same??

Because you smell different to the other blobs

 

[Helen Ariel]

Even if a dog does form it's connection due being fed and stroked why does that mean it's not love? Is there really such a thing as unconditional love? Everyone wants things from each other it doesn't mean it's not love.

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