Becoming a pet owner sounds great to most people because it seems fun, harmless, and not so complicated. However, the cost of owning a pet might come as a shock to you, and thus the need to know what to expect beforehand.
It is almost always a great idea to adopt a pet because that provides a cozy, warm home for the animals at the shelters. However, before you commit to rushing down the shelter to pick out the animal that you prefer to share a home with, there are some costs that are involved and you need to familiarize yourself with them. Whether it is a cat, dog, fish, or pet snake, these animals will need to be budgeted for. Here are some of the costs you will likely encounter.
Adoption fee
If you decide to go for an exotic breed for example for a cat or dog, you will likely go to a certified breeder. These are individuals who breed and sell exotic animals for a living. In other words, you will be buying your preferred pet. However, if you adopt an animal from a shelter, your budget might be lower although you will still have to part with some cash.
Vet expenses.
If you do decide to adopt a cat or dog, then you should expect to pay between $50 and $150 mainly as the veterinary costs for making sure the animal is in good health before it is adopted. This is especially the case of animal shelters before an animal is adopted.
Medical examination
It is always a good idea to have your preferred pet that you want to adopt medically examined before you decide to take it home. This is for the purpose of identifying underlying illnesses and it might cost between $100 and $200.
Vaccination and chipping
Having a new pet vaccinated before taking it home is also another good idea so that you will not have to worry so much about the possibility of the pet catching common illnesses. The average cost of vaccinating a pet is between $50 and $100. Also, consider microchipping your pet before taking them home. It will likely cost from $50 to $100.
Neutering
You should also consider having it neutered especially if you do not want your pet to give birth, thus giving you more responsibility. Neutering a pet will set you back between $50 and $300.
Medical expenses and food
Once you take your pet home, you will incur more costs especially the cost of food for your pet, and you will also have to ensure it has good health, thus regular checkups will cost some cash. You might also have to spend extra on medical care if your pet falls ill.