The Cost of Caring For a Pet

The initial cost of buying your pet is usually the cheapest part, and their first year is usually the most expensive for you vet wise.

Vaccinations

Young animals need a course of vaccinations. You buy your pup or kitten with it already having had one injection, but they will need two more. Horses, sheep, goats and cows need vaccines too.

There are many vaccines available, covering a wide range of diseases - which you chose depends on your life style. Will you be travelling with your pet to strange places, boarding it a lot, do you live in an area where there are many infectious diseases? Costs of vaccines depend on how many and what diseases they cover. You pet will then need an annual vaccination to keep their immunity up.

Microchipping

As of September the 1st, 2001, microchipping is compulsory for all cats and dogs in NSW.
It is against the law to own an animal that is not microchipped.
If your pet arrives at a council facility and is not microchipped there may be a considerable fine.

Microchipping is cheap

Your animal must still be registered with your local council, but instead of paying an annual fee, your registration is for the pet's lifetime and is linked to the microchip. Check with your local council fro pricing of lifetime registration.

Desexing

It is recommended that you desex your cat or dog by 6 months of age. Cost vary greatly depending on the size and sex of the animal being desexed.

Parasite Control

Feeding is a ongoing cost, but so is worming, heartworm control, and in some areas, flea and tick preventatives.
Have a chat to your vet or vet nurse about what sort of pet you are buying and what expected "running costs" will be, BEFORE you buy. Some breeds are more likely to have certain medical problems as they get older so have a chat to the vet staff about this too.

Emergencies

Young animals are more likely to eat things they shouldn’t in their quest to explore the environment.

Poisons can lead to all sorts of problems, socks, toys fishing hooks etc can lead to major surgery. Wrong plants etc can cause upset tummies that need medical treatment.
Then of course there are accidents involving falling off things, running into things or wandering and being hit by a car!

Orthopedics (eg. broken bones) are usually very expensive, with animals usually needing x-rays to start with, anesthetics, possibly more x-rays and surgery as treatment progresses and casting materials or pins and screws, all of which can be expensive. It is not unusual for bad pelvic fractures or very badly smashed up legs to need specialist surgery in Sydney, and bills can easily reach $3,000-$5,000! Insurance is a big bonus in these situations. Discuss insurance with your own insurance company (and take advice from a financial adviser or broker if necessary), we have pamphlets for several companies in the surgery.

Animals bring great joy and happiness into our lives, but at times also financial responsibility. Thinking ahead can save you agonising decisions in the future in regards to getting treatment for your pet.