Comments on: How Much Does It Cost To Own Different Kinds Of Animals? http://www.mytwodollars.com/2009/04/16/how-much-does-it-cost-to-own-different-kinds-of-animals/ A place to discuss money...for the rest of us. Mon, 23 Nov 2009 05:09:30 -0500 hourly 1 By: Doug Stewart http://www.mytwodollars.com/2009/04/16/how-much-does-it-cost-to-own-different-kinds-of-animals/comment-page-1/#comment-33442 Doug Stewart Sun, 05 Jul 2009 06:51:15 +0000 http://www.mytwodollars.com/?p=2014#comment-33442 Opps...In my previous message, that should have read 700 pounds per month in the UK (for stabling, not counting other costs such as vet). Opps…In my previous message, that should have read 700 pounds per month in the UK (for stabling, not counting other costs such as vet).

]]> By: Doug Stewart http://www.mytwodollars.com/2009/04/16/how-much-does-it-cost-to-own-different-kinds-of-animals/comment-page-1/#comment-33439 Doug Stewart Sat, 04 Jul 2009 23:17:06 +0000 http://www.mytwodollars.com/?p=2014#comment-33439 The cost of a horse varies so much. I have a horse breeder friend with 120 horses in northern British Columbia who keeps them in a 'natural' state. They live semi-wild (no stall, no shelter, not even when giving birth). Just a bit of hay (purchased in volume) in winter. Costs him about $50 per horse, per year. When I lived in the UK, near the towns you could spend 700 pounds ($1000) per year, if you used a professional stable. It is all about where you are, how you keep the horse, what you use it for (shows and competitions are very expensive) and how lucky you are (bad case of colic requiring surgery can set you back $5000 or more). Here is a calculator which might be of interest: http://wowhorses.com/cost-of-a-horse.html The cost of a horse varies so much. I have a horse breeder friend with 120 horses in northern British Columbia who keeps them in a ‘natural’ state. They live semi-wild (no stall, no shelter, not even when giving birth). Just a bit of hay (purchased in volume) in winter. Costs him about $50 per horse, per year. When I lived in the UK, near the towns you could spend 700 pounds ($1000) per year, if you used a professional stable. It is all about where you are, how you keep the horse, what you use it for (shows and competitions are very expensive) and how lucky you are (bad case of colic requiring surgery can set you back $5000 or more). Here is a calculator which might be of interest: http://wowhorses.com/cost-of-a-horse.html

]]> By: Becky@FamilyandFinances http://www.mytwodollars.com/2009/04/16/how-much-does-it-cost-to-own-different-kinds-of-animals/comment-page-1/#comment-32552 Becky@FamilyandFinances Sun, 19 Apr 2009 13:44:18 +0000 http://www.mytwodollars.com/?p=2014#comment-32552 I agree with Squawkfox on the horse. I've owned mine since I was 10, and she's always lived on my parents' ten acres with plenty of pasture in the summer and home-grown hay all winter. I do give her a vitamin supplement for her weak hooves that costs about $30 every two months. Also, now that she's older, I'm having more done when the vet comes for his yearly visit. She's soooo worth it, though :) I agree with Squawkfox on the horse. I’ve owned mine since I was 10, and she’s always lived on my parents’ ten acres with plenty of pasture in the summer and home-grown hay all winter. I do give her a vitamin supplement for her weak hooves that costs about $30 every two months. Also, now that she’s older, I’m having more done when the vet comes for his yearly visit. She’s soooo worth it, though :)

]]> By: Karen http://www.mytwodollars.com/2009/04/16/how-much-does-it-cost-to-own-different-kinds-of-animals/comment-page-1/#comment-32551 Karen Sun, 19 Apr 2009 13:44:11 +0000 http://www.mytwodollars.com/?p=2014#comment-32551 Our dog is about 40 pounds, and I'd say we spend about $600 a year for his general care. $18 a month for food, $100 a year for vet visits and shots, $160 a year for preventative flea and heartworm medication. We also spend probably $10 every other month on treats and chew toys to keep him occupied. We also save $25 a month in a separate savings account as "insurance" in the event of unexpected vet costs. Sort of a doggie emergency fund. Yes, it can all get very expensive, but if you're a pet lover, the benefits really do outweigh the cost. :) Our dog is about 40 pounds, and I’d say we spend about $600 a year for his general care. $18 a month for food, $100 a year for vet visits and shots, $160 a year for preventative flea and heartworm medication. We also spend probably $10 every other month on treats and chew toys to keep him occupied.

We also save $25 a month in a separate savings account as “insurance” in the event of unexpected vet costs. Sort of a doggie emergency fund.

Yes, it can all get very expensive, but if you’re a pet lover, the benefits really do outweigh the cost. :)

]]> By: david http://www.mytwodollars.com/2009/04/16/how-much-does-it-cost-to-own-different-kinds-of-animals/comment-page-1/#comment-32538 david Fri, 17 Apr 2009 16:57:20 +0000 http://www.mytwodollars.com/?p=2014#comment-32538 I agree - and why I linked to my articles on spending over $1000 on our cat. Gotta keep that in mind. I agree – and why I linked to my articles on spending over $1000 on our cat. Gotta keep that in mind.

]]> By: david http://www.mytwodollars.com/2009/04/16/how-much-does-it-cost-to-own-different-kinds-of-animals/comment-page-1/#comment-32537 david Fri, 17 Apr 2009 16:56:48 +0000 http://www.mytwodollars.com/?p=2014#comment-32537 Well, it's from the ASPCA, so it's probably an average. Well, it’s from the ASPCA, so it’s probably an average.

]]> By: rhysm http://www.mytwodollars.com/2009/04/16/how-much-does-it-cost-to-own-different-kinds-of-animals/comment-page-1/#comment-32536 rhysm Fri, 17 Apr 2009 16:52:24 +0000 http://www.mytwodollars.com/?p=2014#comment-32536 That dog figure is way too low. Food+insurance is 80/month alone for a mid-sized dog. 45/month in food leaves little room for vet trips (which includes an annual check-up and deworming)...so that figure is way too low. That dog figure is way too low. Food+insurance is 80/month alone for a mid-sized dog. 45/month in food leaves little room for vet trips (which includes an annual check-up and deworming)…so that figure is way too low.

]]> By: David http://www.mytwodollars.com/2009/04/16/how-much-does-it-cost-to-own-different-kinds-of-animals/comment-page-1/#comment-32534 David Fri, 17 Apr 2009 16:23:10 +0000 http://www.mytwodollars.com/?p=2014#comment-32534 Thanks for your thoughts Squawkfox, I do look forward to having horses one day! Thanks for your thoughts Squawkfox, I do look forward to having horses one day!

]]> By: Kira http://www.mytwodollars.com/2009/04/16/how-much-does-it-cost-to-own-different-kinds-of-animals/comment-page-1/#comment-32533 Kira Fri, 17 Apr 2009 16:03:02 +0000 http://www.mytwodollars.com/?p=2014#comment-32533 That's assuming they never get sick.. we have spent $1,000 on tests and surgery for a cat with a bladder stone, $750 in hospitalization for a dog who ate something unidentified at the park and stopped pooping for a week, and $1,200 for each of two guinea pigs who developed uterine cancer (mother and daughter). While I realize most people would not have spent that much on a guinea pig, are you just going to put your dog down if it can't poop? She would have died, slowly and painfully, from a ruptured intestine if we hadn't gotten her to the vet. What if your cat gets her tail rocked over by a chair? Are you going to let her live in pain for months? Factor your pets' health into what you need to keep in your emergency fund. That’s assuming they never get sick.. we have spent $1,000 on tests and surgery for a cat with a bladder stone, $750 in hospitalization for a dog who ate something unidentified at the park and stopped pooping for a week, and $1,200 for each of two guinea pigs who developed uterine cancer (mother and daughter). While I realize most people would not have spent that much on a guinea pig, are you just going to put your dog down if it can’t poop? She would have died, slowly and painfully, from a ruptured intestine if we hadn’t gotten her to the vet. What if your cat gets her tail rocked over by a chair? Are you going to let her live in pain for months? Factor your pets’ health into what you need to keep in your emergency fund.

]]> By: Squawkfox http://www.mytwodollars.com/2009/04/16/how-much-does-it-cost-to-own-different-kinds-of-animals/comment-page-1/#comment-32532 Squawkfox Fri, 17 Apr 2009 15:40:08 +0000 http://www.mytwodollars.com/?p=2014#comment-32532 We have 2 horses, 1 cat, and 1 dog. For the most part the horses just graze in our fields - since we make hay in the summer they eat what comes off the land. The cat is a barn cat, so he gets some kibble but prefers to hunt for his meals. I would say our dog is the most expensive animal on my list due to vet bills. Albeit, the dog is the favorite of the bunch so she stays. :D Animal ownership (especially horses) is a lot more affordable if you have a sustainable means to provide for them and space for them to roam. Living on a farm also opens the opportunity to board horses and earn some extra bucks. We have 2 horses, 1 cat, and 1 dog. For the most part the horses just graze in our fields – since we make hay in the summer they eat what comes off the land. The cat is a barn cat, so he gets some kibble but prefers to hunt for his meals. I would say our dog is the most expensive animal on my list due to vet bills. Albeit, the dog is the favorite of the bunch so she stays. :D

Animal ownership (especially horses) is a lot more affordable if you have a sustainable means to provide for them and space for them to roam. Living on a farm also opens the opportunity to board horses and earn some extra bucks.

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