Let us talk about pets

Can you afford to keep a dog?

Ruwini Jayawardana

A few of us may get the chance to acquire a pedigree dog for free. Otherwise this question of affordability may become an issue right from the start.

Almost everyone will want to sell the litter they have reared, even if only to try to recoup the cost of feeding the puppies to weaning. The cost of good pedigree puppies varies from country to country. In Sri Lanka, depending on the breed, a puppy may cost from around Rs. 4, 000 to Rs. 6,000. Imported puppies may cost a great deal more.

Crossbreeds and ordinary dogs are stronger in fighting germs than pedigrees. Thus their chances of becoming ill are less.

A non-pedigree dog living indoors that may not require a lot of medical attention or minerals, would eat what we humans will have for our daily meals. Thus it will take about Rs. 2,000 to Rs. 2,500 monthly to keep such a dog.

A pedigree dog, which requires recommended food with additional vitamins and minerals, will cost about Rs. 4,000 monthly. Soap, shampoo, grooming, caging, looking after all would be needed to look after such an animal. Parvo, Distemper, Viral Hepatitis, Leptospirosis, and anti-rabies have to be given to all types of dogs. These vaccines should be boostered annually.

The substantial part of the cost of keeping a dog may be the cost of veterinary treatment. Veterinary doctors are these days capable of sophisticated treatments of illness or injury, but they have no subsidy of the costs. If your dog needs complicated or prolonged veterinary treatment the cost may be high.

Feeding costs vary greatly. In theory, the smaller the dog, the less expensive to feed, but this is frequently offset by choosing more specialized and therefore expensive food for the very small pet.

The cost of keeping a toy dog is probably very little less than for a larger animal. Veterinary attention is much the same and fussy eaters need special food. Remember, diets to rear healthy puppies need careful consideration. The breeder will usually offer sound advice but be wary of bizarre feeding regimes.

Diet and exercise may both be critical to the well-being of an older dog. Overweight dos are often reluctant to walk far. Exercise your dogs regularly with a walk once per day and it will do wonders to help him shed off those few pounds.

A fair return that you yourself might in return for keeping a dog is the exercise that it encourages its owner to take. Letting your dog run with a companion dog is also traffic exercise but always make sure that you are in control.

No matter what type, breed, age, size, color, or other choice of dog you make, just remember, they will all need part of your time and space. Owning a pet and becoming a good pet parent is a commitment, but it can be one of the best and happiest commitments you can make, for both of you.