Was just thinking about the cost of owning a dog

[Penguinfan]

No real reason other than the wife brought up some of the things that we have spent money on for our dog. She wasn't complaining, truth be told she loves that dog as much as I do.

I was surprised thinking through it how much he'll cost over the course of his life. I know we could cheap out on his food and vet visits, but what's the point in owning a pet if you aren't gonna take care of it?

Think we paid $250 for him,
$500/yr for food and treats (give or take)
$240/yr at the groomer (give or take)
$200/yr at the vet (including shots and flea meds)

Just that alone is $940/yr, I'd like to think he'll live to at least 10 years old, so that's $9650 plus the $3000 we paid to have his paw fixed when he tore his ACL (or at least the K9 version of it) and this is a $12,000+ animal, likely more.

I never thought about how expensive caring for a pet could be, and certainly never though it would be that much over his lifetime.

He's been worth every cent, though.

 

[freelancc]

it will be worth every penny.:0074

 

[THUNDER]

No real reason other than the wife brought up some of the things that we have spent money on for our dog. She wasn't complaining, truth be told she loves that dog as much as I do.

I was surprised thinking through it how much he'll cost over the course of his life. I know we could cheap out on his food and vet visits, but what's the point in owning a pet if you aren't gonna take care of it?

Think we paid $250 for him,
$500/yr for food and treats (give or take)
$240/yr at the groomer (give or take)
$200/yr at the vet (including shots and flea meds)

Just that alone is $940/yr, I'd like to think he'll live to at least 10 years old, so that's $9650 plus the $3000 we paid to have his paw fixed when he tore his ACL (or at least the K9 version of it) and this is a $12,000+ animal, likely more.

I never thought about how expensive caring for a pet could be, and certainly never though it would be that much over his lifetime.

He's been worth every cent, though.

ALOT OF MONEY -WOW -CRAZY. GLAD YOU LKE YOUR DOG:scared THANX FOR SHARING, DO YOU HAVE PICTURES?:shrug: -

 

[homedog]

it will be worth every penny.:0074

Yep

 

[saint]

ALOT OF MONEY -WOW -CRAZY. GLAD YOU LKE YOUR DOG:scared THANX FOR SHARING, DO YOU HAVE PICTURES?:shrug: -

:mj07: :mj07: :mj07:

 

[Trampled Underfoot]

No real reason other than the wife brought up some of the things that we have spent money on for our dog. She wasn't complaining, truth be told she loves that dog as much as I do.

I was surprised thinking through it how much he'll cost over the course of his life. I know we could cheap out on his food and vet visits, but what's the point in owning a pet if you aren't gonna take care of it?

Think we paid $250 for him,
$500/yr for food and treats (give or take)
$240/yr at the groomer (give or take)
$200/yr at the vet (including shots and flea meds)

Just that alone is $940/yr, I'd like to think he'll live to at least 10 years old, so that's $9650 plus the $3000 we paid to have his paw fixed when he tore his ACL (or at least the K9 version of it) and this is a $12,000+ animal, likely more.

I never thought about how expensive caring for a pet could be, and certainly never though it would be that much over his lifetime.

He's been worth every cent, though.

I paid about $2000 last year in daycare for mine. :mj07:

 

[gardenweasel]

our cat had diabetes for 7 years...the meds alone cost thousands(and not a couple)....

whatever you do,don`t over indulge the dog...watch his diet and pray he isn`t predisposed to diabetes.....it`s an awful disease.......much worse for an animal than a person...

 

[Mr. Poon]

Outside of the joking I highly recommend pet insurance to any pet owners. Helped considerably when our pooch had back surgery couple years ago.

 

[The Boys]

Outside of the joking I highly recommend pet insurance to any pet owners. Helped considerably when our pooch had back surgery couple years ago.

Great idea. Just Google Pet Insurance and you'll see many options and companies to choose from.

 

[jr11]

I spend about $250-300 a month in food/treats for my 2 german shepherds. Was thinking of adding another. Anything I spend on them is well worth it. Many of you know I lost my wife to cancer 4.5 years ago, so I am not sure where I would be without them, seriously.

 

[Penguinfan]

I spend about $250-300 a month in food/treats for my 2 german shepherds. Was thinking of adding another. Anything I spend on them is well worth it. Many of you know I lost my wife to cancer 4.5 years ago, so I am not sure where I would be without them, seriously.

Would definitely be a different house without him, plus I feel the kids are safer with him around. He's 95 pounds of protection with teeth.

 

[Penguinfan]

ALOT OF MONEY -WOW -CRAZY. GLAD YOU LKE YOUR DOG:scared THANX FOR SHARING, DO YOU HAVE PICTURES?:shrug: -

He's #2, tied for second, I think???

 

[gardenweasel]

let me add to what my brothers said.(i believe i made it sound like i was worried about the money)......it was expensive but i`d gladly do it all over again to have the cat back and healthy.....i seriously doubt that pet insurance would cover diabetic supplies....we learned many things about taking care of her as time went by....things we did that we didn`t originally think were possible(like testing her blood...vets don`t usually even broach the subject because they don`t think that people are willing to go that far)...i didn`t think the cat would tolerate having blood drawn on a daily basis,but she did....

never in my wildest dreams did i think i could become attached to a cat(i know many agree with me on that)...but,i learned differently.....

any animal you take into your home becomes a part of the family(if that`s the cut of your gib...and i think it is for most on this board)...

 

[ripken8]

No real reason other than the wife brought up some of the things that we have spent money on for our dog. She wasn't complaining, truth be told she loves that dog as much as I do.

I was surprised thinking through it how much he'll cost over the course of his life. I know we could cheap out on his food and vet visits, but what's the point in owning a pet if you aren't gonna take care of it?

Think we paid $250 for him,
$500/yr for food and treats (give or take)
$240/yr at the groomer (give or take)
$200/yr at the vet (including shots and flea meds)

Just that alone is $940/yr, I'd like to think he'll live to at least 10 years old, so that's $9650 plus the $3000 we paid to have his paw fixed when he tore his ACL (or at least the K9 version of it) and this is a $12,000+ animal, likely more.

I never thought about how expensive caring for a pet could be, and certainly never though it would be that much over his lifetime.

He's been worth every cent, though.

i made the commitment when i bought him so i won't spend one minute figuring out what he's costing me. i can see by your last sentence that that you pretty much feel the same. my dog means the world to me... :toast:

 

[dawgball]

I think the average is $12-15k in America.

 

[Jord20]

our cat had diabetes for 7 years...the meds alone cost thousands(and not a couple)....

whatever you do,don`t over indulge the dog...watch his diet and pray he isn`t predisposed to diabetes.....it`s an awful disease.......much worse for an animal than a person...

You obviously don't know anything about Type 1 Diabetes to make such a ridiculous statement.

Have you ever tried caring for a 4 year old Type 1 Diabetic every day of your life, 24 hours a day?

To each their own, but Type 1 Diabetes FOR A HUMAN BEING is a life altering, 24 hour, 7 day a week disaster, managing everything one eats and monitoring throughout the night. I have to give my son insulin injections (actually we just moved him to a pump) about 9 times a day and prick his finger to check his blood sugar levels another 10 times a day. I have to wake up in the middle of the night every night to check his blood to make sure he will stay alive! The poor kid vacillates between highs and lows and feels like crap. It is a constant battle just to make sure he feels normal. We will worry about all the life altering complications that can arise at a later date. We have to worry about every morsel of food that goes in his mouth, every bit of exercise, a trace of an infection - these all can affect his blood sugar by varying degrees.

Type 1 Diabetes is a FUCKING DISASTER!! To compare this to type 2 diabetes in a cat is sickening, IMO. DOn't get me wrong, I'm sure you meant nothing by it. It just always amazes me how people have no clue the difference between T1Diabetes (an auto-immune disease that is incurable) and Type 2 Diabetes (which is brought on by diet).

I just like for people to be aware because I need a goddamn cure.

Sorry for the rant... carry on...

 

[Shleprock]

You obviously don't know anything about Type 1 Diabetes to make such a ridiculous statement.

Have you ever tried caring for a 4 year old Type 1 Diabetic every day of your life, 24 hours a day?

To each their own, but Type 1 Diabetes FOR A HUMAN BEING is a life altering, 24 hour, 7 day a week disaster, managing everything one eats and monitoring throughout the night. I have to give my son insulin injections (actually we just moved him to a pump) about 9 times a day and prick his finger to check his blood sugar levels another 10 times a day. I have to wake up in the middle of the night every night to check his blood to make sure he will stay alive! The poor kid vacillates between highs and lows and feels like crap. It is a constant battle just to make sure he feels normal. We will worry about all the life altering complications that can arise at a later date. We have to worry about every morsel of food that goes in his mouth, every bit of exercise, a trace of an infection - these all can affect his blood sugar by varying degrees.

Type 1 Diabetes is a FUCKING DISASTER!! To compare this to type 2 diabetes in a cat is sickening, IMO. DOn't get me wrong, I'm sure you meant nothing by it. It just always amazes me how people have no clue the difference between T1Diabetes (an auto-immune disease that is incurable) and Type 2 Diabetes (which is brought on by diet).

I just like for people to be aware because I need a goddamn cure.

Sorry for the rant... carry on...

Every August a friend of mine one of the owners of Perkins family restaurant have a golf benefit to raise money for juvenile diabetes here in Wisconsin. Its raising more money each year to find a cure. I hear the stories and can't imagine what you go through.

 

[Jord20]

Awesome. It is brutal.

It is on my mind every second of every day, but it was especially fresh on my mind because we had the annual JDRF gala in Chicago on Saturday night. I hate the damn event because it is such a stark reminder hearing all the stories there, but it raised 3 million dollars!!

 

[kneifl]

Awesome. It is brutal.

It is on my mind every second of every day, but it was especially fresh on my mind because we had the annual JDRF gala in Chicago on Saturday night. I hate the damn event because it is such a stark reminder hearing all the stories there, but it raised 3 million dollars!!

I do a diabetes walk every year with my wife in Washington DC. It's awesome, the ADA (American Diabetes Association) and NKF (National Kidney Foundation) are two charities I write small donation checks to at the end of the year.

She is a type 1 diabetic. It is a brutal, devastating disease. I hate the disease, hate it. Have many horror stories of low blood sugar attacks.

She is on the pump now and it helps out a lot. It's far from being perfect though. It hurts her when she puts it on and sometimes the pump breaks.

kneifl

 

[gardenweasel]

You obviously don't know anything about Type 1 Diabetes to make such a ridiculous statement.

Have you ever tried caring for a 4 year old Type 1 Diabetic every day of your life, 24 hours a day?

To each their own, but Type 1 Diabetes FOR A HUMAN BEING is a life altering, 24 hour, 7 day a week disaster, managing everything one eats and monitoring throughout the night. I have to give my son insulin injections (actually we just moved him to a pump) about 9 times a day and prick his finger to check his blood sugar levels another 10 times a day. I have to wake up in the middle of the night every night to check his blood to make sure he will stay alive! The poor kid vacillates between highs and lows and feels like crap. It is a constant battle just to make sure he feels normal. We will worry about all the life altering complications that can arise at a later date. We have to worry about every morsel of food that goes in his mouth, every bit of exercise, a trace of an infection - these all can affect his blood sugar by varying degrees.

Type 1 Diabetes is a FUCKING DISASTER!! To compare this to type 2 diabetes in a cat is sickening, IMO. DOn't get me wrong, I'm sure you meant nothing by it. It just always amazes me how people have no clue the difference between T1Diabetes (an auto-immune disease that is incurable) and Type 2 Diabetes (which is brought on by diet).

I just like for people to be aware because I need a goddamn cure.

Sorry for the rant... carry on...

i wasn`t clear...my bad...

...what i should have said was that it`s different caring for an animal because they can`t tell you that their sugar is heading south...you only know when they start bumping into walls or lose control of their limbs...you basically have to keep track of an animal for several hours after giving a shot(and food) because cats tend to cough up furballs and if you aren`t there when they do,they puke up their food along with the furball and and you have a life threatening episode of hypoglycemia which entails a rush to the doctor to get a glucose i.v. in time......

you can just leave food out for the cat and they`ll usually go to the food automatically if their sugar gets low(actually,they`ll usually eat any food left out regardless)...but,if the animal hasn`t thrown up,you`re piling food on top of food and therefore driving the sugar up defeating the insulin.....

our cats sugar could easily run in the high 300/400`s unchecked...we were doing glucose checks before meals(to see how much insulin was appropriate)..after meals(twice to see the effect of the insulin/food on blood sugar)....rinse and repeat...as you said it`s a full time job...

very difficult to regulate(as i`m sure you know)...and without a prescription,these supplies are budget busters...$130 bucks per hundred test strips...50-75 dollars a month for the insulin not to mention special food....and syringes(also constant trips to the vet and the occasional emergency) ...obviously,i couldn`t explain to the cat why she was getting stuck with nededles everyday...it was a daunting task to distract the cat and do what needed to be done....

but,when you take an animal in,you take on that responsibility...i`m sure it sounds crazy to some,but,it is what it is...i have kids also and they loved that cat like it was family(as we did)...


it`s a very tough situation you have there...and you have my deepest condolences and i send you all the good karma i can muster...i know it`s a bear 24-7........

i`m sure it`s very tough with a young child and i`m not comparing a cat to anyone`s child....i just wish you the best because after dealing with this for the last 8 years and seeing the blindness,neuropathy and organ failure that came at the end,i honestly pray that you can do all the things necessary to keep your child healthy and happy....