Pets can be a lot of fun to have around the house, whether you choose to bring home a lively puppy or a more laidback turtle, animal companions certainly bring people a lot of joy. Although having a pet can be a wonderful experience, it’s important to remember that they also come with a lot of responsibility, not to mention additional expenses. Before you decided to bring a pet home with you, carefully consider whether or not you can afford to care for them properly. Below are a few of the main costs you will have to pay out for your new pet.

Food

Everyone’s got to eat, and your pet is no different! Of course, depending on the animal you choose to bring home, food costs can either be quite expensive or easily affordable, as certain pets will consume more food than others, or require specialist diets. As an example, the average cost of dog food per year for pet owners can be between $250-$700 including additional things like treats. While you can always choose an affordable brand of pet food, you will also need to think about the quality of the food and how healthy it is for your pet.

Vet Bills

Hopefully, your pet won’t get ill very often, but you never know what might happen. Even if your pet is in the picture of health, you will still need to take them for check-ups, to have them spayed or neutered, and micro-chipping. You must find a vet clinic that you feel comfortable with, and preferably one that offers a wide range of treatments on site. For more affordable vet options, Easyvet has clinics in several states or find a similar clinic near you. You should also look at getting pet insurance to help you cover the cost of medical bills for your furry friend.

Toys and Accessories

Feeding your pet and keeping them healthy is the most important thing, but they will require other stuff to help them stay happy and comfortable in your home. Things like dog/cat beds, fish/reptile tanks, toys, scratching posts, leads, etc. Again, depending on what animal you choose to have as a pet, these costs could either be relatively high or relatively low. Make sure you do plenty of research about what your animal will need to keep them safe and happy in your home.

Kennels/Day Care

Another thing to keep in mind is whether or not your pet can travel with you when you go away on vacation. Some getaways won’t pose a problem, but if you are going abroad things get a little more complicated. Although some airlines allow pets to travel, this can be expensive and they might have to go in the luggage hold rather than the cabin, which can be distressing for them. If you don’t have a friend who is willing to care for your pet while you’re gone, it might be better to leave your pet in a kennel or some other care center, but these can be costly as well.

Pets can be excellent additions to your household, but make sure you can truly afford to care for them the way they need you to before you bring one home.