Let’s begin this blog with a question, why should owning a dog burn a hole in your pocket? Or rather, why should money be a factor holding you back from adopting a loyal companion?

In the times of social media, where the pet parenting seems too over the top and high maintenance, the truth is way far off. Whether you are a first-time parent thinking of adopting a dog or just want to understand and manage your monthly expenses, you are at the right place!

Food

Probably the biggest expense in dog care, it is important you provide your pet with nutritious food while also keeping it under budget

Home cooked meals including rice, vegetables, egg, chicken = ₹1500-2000
Mid-price range brands with good quality food =₹2000-3000

treats and chews like biscuits, dental chews or sometimes homemade treats like boiled carrots, pumpkin = ₹200-500

Keeping a balance between homecooked meal and good brands will be nutritious as well as affordable when planned smartly. An added advantage is if you have a desi breed or a mixed breed who often thrive on simple food.

Grooming and Hygiene demands

dog friendly shampoos, soaps, treatments for ticks and fleas, trimming of nails and grooming visits average around ₹200-600 per month. Short, coated breeds often require minimal costs and learning to maintain the basic hygiene and do basic grooming at home cuts down the cost by a good amount.

Medical Care

Although most breeds do not require a monthly visit, keeping a track of their medical needs is of utmost importance. Remember, prevention is always better than cure. Even on your pockets! Preventive care costs much lesser than emergency treatments.

Veterinary care costs about ₹300-700 on an average for a month, including:

Vaccinations (annualy)
Deworming (after every 3 months)
Parasite prevention
Occasional consultation

Toys and enrichment

It is important that you keep your pet active and give them the mental stimulation that they need. These need not be too expensive, costing about ₹200-500. They can include chew toys, balls, rope toys which need not be bought every month, they can be reused in rotation. Moreover, you can get creative and make DIY toys using old towels or bottle but let them play under supervision!

Miscellaneous

It includes the long-term items that require a one-time investment like collar, leash, bed, mat, bowls. It’s better to invest into durable items instead of buying cheap ones. This would contribute about ₹200-400 a month on an average.

Emergency Savings

Life is unpredictable; thus, it is best to set aside a few hundred rupees, say, ₹300-500 for unexpected expenses like any illness, injury or sudden vet visits to avoid financial panic later.

Thus concluding, the monthly cost comes out to range from ₹2900-6200 depending on the breed. Mostly the maintenance of Indian breeds comes to be on the less expensive side costing 3000-4000 monthly whereas the larger or imported breeds cost on a higher side of ₹6000 plus every month.

It is important that we realize basic healthcare, proper nutrition and a loving household is far more important than using expensive accessories and designer food. A good pet parenting isn’t about how much you spend rather it is about how much you are committed towards the care of your pet.