doodle expenses

[Jen W]

I just figured out that in the 5 months that I've had my Irish Goldendoodle I've spent over $2,700 on her.

• $550 at the vet
• $867 at the pet store on food and toys
• $556 on training classes
• $768 on daycare and grooming (lumped together b/c she gets groomed at daycare).

 

Holy cow.  I have got to find a way to walk into the pet store and walk out only with food instead of with food and 12 new toys.  Might have to order it online to avoid the temptation of the toy aisle.

She only goes to daycare once a week for socializatin (and so I can vacuum) but that might have to end.

Training classes are not optional though, that's a long term investment.

 

How much is your doodle running you?

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Five figures a year, and that doesn't include any toys, training or daycare costs. But he has two different immune-mediated diseases plus a ruptured lumbar disc, and I have no insurance for him.

Which is why your expense list above needs to include a new item: Pet Insurance. Get it now, while your doodle is young and healthy. It's the best money you will ever spend on her.

[Jen and Annie]

For toys, since Annie gets all the stuffing out of the 'pet store' one's anyway, I actually buy little stuffed toys at the thrift store or yard sales for like 50 cents each.  I perform the 'cloud removal' surgery, and then Annie gets to fling it around like she loves to do! 

I have a shedding 'ragdollish' labradoodle, so grooming is minimal and really just consists of me brushing her twice a week and giving her baths. It's one of the reasons I chose the F1 - less grooming expense.

Dogs ain't cheap, but I think in general are cheaper than a kid - haha. I'll stick with dogs for now (KNOCK ON WOOD)  

[Ginny Nightingale]

I have three doodles, and their food is a big expense (Wellness( but they do not get many new toys--the next biggest expense for me is the Advantix once a month and the vet checkups---but I know that I could have a big expense at any time if one of them is sick.....I am going to get the pet insurance soon--I have to pay for all three so I have been putting it off, bit the time is right!

[a.k.a. Rodney]

try CHEWIE.com..much cheaper on the food & ships free over certain amount..no shopping in store that is unnecessary

[F, Calla & Luca]

I have two so it adds up quickly. We don't do daycare but Luca did have training. It costs me $60 a day to board them for vacation. No pet insurance? Mine costs about $660/year

[Diane, Baker & Oskar]

Food is $100+ per month...they eat First Mate Chicken & Blueberry...

Grooming is $150 every 6 weeks...plus $25 every 2 weeks in between at a self-wash place

Pet insurance is $65/month for two, $780 per year...after spending $300-400/mo at the vet for a couple of months, we got the insurance :)

Private trainer at $50/hour...just started this & it may be cheaper in the long run than classes.

Boarding is $70 per day...when you drop off a day early & pick up a day after you get home, our 1 week vacation totaled 9 days x $70, $630...

Toys...huge expense !  I've been buying them on Groupon when offered...we finally stopped buying yak chews...they would go through $35 worth in 1 day...I tried making toys, but I'm not a seamstress & they ripped them apart in minutes :P  My house looks like a graveyard for headless lions, buffalo, cows, you name it...but as long as they can still 'kill' them, I don't throw them away :)

You're right...dogs are expensive...at least the way DK people treat their dogs...but they are so important to us & give us so much in return.  They keep us laughing, that's for sure :)

[nira rajavasireddy]

I dont even want to think about how much I've spent on Laila, puppy classes so far(puppy 1) is only $200, the puppy package at the vet was $250, her doggie furniture, bed, crate cover, personalized doggie blanket(couldnt resist!!!!), about $300, and I dont even want to add up the cost of her toys. I've had to throw several of them away because she tore them up after a couple of days. And she's only 12 weeks. And I still have to get pet insurance.... Oh, but she's so worth it!!

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

I think you probably start out spending a lot and then it sort of slows down some.  I have also found that I shop a whole lot less for myself as I would rather buy things for the doodles.  I also look at it like I get a whole lot more enjoyment out of them each and every day than I ever did on a $3000 trip to Cancun or somewhere.  Those types of trips are behind me because I only travel where the doodles can go.  I have spent money on frivolous things my entire adult life so I feel it is ok to continue to do it on the doodles.  Particularly since I no longer do much for me.   HOWEVER, if you are spending money on frivolous things and you have not yet gotten pet insurance, then we need to talk!   That is the single most important purchase you can make.

[Julie and Charlie]

This is so true about the travel. I just figure the budget moved from travel to dog!

[Adrienne]

OK, maybe I'm not wishing for two Doodle pups right now, LOL!!   I expect to spoil my pup early on, hoping to slow down once he gets a little older.  Either that or get another job.  

[Adina P]

We've been lucky that other than what all dog owners have to pay for (vet, food, and necessities) ours have been low maintenance.  I do my own training (though for preference reasons not savings), no daycare, pay a friend a small fee for dog sitting 2-3 times a year for a week or so at a time when we are on vacation.  Rarely buy toys anymore because besides balls (that last forever) they don't play with toys--they destroy toys.  I also don't use treats for training so I a little goes a long way here.  The big investment came early on when I would buy EVERYTHING for my puppy but over the years I have found very little of it to be a true necessity.  Purchased my grooming equipment several years ago...no need for new crates, leashes, collars anymore.  I am definitely a minimalist.

[Lori, Quincy & Frankie]

I refuse to add it up!  Ignorance is bliss.