What would you estimate it costs to take car of your dog per month? Please include what size dog it is?

55 lb dog, mixed breed, 6 years old.

Food: dry and some canned, some treats, about $70 per month

She has been on some medications for over a year now and will be on some for the foreseeable future. I forgot how much that costs but it's probably around $30 per month, so we're up to around $100 a month.

That's it for ongoing regular monthly expenses.

Irregular expenses, however, are another story. I board her once a year, usually, and that's about $250 each time.

I can't remember what vaccinations cost, probably $200 every 3 years.

This summer she was limping. Examination, diagnostic tests, teeth cleaning because she was under sedation anyway for the diagnostic stuff, and medication, I think we got up to around $800 for that one. That's all the vet care she has needed in the 2 years I've had her.

Note that aside from the food, it's going to cost pretty much the same even if it's a 10 lb dog.

WHERE? At my Summer home, which is a "destination," it's much more expensive. Vets are much more expensive as is food.

At my Winter home it's much less expensive.

My dog is 120 pounds. Dog food is in excess of $200 a month - at the recommendation of my Vet she eats chicken mixed with kibble; her pet health insurance is $680 a year; my co-pay for her Vet bills is about $150; her toys are probably about $150/year. I also fenced my property - $8,000. Last year she had surgery to remove a cyst, and the co-pay was $200 just for that.

I have found that Veterinary treatment (not routine care) is MUCH more expensive for a large dog.

I also - and I had been thinking about it - traded in my sedan for a van so that she could more easily be transported from one home to the other.

Too much depends on breed/cost of living in the area, etc. Puppy mill dogs always will cost more to care for as they are never genetically tested and are more likely to need vet care. The larger the dog, the greater the expense. For example, a 30 pound bag of Taste of the Wild (one of the more moderately priced quality dog foods) is about $50. A Great Dane will eat significantly more a day than a smaller sized dog. It's not just food - it's routine vet care. Medications are dosed "by the pound" so to speak. A tube of flea control for a dog is based on weight. Smaller sized doses are less expensive than larger ones for big dogs. And the same thing for monthly heartworm preventative and wormers. All based on weight. Sick dog? Same thing with antibiotics. Based on weight. While our estimates are based on our own experiences, everyone's will differ. But you can count on the fact that the bigger the dog, the bigger the monthly and routine expense.

I shudder to think but it's usually all done willingly, for the good of my now two dogs only. There is a saying - if you have to ask (cost) you probably can't afford.

If you decided to include a dog, or any pet, in your life, it's going to cost, from buy in to end of life. Guaranteed. Costs can be defrayed somewhat by taking out insurance but be aware that won't cost normal basis costs, minor vet visits (most insurance contains 'excesses' which means you still pay the vet + the monthly premiums), food, equipment and so on.

Having a dog is a luxury these days, not a necessity (working dogs apart). Oh and buy from a reputable breeder, NOT from a Pet Shop or a BYB. At least lthat 'should' mean your vet bills are minimal.