A similar question came from one of our Facebook group contributors. It’s a good question! Having grown up on a small farm, our dogs and cats were considered workers, not just pets. They stayed outdoors, usually in or near the barn. The cats were “mousers” and the dogs herded cattle and sounded the alarm should anyone drive onto our property.
Today
Things are quite different today. Estimates predict that U.S. pet owners will spend a combined 28 billion dollars on pets this year. Pet aisles have grown from a small corner featuring one type of pet food to aisles and aisles exploding with toys, clothing, and an assortment of specialty treats that cost more than a treat for myself at McDonald’s!
In addition, entire stores are now dedicated to the care and feeding of pets. Owners can purchase insurance for their furry friends, and some folks have included a beloved pet in their wills.
Working pets
Today’s pets continue to “work,” even though most no longer chase cattle or hunt mice. A pet’s job description has changed over time. Today, pets teach responsibility, encourage owners to engage and exercise, and provide loving companionship for years. Perhaps that’s why pet owners are so willing to splurge on them once in a while.
Responses
Pet owners jumped on the Facebook question: What’s the most you’ve ever splurged on your pet? Here’s a sampling of the responses:
Joanie B. said, “We paid to have a trainer work with our rescue dog. At $350, it’s proven to be a bargain!”
Matt W. shared, “A surgery on our beagle cost thousands, but it’s worth it to see her once again enjoying life.”
Missie J. admitted, “We bought a motorhome so that our two pooches can come along on our adventures!”
How about you? It’s your turn. What’s the most you’ve ever spent on a pet? It could be vet bills, toys, training, or it could even be a whole house or RV! Vote in the poll and then tell us about your splurge in the comments.
$400 on my Siamese cat. Unfortunately, she did not survive. Yes, I would do it again.
My last beagle at 750. I’m a beagle nut. They all over the years have been between 400-750. Next time I’ll be looking for a rescue beagle pup.
My18 month old rescue kitten ran away when I dropped the leash. She came back at midnight,the victim of a dog attack with a badly wrenched hip. Between the 24 hr emergency vet clinic bills, antibiotics for the bites &surgery to fix her hip about $1500. My rescue kitten we had raised from a 2 day old foundling who understood English at about a 5 year old level & could ask questions by raising his paw went into the emergency vet the same day dh went into hospital w/severe heart problems. Couldn’t afford chemo. Workup $1500
We were given a “free” 9 month old black lab. Had him for a week when he broke his hind leg falling off the bed. Surgery and follow up : $3500. We still have him 8 years later. He is still a clumsy goof, but we love him.
Over their lifetime, each of our four cats have averaged $3k to $5k total for vet care, immunizations, city/county licenses (not counting food/treats); the oldest was 21 years old when she passed away.. Over the same years, our 7 German Shepherds have each cost between $8k and $12k, with the oldest lasting nearly 15 years.
I assume the question refers to the cost of purchasing the pet, not lifetime costs. We stopped having a dog in our life after the loss of Holly, our very special yellow lab. But we paid over $1000 for her 20+ years ago.
We were just coming out of COVID,my mother had passed away and we had to put our poodle down at age 17. Not being blessed with children,my dogs are my fuzzy children. We were desperate to get a new puppy. Shopped on line in shelters,rescues and private breeder. My friend who shows poodles was waiting on a litter to be born. She only shows white or black and when she had a cream born she called us. $5000!! For a puppy!! Nothing else available that would work with full time RV so we bit the bullet. She is perfect child and we didn’t tell her her Daddy won best in breed at Westminster…lol
This incident happened between 10 and 15 years ago. We had a chocolate Lab who absolutely loved to chase anything that you threw. We made a mistake and bought a pet Frisbee that instead of going straight like a ball would do some crazy direction changes. This caused Teaka to quickly change directions and jump in an attempt to catch it in the air. Well she wound up this a large tear in a tendon in her hind leg. The worst part of the whole ordeal was keeping her out of the water until the stitches were removed and the incision healed enough to minimize infection.
Our 3 legged rescue kitten had 4 legs the morning we met on the side of a road but when she moved into our home one week later, she had only 3. Worth every penny for the 12 years she steered her way around the house and yard using her rear stump like the rudder on a boat. (Annie the little orphan).
What pet? We can actually RV without a pet!
We have pet insurance now , it’s been a blessing. Before pet insurance we fostered a Dalmatian out of a local shelter and my husband adored this boy we adopted Parker. He went everywhere with us in our motor Home. Key West to California. He came down with congestive heart failure and we were determined to keep him as long as we could, the cardiologist gave him 3 months and he lived 16 months at the cost of 18 grand. We would do it all over again.. he is so missed… wish I could insert a picture of him sitting in the drivers chair so regal.
I too had a Dalmatian. Talk about a loyal dog. I could go no where without her at my side! When I changed oil on the car or MtrHm, she would grab my wrench and run out in yard with it – I was neglecting her! I finally had to have her put down, at home in her bed, at age 16 in 2017, as she developed bad rear hips. Hardest thing I have ever done – but had to stop the pain for her. I have her framed pictures in my office and behind my bar and in the MtrHm. Miss her terribly every day.
So sorry for your loss, D & J. I know the feeling all too well.🥹 Take care.🤗 –Diane
We still travel with 2 they are livers, and 10 and 11. I can’t imagine traveling with out a spotty fur kid. 16 is a good long life..
Sorry for your loss, Patty. And thank you for submitting a photo of Parker this morning. I’m sure Emily will post it in a newsletter within the next few weeks. (He looks like a real sweetheart and, yes, definitely regal.) Take care. 😀 –Diane at RVtravel.com
Thank you. This picture was us pulling into a RV park in Red River NM.
Maggie is a family member meaning we spend what we need to spend to keep her well.
Thank you, Gail! I honestly have no idea! We are on dog #3, who came from a no-kill shelter. We made a donation to the shelter in return for the puppy. Then on to a pet store for a crate, bed, food, collar, and training treats. Vet visits, two training classes, and a castration operation added to the total. Another training class, day care thrice weekly to reinforce training and give DW and me a respite from the 11-month-old “teenager,” more and more dogfood, monthly heartworm and flea-and-tick pills, two more crates with beds as he outgrows crates, and more training treats. Easily more than $1000. Thanks again and safe travels! 🙂
We are on pet #6. every one of our Dogs have had lots of Love and the very best care. If you are not in it for the long term…..do not get a pet!
Just in medical (2 knee planings + congestive heart issues) over $20000 for our beloved black lab. If we count that every property we’ve owned was specific to dog romping room then about $360000 for the last 40 acres in Oregon.
We’d do it all again in an instant.🐾
I went on the assumption you meant “at one time”. We compete in Agility and Rally. Registering for a trial can cost anywhere from $30 to over $400 for a multi-day trial and 2 dogs participating. As far as buying things for the dogs – I’d guess we have rarely spent over $100 at a time, other than buying a lightweight “tent” crate for our down time at trials.
I haven’t the foggiest notion. Lots. I now have the eighth one of his breed over 48 years. Just a teeth cleaning can cost $1,000 or close to it. Whatever it takes.
We had a husky/ Pyrenees mix who had torn all in both knees. The first surgery went well but the second wouldn’t heal and ended up with an orthopedic veterinarian who did the surgery all over. She just about recuperated from that when we found a lump on her left front paw. Turns out it was bone cancer. Ended up with amputating at the shoulder. That bought us 4 months with one of the gentlest, sweetest dogs ever. Cost us a fortune but would do it again
I think we are on our 6th Shih Tzu and an inherited Poodle. All lived to 13 to 15 years. One Shih Tzu had cataract surgery, just like a human, which cost $4,500 just like a human. That little guy was with me all the time and would ride and steer the tractor when I mowed.
Hubby’s corgi (then 1 years old) was able to get in a 5# bag of chocolate M&Ms that was left on his night stand. It cost few thousand, after all night in emergency vet hospital. We were told if he made it through the night he would live. Then charcoal pills in yogurt for several days. The corgi has a fast heart rate still as a result but he is 8 years old now. All junk food is put away. All food wrappers on trash can with lid.