Most people do not think twice about the cost of owning a pet, as they often consider them a part of the family. Even so, it is prudent to manage and track the expenses that pet care can incur, least it becomes a burden to the owner.

Taking care of a pet can be an enjoyable endeavor that brings lots of happiness to a family. A pet can also provide physical and emotional support, particularly to those with special needs. Often, we do not think twice of the financial expense that is incurred by taking on a pet and caring for it. Sadly, most cases of pets being abandoned are due to the rising cost of caring for the pet, particularly to avoid paying for high medical costs.

To avoid such a scenario, let’s take a look at some of the expenses that are part and parcel of taking care of a pet. In this case, we assume you are considering the cost of more common pets (not exotic choices which come with higher costs).

Initial cost

But before we start, we need to examine the initial cost of getting a pet. Depending on the breed of the pet and the reputation of the breeder, purchasing a pet can be expensive, ranging from a few hundred to thousands of ringgit.

Adoption is an alternative method to getting a pet. A shelter is a temporary home for abandoned or lost animals, and is always looking out for would-be adopters. Adoption of pets from shelters usually involve a paltry sum, usually related to paying off the service of deworming, neutering and vaccinating the animal. It can also involve a donation to the shelter to cover operational costs.

It sounds like adoption is the best way to save a lot of money while getting yourself a pet, but there are some things to look out for, such as the health and disposition of the animal. They might have certain illnesses that would prove costly in the long run, such a having to pay for recurring cost of dialysis if the animal has kidney failure. Abandoned animals usually have a history of being abused by their previous owner, and that could lead to the animal having a nasty disposition that would require training or obedience classes.

Be reminded that certain types of pet may require registration for a license. Please refer to your local municipal council for further information.

Food

Food makes up a big chunk of daily expense for a pet, especially furry pets. The larger the pet, the bigger the food budget generally. Depending on the animal, the type of food that is required can range from specialised feeds to leftover meals.

On average, cats and dogs can consume somewhere between RM30 to RM60 worth of food every month, to a high of RM300 monthly for premium grade feeds. Buying pet food in bulk can help you save money, but take care not to keep food past expiry dates.

Be sure to check online for reviews of pet foods to help you make the best decision for your furry friend, as buying pet food from dubious origins can cause more harm in the long run.

If you are a busy individual that doesn’t have the time to prep food for your pet, there are pet services that start from RM40 a month that will prepare meals for your pet and deliver them to your doorstep. They will cater to your pet’s preferences , making sure that all nutritional needs are meet.

Toys/Treats and Accessories

A pet will need playthings to occupy its time, either by toys or treats. These items can help create a healthy relationship and strengthen the bond between pet and owner.

Getting the right size and type of the following accessories can mean a lot to your pet’s wellbeing.

  • Pet bed
  • Food & water bowl/container
  • Personal space, e.g. birdcage, aquarium, kennel
  • Toiletries, e.g. sawdust, shredded paper, kitty litter, doggy pee mats
  • Collars and leashes for 4-legged pets

These items can either be bought from a store, online or if you are confident enough, make it yourself. On average, an owner would spend an initial cost of around RM100, and RM 20 monthly thereafter. Luxury pet items can balloon that figure exponentially if you are not cautious about your spending.

Focus on getting the necessities first, before splurging on items that are not.

Medical and Supplements

Taking care of a pet’s health can be expensive and time consuming. As the saying goes, prevention is better than cure. This applies to pets, so getting a yearly checkup is crucial in catching any kind of illness upfront and treating them before they pose a more serious health issue.

These yearly veterinary care can go as low as RM 35 to as high as RM 200, depending on the establishment and the requirement of the animal. Vaccinations, boosters and supplements can be as much as a few hundred ringgit to keep your pet in tip top condition.

But if the unfortunate happens and your pet suffers from an illness, then diagnostics, medicine and treatment costs can reach as high as thousands of ringgit a month. This type of emergency expenditure can be burdensome to the owner, and so pet insurance has become important to those seeking to offset this expenditure. Either that or setting aside an amount of money each month to stay prepared for the unexpected.

Petsitter or Boarding

If you plan to travel, certain modes of transportation will restrict or outright ban you from bringing your pet along for the ride. It might even be hazardous to your pet’s health if you do. For such a situation, you will have to leave your pet behind. Services such as a pet sitter or pet boarding  are perfect choices to tend to your pet’s needs when you are away. These can cost a few dozen ringgit a day to a few hundred, depending on the service.

Boarding for pets can get real expensive depending on the quality of stay, including meals and exercise that might be included in the package. The other option is to hire a pet-sitter, who comes in to check in on the pet and handle the daily needs of the pet.

Conclusion

Pets can be very expensive to care for, but the rewards oftentimes outweigh the costs of it. Pet owners should always keep themselves up to date on the various ways and methods to reduce and save on pet care, because pet care should never be a burden to the owner.

 

What other expenses have we missed out? Let us know in the comments down below.