Pet Parents Guide: Dog Ownership Cost in the Philippines
1 February 2023Several studies state that dog ownership helps hoomans become healthier. Compared to people who don't own pets (dogs in particular), dog parents are said to have fewer doctor visits and are generally hale and hearty. This makes perfect sense since dogs make for excellent stress relievers. Exhausted after an eight-to-five office job exacerbated by rush-hour traffic? Coming home to a tail-wagging, four-legged furry friend would absolutely reenergize you!
But the fulfillment and benefits that come from owning a dog notwithstanding, pet ownership is not without a relatively high cost, from dog food and pet care items to medical expenses. In this article, Lumina Homes came up with a helpful guide for present and future pet parents like you to calculate the average costs of owning a dog.
3 Major Factors to Consider For Future Dog Owners
1. Budget
The prospect of owning a furry, touchy creature may be exciting, but the first thing to consider before actually owning one is your financial preparedness. If you're a young professional, unmarried, and childless, the odds are in your favor, as you may be able to shoulder the pet care expenses without worrying about neglecting other financial obligations that come from being a breadwinner and a parent. Dog ownership could be financially tough for aspiring pet owners with a family.
2. Enough pet space
While caging a dog and tethering them is what many pet parents do, these have damaging effects on your dog. It can make them more aggressive toward strangers, cause them psychological problems, and the confinement means they have to eat and sleep in an area contaminated by urine and excrement.
Having said this, your house should have enough room for your dog to roam around freely. Also, be ready to lose your private space as your dog will probably disturb you when it longs your company. Finally, be wary of danger zones for pets. This includes staircases and the balcony where they could get their head stuck between the bars of a railing. This makes having a pet-friendly area important for your dog's safety.
3. Time and Commitment
Finally, dog ownership demands your time and commitment. Are you willing to spend a considerable amount of time on your weekend petting your dog, which you may otherwise devote to going out before you decided to own a pet? Will you be able to fulfill the responsibility of pet ownership, such as feeding, playing, and taking them to the vet when they catch an illness? These are questions you need to reflect on before deciding to own a puppy.
Price List for Different Dog Breeds
If you plan to really invest in a dog breed of your preference, this list of dog costs shall give you an idea. We gathered some of the most popular dog breeds in the Philippines and their price range.
Bichon Frise: ₱6,000 to ₱40,000
Pomeranian: ₱15,000 to ₱30,000
Golden Retriever: ₱15,000 to ₱40,000
Labrador Retriever: ₱15,000 to ₱40,000
Beagle: ₱15,000 to ₱40,000
Siberian Husky: ₱15,000 to ₱50,000
Chow Chow: ₱15,000 to ₱50,000
The Cost of Dog Ownership in the Philippines
1. Dog Food
Price range: ₱1,000 to ₱3,000
Keep your dog healthy by feeding them only quality pet food that will prolong their lifespan and keep them from canine illnesses. The monthly cost of dog food ranges from P8oo to P1,000, depending on the brand.
2. Dog Toys
Price range: ₱500 to ₱2,000
When you're not around to keep them company, an interactive dog toy shall keep them entertained and busy for an extended period of time.
3. Dog Leash
Price range: ₱100 to ₱500
Not all dogs are friendly even if they have never been caged or tethered. A high-quality dog leash and collar will help you to keep them at bay when you're going outside for dog walking.
4. Grooming tools and multivitamins
Price range: ₱100 to ₱5,000
Pet care includes bathing and giving them the items they need to keep their pleasant smell and overall hygiene. Grooming items and accessories include shampoo, soap, wet wipes, toothbrush and toothpaste, nail clipper, blanket, towel, and pet spray.
5. Routine vet visits
Price range: ₱250 to ₱1,000
Even if they aren't sick, pet owners must do a routine vet visit that will prevent them from developing severe and life-threatening illnesses. This is a cost-efficient way of taking care of your pets. Vet bills may add up to your expenses, but it's better than shelling out money later if they become sick due to little to no vet checkups made.
6. Neutering/Spaying
Price range: ₱1,000 to ₱5,000
Neutering is essential for pets to prevent hormone-related illnesses from befalling them. Also, this surgical procedure in dogs will reduce their aggression levels and overall sex drive.
7. Vaccinations
Price range: ₱250 to ₱700 per dose
Just like their hoomans, dogs need to be vaccinated for their safety and that of their owners, especially from the notorious rabies. Dog vaccines include canine parvovirus, canine adenovirus, canine distemper, and anti-rabies.
8. Pet Insurance
Price range: ₱1,125 to ₱2,815
Availing of pet insurance is arguably the height of pet owners' love and care for their furry babies. Pet insurance covers medical reimbursement, total permanent disability, accidental death, burial assistance, and pet loss.
9. Medical expenses
Price range: Varies
When your dog gets sick, it could get more financially challenging. According to Dr. Kat Tigas-dela Torre from The Filipino Doctor, pet parents must allocate funds amounting to P10,000-P15,000 for emergencies.
10. Dog Boarding
Price range: ₱300 to ₱700 a day
While this is not a universal practice among pet parents, this is very helpful and convenient if you need to travel or may need to be out of the house for days and you need a dog walker or a pet sitter to tend to your doggo.
Tips to Reduce your Dog Ownership Expenses
Consider adopting instead of buying an expensive breed. If you adopt from the Philippine Animal Welfare Society or PAWS, the adoption fee is P1,000. Adoption fees are much, much cheaper compared to the price of buying a pooch.
Don't get your dog in an onboarding facility unless very necessary. It should only be optional and not part of your actual budget for pet care and maintenance. Walk your dog over the weekend instead of hiring one for dog walking assistance.
Get your dog acquainted with equally canine-loving relatives with whom you could later entrust your furry baby if you need to go and no one's left to entertain your pup. Take note that your doggo must be generally friendly when you entrust them to a loved one.
Save up every month for your pet's expenses. Set up a savings fund for your pet's veterinary expenses, its grooming and nutrition needs, and the like.
Take advantage of free vaccines that may be offered by your local barangay. Don't hesitate to ask your local health center about dog vaccinations or when the schedule will be, especially for anti-rabies.
Make a pet insurance investment. Did you know that this type of insurance policy covers the owner as well? This includes coverage for the owner's disablement, accidental death, third-party liability, or assault. And it's affordable! Premium starts from an annual payment of P1,150 up to P2,800 with a benefit of up to ₱100,000 - ₱300,000 every year. It's a steal!
Taking good care of your pets, besides your sheer company, entails allocating funds to help cover their needs, from food, lodging, medical expenses, and more. This makes you a responsible pet owner who knows that pet ownership is a mixture of responsibility and a source of stress relief.
It is also important that your house and lot in the Philippines and the community where you live is a pet-friendly zone. At Lumina Homes, we take into account not only the comfort and convenience of human beings but also their furry friends if they are pet parents. This means there is enough space to walk your dog, and a affordable house and lot for sale to take and nurture your pet to.
If you're on the home hunt with affordability and quality as the two main factors you're considering, Lumina Homes is the excellent choice for a laidback lifestyle to fulfill the responsibility and joy of pet ownership. Become a Lumina homeowner this year and get your affordable house and lot where you can enjoy life with your furry babies!
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