If you're looking to bring a new puppy into your life, you may be wondering about the potential financial implications that come with it. Find out everything you need to know with our handy guide.
Deciding to get a new puppy is incredibly exciting, but often, people don't spend enough time thinking about the financial obligations that go with it. While you may believe that it's simply a case of having enough money to purchase your furrever friend, your puppy's first year brings a wealth of costs that you need to account for too.
If you're thinking of opening up your home to a new puppy, you may be wondering how much does a puppy cost? Keep reading to find out how much are puppy vaccinations and what other expenses you should expect in your pup's first year.
How much is a puppy?
The first question on your journey to puppy ownership will likely be how much does a puppy cost? The first factor that will influence this is the breed, as more in-demand breeds like Labradors and Bulldogs will always carry a higher price tag.
Another question to consider when asking how much is a puppy is that if you're buying from a reputable breeder, the costs will likely be higher. This is due to the fact that the sale of a puppy needs to cover running their business as well as providing high quality care. There are many costs a breeder will have to cover such as screening tests for the parents (if they're a breed prone to illnesses), possibly stud services, de-worming and vaccination costs, registration fees and so much more. One thing to be aware of is to watch out for low prices, these can indicate a puppy mill or farm or reflect poor quality of care.
If you're not prepared to shell out hundreds or sometimes thousands on a puppy, you could consider adopting a puppy instead. You'll still have to pay a fee which will cover their time at the centre, but this will usually be considerably less than buying a puppy from a breeder. Additionally, your adoption fee will also probably cover vaccinations and neutering (providing they're old enough).
How much are puppy vaccinations?
Once you've got your puppy, the next step is vaccinations. These are essential as they'll protect your puppy against diseases or illnesses. The puppy vaccinations cost will depend on your veterinarian, but these will usually range between RM100 - RM200.
They'll need these first vaccinations when they're 6 - 8 weeks old, with the second following 1 - 2 weeks later. When buying from a reputable breeder or rescue centre, these vaccinations will usually already have been done before you pick them up. After that, you'll need to take your pup for an annual booster. If your puppy hasn't yet had their injections, some veterinarians will offer a 'puppy club scheme' which will cover puppy vaccination costs and may also include microchipping and help with neutering.
Spaying or neutering a puppy
This question should definitely factor in to your calculations into how much a puppy costs. If you don't intend to use your dog for breeding, you should consider getting them spayed or neutered. Spays will range between RM200 - RM400.
Spays will be more expensive as it involves internal organs, whereas castrations will be cheaper. The cost will also depend on the breed and size of your dog, as larger dogs will cost more because they'll require more anaesthetic and the surgery will take longer. If you need financial support with this, many animal charities and organisations can help owners cover the cost of these procedures too.
Young puppies require a lot of training and attention and if you're new to dog ownership, puppy training classes can be a great idea. Not only can they tell you how to teach your puppy good manners, but they're also an excellent way to socialise your puppy as if you choose a group training class, there will be plenty of other pups to play with.
Routine worming treatments
Another cost to factor in to your puppy cost considerations is regular worming treatments. Puppies are actually most at risk for contracting worms and this is due to the fact that they can be passed on in utero and through the mother's milk. The initial worming usually takes place when your pup is aged between two - three weeks, then it'll need to be done fortnightly until they're twelve weeks old. After this, your puppy will need to be wormed once a month until they reach six months of age.
Regular de-worming is something that will be consistent throughout your dog's life and to keep them healthy, it's recommended to worm at least three times a year. On average, de-worming a dog would cost about RM15 - RM20 depending on the dog's weight and size. You should also ensure that you purchase an option that's specifically suited to your dog's weight/size.
Flea treatment costs
Another regular puppy cost you'll need to think about is flea treatments. It's important to keep on top of this and remember to de-flea your dog once a month to ensure both your pup is healthy and to prevent a potential infestation in your home.
Flea treatments should range between RM25 - RM35 and you can find this at your local store or buy it from your trusted vet. Similar to worming treatment, you'll also need to choose an option that's suitable for your pup's size and weight.
Doggy day-care
If you have a full-time job, you'll need to find someone to care for your pup throughout the day. There are a wealth of dog day-care and sitting services available, including dog walking -which involves an individual collecting your dog from your house and taking them on a walk - and doggy day-care services, where your pup will be taken to spend the day at a dedicated centre, full of other dogs for them to play with.
On average, dog day-care services will be around RM150 - RM200 a day, depending on the centre as well as the size of your dog. Where this may seem like a menial amount if only needed as a one-off cost, if you're working a 5-day week and need regular dog care, this will soon stack up. You could be looking at up to a whopping RM1000 a week!
Dog grooming costs
If you have a longer coated breed, they'll usually require additional attention from a groomer, and this can work out to be quite costly. When it comes to the price of dog grooming, it will largely depend on your dog’s breed and size but it would usually be between RM70 - RM200 per session and this also depends which grooming centre you go to.
Costs of puppy essentials
This is the most important bit that you have to know when it comes to adopting a dog. Adopting a dog of your own would require for you to take care of its regular meals and don't forget their snacks too! On an average, you could end up spending about RM150 - RM300 on their meals, depending on the ingredients of the meal. The more complex the recipe of the ingredients, the more expensive it will be. It also depends on your dog's appetite as that would affect the quantity you need a month! Do check out all of ourDry Dog Food range to find out which dog food suits your dog the best!
As for treats, you could easily get a pack that costs as low as RM5 up to RM40, depending on the pack size and the dog size.
Once you get to the puppy teething stage, you’ll find your four-legged friend may go through toys faster than you thought possible. It’s a good idea to purchase a variety of toys, including plenty of hard wearing chews to save both your furniture and hands. Good quality toys will cost around RM15 - RM100 – but this is depending on the toy type, as rope toys and tennis balls will always be significantly cheaper, yet they might not last as long.
You’ll also need to think about sleeping arrangements for your new pup. It’s important that you provide them with somewhere comfy to nap throughout the day – and as a puppy they’ll need to nap frequently! The average price of dog beds range between RM200 - RM500, but this will depend on the size and overall quality.
Your new puppy will need a collar and harness to prepare them for trips out into the wider world. You’ll probably go through several collars as your puppy grows and believe us, they grow quickly!
Before your puppy is fully toilet trained, putting training pads around your house in areas they’re likely to toilet can be a real-life saver. These training pads will cost between RM15 - RM25 (depending on pack size), but could save you hundreds in carpet cleaning fees.
Whenever your pup has had their vaccinations and is ready to start going on daily walks, you’ll always have to make sure you have poo bags to hand! Poop bags will usually cost around RM5 - RM15, depending on quantity and brand.
So that's everything you need to know about how much does a puppy cost! Want to find out more about getting a new dog? Take a look at our content hub for more useful guides and advice.
