Cost of Owning a Dog: Lifetime Expenses Breakdown

This is not just a rundown; it's a heartfelt appeal to those who impulsively decide to adopt a dog. It's a call for clarity regarding the responsibilities you're about to undertake; a gentle nudge for those still contemplating, urging you to take more time to consider whether dog ownership is truly right for you. After all, your decadeplus is just a fraction of its lifetime.

Today, let's take the example of raising a French Bulldog in the city, and calculate the expenses associated with food, toys, veterinary care, and everyday essentials, while ensuring we meet the dog's basic needs.

1. Purchasing the Dog

First off, let's get something straight: Don't expect to adopt a French Bulldog; be prepared to invest in one. Although there are more and more breeders specializing in French Bulldogs, the offspring of famous lines still command thousands, if not tens of thousands, of yuan. Today, we won't delve into those highend prices, but a petgrade French Bulldog will set you back around 3,000 yuan – not too steep, right?

2. Dog Food

When it comes to dog food costs, the French Bulldog has a story to tell. After all, that chunky physique doesn't just appear out of thin air. With an average lifespan of 8 to 10 years, let's average it at 9 years old.

Given that we all know the price of dog food, let's go with 20 yuan per pound, and assume a consumption of 10 pounds per month.

9 years 12 months 10 pounds 20 yuan = 21,600 yuan

3. Nutritional Supplements

As puppies, they need calcium tablets, and as they age, they'll require other supplements like probiotics and vaccines, which are recommended once or twice a year after they reach adulthood. Add in quarterly deworming products and a variety of vitamins, and let's estimate an expense of 100 yuan per month.

100 yuan 12 months 9 years = 10,800 yuan

4. Veterinary Care

Those who have raised Bull Terriers know that this breed is more prone to health issues than others, including interdigital dermatitis, polyps, occasional stomach upsets, and skin conditions in the summer. Let's budget 800 yuan per year for these concerns.

800 yuan 9 years = 7,200 yuan

5. Daily Expenses

Do you buy a leash? Dogs need walks; toys? Otherwise, you might find your belongings in disarray; treats? Without them, expect mischief; a crate? If you're not home, do you plan to let it roam freely? And what about a brush? Since French Bulldogs have short hair, we can skip that; grooming at home? Then you'll need a blow dryer, and the list goes on. Let's estimate these costs at 200 yuan per month.

200 yuan 12 months 9 years = 21,600 yuan

Costs Breakdown: Buying the dog 3,000 yuan, Dog food 21,600 yuan, Nutritional supplements 10,800 yuan, Veterinary care 7,200 yuan, Daily expenses 21,600 yuan

Total: 64,200 yuan

That's nearly 70,000 yuan! Have you taken the time to carefully consider this figure?

70,000 yuan isn't an exorbitant amount, but it's also not peanuts. With that money, you could buy the latest iPhone every year for the next seven years. Yet, the lifetime expenses of raising a French Bulldog may far exceed this amount.

Choosing to adopt a dog is because it brings us countless joys and comforts. It's not just a friend; it has become an indispensable member of our family. The years and the bond we share with our pets are invaluable and cannot be measured in monetary terms.