How much does it cost to have a dog in Australia?

First, select a qualified and experienced breeder. Before reserving a puppy, you need to understand the social preferences, space requirements, exercise needs, and genetic diseases of different dog breeds. Reservations are usually made after the dog mother is pregnant, or for some breeds, a deposit needs to be paid before the breeding takes place. Breeders are generally located far away, so early preparation is necessary. Dog costs range from $2,000 to $10,000.

What other costs are involved in owning a dog?

1. Dog bed (puppies may not know where to sleep, so you need to guide them to the designated sleeping area when they come home. Puppies may chew on the bed, so it doesn’t need to be too expensive.)
2. Crate (we chose the largest XL size from Kmart, considering that the dog will need space when alone at home.)
3. Food bowl, water bowl, scoop, toilet, pee pads, toys (you can start with softer toys), comb and nail clippers.
4. Internal and external parasite control medications, ear cleaning solution, shampoo, deodorant, attractants, etc.
5. Dry dog food (we chose the brand the breeder recommended, but it can be changed as the dog grows and based on actual needs.)
6. Wet dog food (my dog vomited after eating it, so I rarely feed it now. It could be either my feeding method or something she ate outside that day.)
7. Various dog treats (puppies might need too many treats since the dog food is already quite enticing)
8. Supplements: probiotics, fish oil alternately added to their meals.
9. When the puppy is slightly older, around 4-5 months, start buying dental chews and chew toys so that their teeth will be white and well-aligned.
10. Leash for outdoor walks: We have used both collar and harness, but collar training works better when they are small.
11. Retractable leash: We have used adjustable, regular, and elastic ones. We found the adjustable ones are needed when they are small to provide more freedom of movement.
12. Water bottle, small and easily chewable treats are recommended for training purposes.
13. Nightlight, muzzle: The nightlight makes it easy to see the dog at night, and the muzzle can prevent them from eating things off the floor
14. Insurance: You might want to have pet insurance because veterinary care in Australia can be quite expensive. We have coverage that costs around $65 per month and covers 80%. Previously, our dog had a hospital stay that cost $5000, and we can’t imagine what would have happened without insurance!

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