Labranard

The Ottawa Humane Society has seen an increase in the number of pets being surrendered due to the unexpected high costs associated with owning a pet. Many owners failed to find out the costs associated with owning a pet before they jumped in.

Bruce Roney, executive director of the Ottawa Humane Society, is quoted in the CBC article Pets cost too much for Ottawa owners:

“They’re thinking, ‘free kitten’,” Roney said. “They don’t realize that, that kitten is going to cost them – just for routine care – about 900$ a year.”

Large breed dogs, like a Labranard mix, are going to cost much more than that each year.

For example, Roxie, a ~120lbs St. Bernard / Labrador mix, consumes approximately 45-50lbs (20-22kg) of food a month. An average large breed dog food costs around $45-$50 for a 40lbs (18kg) bag which means food costs alone will be $600 per year.

A Labrador that has recently visited his Vet to be neutered.

Roxie’s basic yearly vet checkup which includes 6 months of Sentinel for the summer months and her yearly shots, is around $350. Add another $150 for dewormer for the other 6 months (which you’ll want if you have small kids).  Then there are visits to the groomer ($100+ each time due to size), treats, toys and other consumables like dog beds.  Oh, and don’t forget about your dog registration costs which vary for each municipality.

That’s around $1400/year for pretty basic care for a large breed dog.

But before you even get to the ongoing yearly costs, you need to factor in the first year costs. This includes having the dog spayed/neutered, rabies vaccinations (which typically need to be updated every 3-5 years) and obedience training. For Roxie, that came to around $1000 in the first year alone.

This is turning into quite the investment. Now, if you’re putting thousands of dollars into having a pet like a Labranard, you should really consider protecting that investment. Not only from a financial point of view, but from a family member point of view. Pet Insurance is the best way to protect your pet. Now, not all pet insurance is the same so you need to do some investigation to determine what is best for you and your pet. One pet insurance provider offers 4 different plans for a St. Bernard Cross that range in coverage. Prices start at $12/mon and go up to $55/mon. The “typical” plan is approx $30/mon.

And when the time comes and you have to euthanize your dog, you’ll need to have money set aside. For a large breed dog like a Labranard, you will likely pay extra to have your pet euthanized, cremated and returned. For Roxie, that came to ~$600.

So, are you still thinking of getting a large breed dog like a Labranard? If so, make sure your financial plan is ready for at least $2500 in the first year and around $1800/year after that.

And yes, costs can vary depending on where you live and how you treat your pet. Some people don’t see the need for yearly vet visits, pet insurance or things like grooming. That’s fine, it’s your pet and your choice.

Image Credit - Samat Jain