It is said that the dog is man’s best friend. A unique company that always is. Accompany and fill every home with love. And of course, it causes headaches from time to time when it breaks or bites into things it shouldn’t. But how much does it cost to own a pet in Argentina in a year marked by high inflation and salaries that lag a step behind prices?
Keeping a dog is not adoption and nothing more. There are many monthly expenses to consider: the prices for food, vaccines, antiparasitics, and baths, among other things, weigh heavily on the wallet. Not to mention the walkers who often become essential in the midst of everyday and city life.
First of all, you have to consider the food. The price varies, of course, depending on the quality and size of the food. But in general, for quality small animal food, you can expect a $7,000 bag to last about 20 days. For a large animal, on the other hand, a 30-pound bag costs about $20,000 over the same period.
There is also more maintenance. The antiparasitic drugs, which need to be administered monthly, cost about $3,500. Meanwhile, those that are internal cost $1,200 and are administered every three months.
Vaccines are another factor that adds up at the end of the month. Each canine dose is approximately $6,000 and is administered twice per year. One caveat: For recently adopted pets, five or six vaccinations are ideal, so expect an investment of $36,000. This does not include the fees of the veterinarians.
In conclusion, it is necessary to take into account the cost of bathing and haircuts, which should be done at least once a month. This service is offered at different prices, ranging from $4,000 to $6,000.
Those who decide to hire a dog handler service still need to add another item that goes to the convention area in downtown Buenos Aires, for example, for $500 to $1,500 depending on the weather in the area.
the final numbers
Calculator in hand, it’s time for the final numbers. So, taking all items into account, maintaining a small dog would cost a total of $20,000 without a walker and $40,000 with this weekday service. For a large dog, calculate $39,500 per month without a walker and $59,500 with a Monday-Friday guide.
