Source: Africa Studio/Shutterstock.com There are lots of benefits to owning a dog. Not only can it encourage you to have a healthier lifestyle, but dogs provide some emotional companionship, too! They can bring such happiness into your life. There’s nothing better than seeing a dog’s excited face and heavy tail wags. But, owning a dog comes with a lot of responsibility. It isn’t just about taking them outside or feeding them consistently. There’s a lot of other aspects to dog ownership that can quickly add up if you’re not careful or budget accordingly. Let’s walk through the basic categories of typical expenses you’ll incur as a dog owner and ways you can cut back on costs! Food and Treats Dog food and various treats can easily be very expensive. If your dog has to eat prescription food, then that’s also typically much more expensive because the food is specially made with various medicines and other ingredients. It is important to feed your dog high-quality foods, though! You can easily spend up to $700 per year for food and treats. However, your veterinarian can provide you with a list of the best foods your pet can eat that won’t break the bank. Toys and Beds All dogs deserve toys and beds to chill out with! Whether they’re munching on a toy bone or chasing a ball around the house, they need something that will keep them entertained. Then, after they’ve exerted all their energy, they need somewhere to lie down! Depending on the dog you get, they might not be able to easily jump up on the couch or bed, so having their own bed is a must. Dog toys and beds are some of the best gifts for new puppy owners, so that’s one major way you can cut back on costs initially. Everyone will be giving you toys so you don’t have to buy them! Looking for Gifts for New Puppy Owners? We Have the Perfect Options! Vet Care and Medications Your dog should go to the vet regularly. This includes vaccinations, dental work and wellness exams. Lab work should also be done with your dog. This is one of the most important things about dog ownership besides daily walks and feeding your dog consistently! Your dog can’t be fully healthy unless it’s being seen by a vet regularly. When your dog sees a vet regularly, they will get their annual vaccinations. Some of these vaccinations, such as rabies, are important to list on your dog’s personalized dog tag so other pet owners will know your pet is safe. Source: Andrii Medvednikov/Shutterstock.com Vet care can be very expensive. Unfortunately, if your dog develops cancer or some other disease, they might need expensive medications or treatment. This is on top of all the routine medications, such as flea medicine or heartworm medicine. You can easily end up spending over $3,000 a year on both vet treatment and medications if your dog is in need of serious treatment. Tags, Leashes, Collars and Harnesses You’ll want to put a collar on your dog. Even if you live on seven acres of land, it’s still important to have a collar on your dog with a tag, as well as a leash and harness. If your dog gets loose or runs away, you’ll want something that will help them be easily located. Leashes and harnesses are great for when you take your dog out on walks or with you on any trips, such as hiking or camping. A silicone dog tag is perfect for your pet because it won’t rust like metal ones! Before You Get Your Dog, Have a Silicone Dog Tag Ready for Them You’ll also want to be sure to get a harness for your dog. Many dog owners assume they only need a leash to clip onto their dog’s collar; however, some evidence has shown dogs are more likely to suffer neck injuries with leashes directly clipped to their collars. Keeping your dog safe and healthy is an important part of pet ownership, so make sure to get a harness for your dog! You can clip their pet tags and other things to their harness as well. Source: Olga Aniven/Shutterstock.com Grooming Your dog will also need to be groomed consistently! Clipping nails, clipping fur…your dog shouldn’t go too long without being groomed. Grooming can be a very expensive part of dog ownership. A very expensive groomer can cost over $250 per visit, but if you teach yourself to do certain things, you can actually cut your costs to about $30 a year!