WEBlue

I'd love to get a cat or dog once we find a house, but the husband is reluctant to OK getting a pet because he wants to travel. He may possibly need to travel for work, but even if not, the man loves to explore new places, & as a musician he wants to be free to attend festivals & music gatherings in other parts of the country.

I'm not such a travel-lover as he is, though I do enjoy some trips. He says having a pet will tie us down & cost us a LOT of money. Have you found a pet to be expensive here? We had a both a cat & a dog in the UK & vet bills there were an occasional *large* expense, even with pet insurance (for the cat). I don't know if they even have pet insurance here in this state, but I'll research that.

If you go away, is it expensive to organize care for your pet? We had neighbours who helped care for our pets in the UK, & we reciprocated. I would hope to do the same here, depending on what kind of neighbourhood we find a house in. Is this feasible for those of you who have pets here? Any input would be valuable . . . .

SultanOfSwing

We have a cat. Only major expense so far was a couple of hundred to have her done, then it's about $130.00 a year for her jabs and check-up at the vet. As far as care - we've only ever been away once for a week since we have had her but we just gave keys to a couple of friends and relatives who let themselves in to check on her and top up her food and water every few days. She's pretty independent so does well on her own. Once or twice we've stayed the night at the wife's granny's house and we've left her at home with no issues.

Yorkieabroad

We have a dog here, but its the first since I was a kid, so can't compare costs. She doesn't cost a lot in vets bills - we take her for an annual checkup which is about $50. She is 4, and I guess as she ages we may see some more bills coming in...

I dont know what her initial round of shots cost as she was a rescue mutt from the pound and they'd already given her everything. From memory her ongoing shots are Rabies every 3 years ($10), canine flu $28 annually, kennel cough $20 but not compulsory -we do it as we use the boarding quite a bit. You often see cheap or sometimes free shots advertised, but we've never used them - not sure if its vets or charities offering them.

We board her a few times a year (when we go back to the UK, ski trips etc) for $25/night at the vet that we take her to, which includes a nail trim, bath and anal sack express. Their rate depends on weight - ours is 45lbs. She gets really excited when she realizes where she is going, so we dont bother to upgrade her to the music and tv suite for an extra 15 a night. Some neighbors used to pay over $80 a night for their (admittedly larger) dog at one of the pet "hotels" which got it a color tv (err, dont dogs see B&W or is that a myth), daily massage, swimming pool, etc etc.

Pet insurance round here runs 25-30/month for her, but there are so many restrictions that we haven't bothered with it.

Yorkieabroad

Oh yeah, she has a monthly heartworm tablet as well, which runs about $20 a month I think

joto

There is pet health insurance here from various company's. It will vary in price, probably depending on the area you live in, what animal you have, its age and any previous medical conditions. Our dogs only go to the vet for their shots and check ups, or if there is any health concerns. It's usually around $40-$50 per check up. The only major expenses was last year when we had to get our old Boxer a check up, and x rays to discover he had cancer and treatment to keep him pain free and comfortable (no chemo) and then his euthenasia.
Other than that, the fees for their boarding at the vets is comparable to other kennels and they are happy staying there. I would not be comfortable about having someone coming in the house when we were away, so that's the best solution for us.
Instead of using pet insurance, you could put a set amount into a separate, pet care, account every week, month, just for pet care expenses.

sanfranjones

My clients dog got bitten by a rattle snake at the weekend, anti-venom is $500 a vial. All in the weekend cost him over $2k.

Jerseygirl

We had 2 dogs...the one we bought when we bought this house almost 14 years ago died 6 months ago. She was a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and we have a 7 yr old long haired Chihuahua. I do not have pet healthcare insurance. Over the years neither have cost a great deal in vet fees...apart from the routine visits, annual shots, spaying, teeth cleaning etc.

Yes they are tying but I'm sure they give me much more pleasure and happiness than I give them. We had a lady who used to come in 4 times a day to look after them when we were away. This worked out great for a few of years. Unfortunately she used to bring her 2 kids with her and the odd thing got broken. Then the odd thing started to disappear...kids had broken something so she took it home to get it repaired and forgot about it. Coffee mugs missing...she made herself a cup of coffee to go and forgot to bring the mug back. The final straw came when I found out she'd been cooking meals for her and her kids at my house...using my food. Now we will not have anyone in the house when we are away...so we started take to them to the local kennels. It is very expensive. For my little dog it costs approx $100 per day. This does not include extras like playtime, swimming (yes they have a large indoor pool for the dogs!!) etc.

Here are some old threads re pet insurance:

http://britishexpats.com/forum/showt...&highlight=pet

http://britishexpats.com/forum/showt...&highlight=pet

Yorkieabroad

$100 a DAY for a chihuahua? .Thats crazy!

Jerseygirl

She is tiny...only weighs 3 1/2 lbs. That works out around $30 per lb per day.

lisa67

Our kennels charges $30 per night. Both our dogs vaccines cost about $80 a year plus heart worm and tick/flea stuff.

AmerLisa

Kennel costs are the most expensive thing we encounter. I'd say in a year's time we easily spend $1000 to $1500.

Nutmegger

My expenses for my dogs here in CT are a lot more in line with Jerseygirl's in NJ than Yorkieabroad's in TX. Vet office visits $50 plus the cost of whatever shots or treatment; spay/neuter around $500; last specialist surgery was $2,000; heartworm meds every month; Lyme and diptheria etc. shot each year; rabies every two years for younger dogs. For walks/sitting: $17 per visit to be let out during the day; $70 for an overnight sitter in-house.

Weeze

We pay $30/ night for kennels with a pool and 5 activities a day (cuddle time, swimming etc). I have my last vets bills here, so we were $116 for 6 months heart worm and flea tablets, $68 health check, $110 shots and bloodwork/poo check). We have an accident prone border collie so we have pet insurance.

N1cky

Our last vet fees in Bay Area, CA were
Annual Exam $191
6 months heartworm $60
6 month flea treatment $98

To have her spayed was $400

Our pet insurance premium is $30 per month.

We have some friends who look after her while we are away, if they are around, otherwise we pay $45 per night boarding.

The other expensive item is dog toys. My dog in the UK was much more aggresive and her toys would last weeks. My mild mannered dog here, destroys them in less than 1 hour. I'm fetching a suitcase back with me next time I go back to England

Don't know if you are planning on buying, but obviously not all rental properties allow dogs and you will have to pay an additional (sometimes none refundable) deposit.

Bob

We had rats. They were great.

Hassle going on trips having to bring them with us or leaving them with friends though.

Vets are really expensive...as is general "maintenance".

Don't know how if you need to get a pet license out your way, but for cats/dogs, you do down this way.