Free Money Finance Top 10 Most Hated Posts/Themes: #1 The Cost of Pets

Here's my most-hated theme of all time: the cost of pets.

As many of you know, I have a whole category devoted to the cost of pets. Some of the posts that make this category a loser in most people's minds are as follows:

• How Much Would You be Willing to Spend to Save Your Pet's Life?

• Calculating the True Cost of a Pet

• Comments: Sell Your House to Save Your Pet's Life

• Annual Pet Costs and A Money Saving Tip (Get a Cat)

• Annual Pet Costs and A Money Saving Tip (Get a Bird)

• Cost of Pets According to the SPCA

• Annual Costs of Pets

• Are Pets Really that Expensive?

• The True Cost of a Pet Dog

• Cost of a Dog = Cost of a Car

• You Choose -- Pets or College for the Kids

I think the reason that people don't like this topic is that most pet owners consider their pets part of the family (similar to a child) and to try and put a monetary value on the pet seems reprehensible to them. I can sympathize with this position a bit. Others try to argue that pets aren't really that expensive -- despite facts from pro-pet organizations like the SPCA. I think these people are simply in denial.

Of course it's your money and you can spend it on whatever you like. But here are a few thoughts you should consider as you think about this issue:

1. Pets are an expense. My best guess is that a medium-sized dog costs $1,000 per year on average. That's a good chunk of change you're committing to over 10-15 years when you pick up a puppy.

2. Considering the issue of the cost of pets isn't a slam on Rover and Fluffy -- it's simply a recognition that there are expenses that go along with them.

3. I've had pets all my life and I love them. So don't get mad at me when I bring up the issue -- I'm just the messenger. ;-)

Comments

[Blaine Moore (First Time Homeowner)]

If the problem people have with these posts is because they consider the cost of a pet as necessary because they are part of the family, maybe you need to spend a lot more time talking about the cost of having children...maybe that would rile them up even more.

[Lord]

A $1000 doesn't seem unreasonable, $500 would probably be the bare minimum, but the sky is the limit for medical care.

[Skott]

I just read this article that analyzes whether Brand-X dog food is a better value than premium brands. Interesting conclusion! If you're a dog owner, you might find it helpful: http://www.gooddogmagazine.com/dogfoodcosts.htm

[LivingAlmostLarge]

Sigh, I'm one of the posters who wrote about the cost of pets being a stupid mistake. Still I'm a diehard dog owner married to a another diehard dog lover. Our boys are our kids. And probably always will. I grew up with dogs, love them unconditionally, had one as a buddy from birth, I am not sure if I can do without.

But the costs is easily $1k/year, yeah right probably more. But whatever, it's still cheaper than kids. And it's not the same responsibility, it has similar parallels, and it can easy someone into the idea of kids, but it's not the same.