As someone who is financially not in a place to have a dog at the moment, what do you think is a realistic goal to work towards? Like how much money (like per month) should one be able to spend on dog stuff? I realise it must depend on all sorts of factors, but any idea of ballparks? :/ (savings would exist and be used for emergency vet stuff and other sudden larger costs). I’m resisting being irresponsible and getting a dog when I know I can;’t afford one, but it’d be nice to have a goal, y’kno

The cost of food, toys, vet care, and accessories is going to depend on the size of your dog. My dog is a Great Dane mix and his $70 bag of dog food lasts a month. The same bag of dog food would last a Jack Russell 6 months. Veterinarians usually charge by weight, the bigger the toys the more expensive, the bigger the collar and leash the more expensive, bigger bones and treats cost more, and even preventatives like frontline and heart guard are more for larger dogs.

Google says, “…the total first-year cost of owning a dog is $1,270 and for a cat it’s $1,070. As you can see, having a pet can cost you over $1,000 in the first year, and well over $500 each additional year. Depending on the food you buy and your actual medical expenses, the costs could be much higher.”