One of the joys of being human is that we get to share our planet with pets. If you’re lucky enough to own one, you’ll know how much they can brighten your day. But you’ll also be aware they don’t come cheap. The average cost of owning a dog can range anywhere from $1,000 to $5,225 a year—and that’s just for essentials. When it comes to emergency vet visits, you could find yourself needing to sell a kidney.
A guy has shared how he was pet-sitting his friend's dog when it suddenly became violently ill. When he couldn't get hold of the owner, he panicked and rushed the dog to the vet. When his friend returned to a bill of $1,400, she completely lost it. She's accusing him of forcing her into debt, and he's now wondering if he did the right thing. Bored Panda reached out to Dr. Rebecca Greenstein, the Veterinary Medical Advisor for online pet-sitting platform Rover. And she was kind enough to give her expert opinion on the matter.
Just like humans, dogs might need medical care now and again
Image credits: Getty Images / Unsplash (not the actual photo)
When one guy rushed his friend's dog to the vet for emergency surgery, he wasn't expecting her to react as angrily as she did
Image credits: Yan Krukau / Pexels (not the actual photo)
Image credits: BlackDynamite_7
Image credits: Alex P / Pexels (not the actual photo)
"The pet's health and well-being is always the most important outcome": An expert weighs in
Dr. Rebecca Greenstein is the Veterinary Medical Advisor for Rover, an online pet-sitting and services platform that pairs pet owners with a nationwide network of pet sitters, daycare providers, and dog walkers in the United States. We asked the expert what advice she had for the pet sitter.
"It's an extremely unfortunate situation for the pet sitter," said Greenstein, adding that the pet sitter acted in the interest of the dog. "The pet's health and well-being is always the most important outcome in situations like this one. If the pet parent can't be reached and the vet recommends the dog be admitted, the sitter isn't left with many alternatives."
"Moving forward, I would recommend pet-sitting only if you have the support of a company like Rover behind you," advised Greenstein. "If you are going to sit for a friend, at least ensure they have a robust insurance policy in place and out of an abundance of caution put a plan in place for an emergency situation."
So what should someone do if the animal they are pet-sitting suddenly becomes very sick? According to Greenstein, it's super important to act quickly and effectively to ensure the pet's health and well-being.
"Contact the pet parent immediately to inform them of the situation. The owner may have important information about the dog’s health history, medications, or allergies that could be relevant," Greenstein told Bored Panda.
"If a pet parent can't be reached, contact the pet's vet immediately and listen to their advice and instructions," she added. "If you are unsure of the pet's normal vet, call a nearby emergency clinic."
The vet will advise whether the pet needs to be brought in or whether the pet sitter should monitor its condition at home. "If needed, they should take the dog to the clinic promptly," advised Greenstein.
The expert's advice to pet owners is to err on the side of caution. "To avoid such an unfortunate situation, I would recommend two added layers of protection for next time: book a sitter through a pet-sitting service, like Rover; and, get pet insurance," she said.
Image credits: Kaboompics.com / Pexels (not the actual photo)
Being a dog parent doesn't come cheap and potential pet owners aren't always prepared
A dog can start dipping deep into your bank account before you even bring it home for the first time. You’ll need to have their food, bowls, toys, bedding, leash, and more ready. Then, of course, you’ll need to pay the adoption fee, or breeder's price.
According to Prudent Pet, the world's most expensive dog comes with a hefty price tag of around $14,000. The rare Samoyed breed originates from Siberia, and they are known for their "kind, loving, and eager-to-please attitude," along with their smiling faces.
However, the site warns that the breed racks up vet bills like no other dog. "They’re prone to expensive health issues, such as corneal dystrophy, autoimmune conditions, and cardiac disorders that can mount to around $5,000."
Regardless of what breed you choose or whether you adopt or shop, there are also vaccinations, tick and flea treatments, and deworming costs to consider. If Fido needs grooming, you'll be forking out for that too. Training costs a pretty penny, as does doggy daycare, should you choose to go that route.
According to Rover's Cost of Dog Parenthood in 2024 report, the total cost of getting a new doggo ranges from $870 to $4,565. And that's just for the first year. Annually, you're looking at spending around $1,000 on the low end to $5,225 on the high end. Throw in the optional extras and your furkid's expenses can reach around $6,235 per year.
Rover's research shows the average dog owner "may spend anywhere from $80-$440 per month on their dog." It's a 55% increase since 2023.
Just like humans, doggies need their teeth cleaned and checked. Owners that do opt for some doggo dentist trips pay anywhere from $630-$1,145, depending on what needs to be done.
"Hopefully you’ll never need to make a trip to the emergency vet," notes the report. "But if you do, the typical visit can cost up to almost $3,000." Pet insurance will increase your monthly costs by a bit, but you'll be glad you went that route should you ever have to rush your best friend in for emergency surgery.
"With the exponential rise in veterinary costs over the past few years (especially in the emergency department), pet insurance buffers pet owners from financial crisis and can be literally life-saving for some pets," Greenstein told us.
It goes without saying that being a dog parent doesn't come cheap. But we at Bored Panda really do feel it's worth it. After all, you can't put a price on unconditional love...
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