A dog is a big commitment, and one of the most important
factors to consider when buying or adopting a furry friend is the cost.
There is not only the upfront cost of buying or adopting the
dog, there are also lifelong expenses, including food, veterinary care, medicine, and other
supplies. According the ASPCA, you can
expect to spend $1,580 in the first year alone for a medium-sized dog (not including the cost
of buying the dog), and about $695 every year that follows.
These numbers can vary, of course, and one factor that can
impact the lifetime cost of a dog is their breed. Some breeds are
just more prone to health problems, which can translate into
high healthcare costs. Trupanion released a list of the
most expensive breeds based on insurance claims submitted
to their company. So what are the most expensive dog breeds to
own?
These large, handsome dogs are extremely loyal and make
wonderful family pets. But they
can also be expensive to care for, as they are prone to
cataracts, gastric torsion,
elbow dysplasia, and mast cell tumors. The average claim
according to Trupanion is $412.85, and the total amount spent
on the breed between 2000 and 2010 was $553,660.57, with 76% of
that amount associated with illnesses
English Bulldogs are famous for their adorable wrinkles and loving demeanors. They are
also playful, friendly to strangers, good with children, and if introduced
early, can get along well with other pets. However, these dogs
are also prone to a number of health issues, including brachycephalic syndrome, cherry eye, elongated soft palate, hip dysplasia, patellar luxation, and stenotic nares. Trupanion puts the
average claim amount at $370.57, and the total amount spent on
the breed from 2000 to 2010 at $1,152,947.32, with 84% related
to illnesses.
French Bulldogs are small, boxy dogs with darling snub noses and large bat-like ears. They are natural clowns and very curious, and they love to play and cuddle up to their owners. If the French Bulldog sounds like the ideal dog, consider the cost: according to Trupanion, the average claim is $355.63, and the total amount spent on French Bulldogs between 2000 and 2012 was $384,325.78, with 87% associated with illnesses. French Bulldogs are prone to allergies, and like their English cousins, brachycephalic syndrome, hip dysplasia, and stenotic nares.
The “Gentle Giant” gets its nickname from its incredible size
(males can weigh up to 200 pounds) and its friendly, laid-back
demeanor. These dogs can also be gigantically pricey. Trupanion
puts the average claim at $385.49, and the total amount spent
on the breed at $462,204.97, with 77% associated with
illnesses. Common health issues that plague the Great Dane
include elbow dysplasia, hip dysplasia, cardiomyopathy, and gastric torsion.
Rottweilers don’t have the best reputation, but in reality
these dogs are loyal, gentle, and even act like goofballs
around the people they know best. They are also natural guard
dogs, and with the right training can be taught to protect your
family but not be aggressive at
the wrong times. The costs of owning a Rottweiler can be high,
however. They regularly suffer from allergies, elbow dysplasia,
hypothyroidism, and gastric
torsion. The average claim amount? $567.53. And Trupanion
policyholders spent $532,261.93 on this breed between 2000 and
2012 -- 63% for illnesses.
The dog breeds listed here can all make wonderful pets, but be
prepared to budget for potential medical issues. You may also
want to consider pet insurance or
a membership plan, which can save you a
lot of money and stress in the long run.
The Most Expensive Cat Breeds
The price of a cat, or any pet for that matter, does not just
include the initial cost of purchasing or adopting the animal. There’s the
lifetime costs of feeding,
providing a home for, and caring for the little guy. Thinking
of the cost of pet
ownership in these terms, the American Society for the Prevention of
Cruelty to Animals tabulates the initial year of cat
ownership to cost, on average, $1,035 (price of the cat not
included) and every year after that to cost about $670.
What about the cats themselves? According to the Humane
Society of the United States, up to 25 percent of animals
in shelters are purebreds and these pets are usually less
expensive than those purchased (or even those that are gifted)
because the cost of vaccinations, spaying or neutering, microchipping, and deworming are often
included in adoption fees. On the low end of the
spectrum, Kiplinger lists the
average lifetime cost of a cat around $7,760 and on the high
end, for more expensive cat breeds, around $15,260—not
including unforeseen healthcare
costs for either number. So what are the most
expensive cats out there?
So How Do Lifetime Expenses of Cat Ownership Vary by Breed?
Trupanion, the pet health insurance company, has released a list of the most expensive breeds, based on pet insurance claims submitted by their owners.
Over the course of this cat’s life insurance claims total, on average, $74,638. According to Trupanian statistics, more than three-fourths of the costs are associated with illness, and less than a quarter are tied to accidents. Known health issues for Siamese include respiratory problems, cardiomyopathy, and anesthesia sensitivity.
With a history of health concerns like cataracts and progressive retinal atrophy, health insurance claims for this breed can total to $73,408 over a cat’s life, with nearly all claims being related to medical issues and less than five percent related to accidents.
For this breed, eighty-nine percent of healthcare related costs, amounting to $69,449 over a lifetime, are tied to disease. Illnesses common to Himalayans include joint problems, polycystic kidney disease, idiopathic facial dermatitis, and more.
This third-most popular breed in 2012 is also the fourth most expensive breed in terms of lifetime healthcare costs, coming in at around $63,683. Ninety percent of those insurance claim expenses are tied to illness—of which this pet is known to inherit gum, heart, and liver disease, along with hip dysplasia.
Due to health related costs, these cats generally set owners back $40,442 over their lives. Cardiomyopathy is the primary disease associated with this breed.
The Most Expensive “Designer” Cat
The cost of purchasing “the world’s most expensive cat,” as dubbed by Metro, the Ashera, starts at $27,950, but some have reported the cost to be as high as $125,000. This large, leopard type cat is a new breed and is not yet recognized by The International Cat Association or by The Cat Fanciers’ Association.
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