Subscribe

Would you like to subscribe to our newsletters?

Owning a dog in Canada takes a big bite out of your wallet

File photo
File photo
Image Credit: Shutterstock

New data confirms that owning a dog in Canada is expensive.

The annual cost of owning a dog ranges from $3,530 to $4,410, according to a report from HelloSafe.ca, an insurance comparison website.

The upfront cost varies significantly whether a dog is purchased from a breeder or adopted from a shelter, as the estimated cost ranges from $200 to $4,000. Other upfront costs include spaying or neutering, training and a bed and crate.

READ MORE: Dogs ordered returned to B.C. man who abandoned them for 9 days

Once the upfront costs have been covered, owners can expect to pay another $510 to $3,360 in annual expenses, mostly in food. Other annual costs include tick prevention, toys, oral care, vet visits and poop bags.

An average of  $712 to $1,437 gets spent every year in “additional” costs, such as grooming, dog walking or doggy daycare. Grooming costs $50 to $200 annually, walks cost $15 to $20 each, and daycare averages $32 to $100 per session.

Image Credit: SUBMITTED

To contact a reporter for this story, email Dan Walton or call 250-488-3065 or email the editor. You can also submit photos, videos or news tips to the newsroom and be entered to win a monthly prize draw.

We welcome your comments and opinions on our stories but play nice. We won't censor or delete comments unless they contain off-topic statements or links, unnecessary vulgarity, false facts, spam or obviously fake profiles. If you have any concerns about what you see in comments, email the editor in the link above.