$AVING YOU MONEY: Find ways to save when caring for your pets

By Cathy Spaulding
Phoenix Staff Writer

February 05, 2009 12:13 am

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Patti Page didn’t go far enough when she sang “How much is that doggie in the window?”
She also should have asked “How much is that doggie’s vaccinations or grooming to help him look good?”
Whether from a breeder, neighbor or an animal shelter, a new dog or cat comes with expenses. There also are certain breeds that could cost more than others because of particular grooming needs or health problems.
Dorothy Farmer, executive director of Protecting Animal Welfare Society, or PAWS, said cats cost less to maintain than dogs, even though they have the added expense of cat litter.
“Cats are less, unless you get multiple cats,” Farmer said. “Dogs eat more food and require more attention. Cats are pretty solitary. Cats can be independent and live indoors.”
On the other hand, dogs that go outside need a secure fence, “preferably a back yard,” Farmer said.
Larry Hamilton, veterinarian at Honor Heights Veterinary Clinic, agreed.
“Dogs are by far, more expensive than cats,” he said.
He said a full series of vaccinations for puppies would run from $80 to $150, he said. The series includes boosters for distemper, parvo and corona at 6, 8, 12 and 16 weeks for those diseases, plus rabies at 6 months.
“We also check for intestinal parasites,” he said. A full series of vaccinations for kittens would run from $80 to $120 and include vaccinations for distemper and feline leukemia, then rabies at the same intervals, he said.
Older dogs and cats would cost less to vaccinate, he said.
Spaying or neutering dogs runs about $65 to $125, while doing the same thing to cats would run $45 to $85, he said.
Neutering a male usually is a little cheaper than spaying a female, he said.
The Muskogee Animal Shelter charges $90 to adopt an adult dog an $70 to adopt an adult cat, Animal Control Supervisor Ronald Mayes said. The costs include initial vaccinations, city tags and spaying and neutering, he said.
For animals younger than four months, adoption is $25 “with the understanding the animal will be spayed or neutered,” Mayes said.
Different dog breeds also may come with added costs.
Muskogee dog owner Shelly Hickman said her 7-year-old schnauzer, Lucky, is “by far” more expensive than her 5-year-old beagle, Scout.
“We have to get the schnauzer groomed and clipped every few weeks,” she said. “It costs $25 a visit.”
With the beagle, all Hickman said she has to do is feed him and keep him up on his shots. Both dogs are in good health and eat about the same amount of food, she said.
“Certain breeds, such as English bulldogs or Shar Peis have skin problems, eye problems or allergy problems,” Hamilton said. “Any breed can have problems. Choose a breed you like, but realize that any animal can cost money.”

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