Pet vs Service Dog Costs

[talon]

http://www.news.com.au/national/pampered-pets-bite-into-the-family-budget/story-e6frfkvr-1225862330108

Itzl's not a "pampered pet", he's an indulged service dog, but Xoco qualifies as a "pampered pet".

I can do a break down of what a service dog costs compared to the expenditures on behalf of a pampered pet.

Assuming the cost of everything stays the same for the 15 years (average lifespan of a Chihuahua - could be longer, up to 20+ years, but we'll go with 15), Itzl, as a service dog, will cost $16,450 (more or less, depending upon how quickly he wears out his service dog equipment and how much I indulge him with costumes and treats and such). Xoco, as a pampered pet, will cost $14,530. Most of her expenses will be in higher vet bills, and depending on how her health holds up, she may cost more.

Because Itzl is a service dog, he gets special health insurance that covers his vaccinations and general health care so his vet bills will be less over his lifetime than a healthy pet's.

Xoco's vet bills will be higher because she's a special needs dog, brain damaged and with other congenital damage and she doesn't qualify for health insurance so all her expenses come from my pocket. In spite of her higher vet bills, I still indulge her with treats and toys.

If Xoco were a healthy dog, I might indulge her more.

I'd indulge Itzl more, too, but he's such a serious, dedicated dog. He turns his nose up at most toys and treats. He will, occasionally, condescend to chew on a rawhide or play with his special teddy bear, but that's it. He will only take treats from me, and my immediate family. He will politely sniff any treat offered to him by others, but he won't take it until it's given to me and I then give it to him.

Xoco will snatch any treat anyone gives her - gently, because she wants you to give her more treats. And she will eat pretty much anything - ripe olives, sour pickles, cauliflower, cheese, meat, dog treats, rawhides, dog biscuits, bananas, apples, strawberries, chives, parsley, violets, peanuts, pecans... If it's food, she will eat it.