• Science
  • Puppies
  • Recipes
    • Cheap and Budget Friendly Recipes
    • Health Related Illness Diets
    • Homemade Treat Recipes
    • Homemade Dog Treats for Health Issues
    • Seasonal Recipes
  • Health
    • Can Dogs Eat…
    • Dog Diseases & Conditions
    • Dog Symptoms
    • Dog Grooming
    • Dog Care
    • Caring For Seniors
    • Dog Loss & Grieving
    • Dog Reproductive Health
    • Treatments and Home Remedies
  • Food
    • Dry Dog Food
    • Wet Dog Food
    • Recalls
  • Supplies
    • Best Dog Products
    • Reviews
    • Dog Accessories
    • Dog Toys
    • Dog Health Products
    • CBD for Dogs
  • Breeds
    • Toy Dog Breeds
    • Working Dog Breeds
    • Terrier Dog Breeds
    • Sporting Dog Breeds
    • Non-Sporting Dog Breeds
    • Mixed Breeds
    • Hound Dog Breeds
    • Livestock and Herding Dog Breeds
  • Training
  • Rescues
  • Courses
  • Shop
Search
  • About Us
  • Our Team
  • Subscribe
  • Contact Us
Top Dog Tips - Dog Food Recipes, Care Tips & Best Dog Supplies Reviews Top Dog Tips
Top Dog Tips - Dog Food Recipes, Care Tips & Best Dog Supplies Reviews Top Dog Tips - Dog Food Recipes, Care Tips & Best Dog Supplies Reviews
  • Science
  • Puppies
  • Recipes
    • Cheap and Budget Friendly Recipes
    • Health Related Illness Diets
    • Homemade Treat Recipes
    • Homemade Dog Treats for Health Issues
    • Seasonal Recipes
  • Health
    • Can Dogs Eat…
    • Dog Diseases & Conditions
    • Dog Symptoms
    • Dog Grooming
    • Dog Care
    • Caring For Seniors
    • Dog Loss & Grieving
    • Dog Reproductive Health
    • Treatments and Home Remedies
  • Food
    • Dry Dog Food
    • Wet Dog Food
    • Recalls
  • Supplies
    • Best Dog Products
    • Reviews
    • Dog Accessories
    • Dog Toys
    • Dog Health Products
    • CBD for Dogs
  • Breeds
    • Toy Dog Breeds
    • Working Dog Breeds
    • Terrier Dog Breeds
    • Sporting Dog Breeds
    • Non-Sporting Dog Breeds
    • Mixed Breeds
    • Hound Dog Breeds
    • Livestock and Herding Dog Breeds
  • Training
  • Rescues
  • Courses
  • Shop
Home Dog Care How Dog Owners Should Prepare for Financial Emergencies

How Dog Owners Should Prepare for Financial Emergencies

By
Shelly Graves
-
Last Updated: Apr 14, 2019

How Dog Owners Should Prepare for Financial Emergencies - The Guide

Amidst the excitement and happiness of bringing a new member into your family, it's easy to forget that our dogs also come with a new set of bills. From vet appointment checkups every six months to a monthly heartworm pill, things really start to add up. One thing owners often neglect to prepare for though is the possibility of a financial emergency related to the dog.

This is important not only for health related costs like unexpected disease or injuries, but also in case of a disaster – fire, flood or anything else. If you don’t have a financial plan in place for your dog’s care, now’s the time to start! Here are some steps you can take so that you're not caught off-guard and don't need to consider giving up your pooch simply because you can't afford to care for them.

ALSO READ: 5 Emergency Vet Care Financing Options

Get Pet Insurance

There are several things to consider before you pick a specific company and their plan. Like any insurance, it really depends on the condition of your dog, where you live, who your vet is, and a number of other factors to determine what your monthly cost and deductible will be. Most pet insurance companies offer service for a monthly fee from $10-$100, with the average being about $25-$30.

You might think that it's not necessary because you are paying dental, vision, health, car, and property insurance after all. Why bring one more bill into the mix? But if you have an 80 pounds Labrador who needs to go under anesthetic for any reason, the anesthesia alone costs $75 per session; this doesn’t include the cost of the visit, any wounds treated, or medication prescribed to your pet.

In a financial emergency, you can be sure your pet is covered no matter what.

Don’t Skip Annual Checkups

Don’t Skip Annual CheckupsIt really doesn’t matter what the concern is; medical professionals all agree that prevention is the best way to keep your dog consistently healthy.

Canines are pretty durable creatures – even when they aren’t feeling their best, they sometimes tough it out and act like nothing’s wrong. However, once a dog reaches the age of 9 or 10, they are 50% more likely to develop diseases such as cancer.

Annual checkups ensure that if there is a problem like cancer, the cost and treatment is far less invasive. If you wait until the symptoms become a visible tumor though, you’ll have a full blown surgery bill on your hands.

Make Sure You Can Afford a Dog

For those who already have a pet and are struggling to make ends meet, don’t feel bad. You’re not alone, and while most of us have good intentions it is very easy to forget how much simple things like food cost. Those of us who have ever had to spend a few weeks on a Ramen noodle diet can relate to this sentiment.

Dog food alone adds up, and the cheaper kinds generally aren’t recommended because you truly get what you pay for. Dog bones and teething items aren’t just a luxury, but a necessity for adults and puppies alike. Your pet needs something to grind the tartar off his teeth and keep his jaw muscles strong.

If you have the means, stock up on 2 or 3 bags of kibble at a time and keep a few cans of wet food on hand to stretch it out a little longer. You know that the bigger the breed, the more they eat! So if you’re on a budget and you wanted to get a Great Dane, or a puppy, maybe think about getting a smaller dog instead.

Create a Separate Savings Account

Create a Separate Savings AccountEven if you’re strapped for cash right now, it's still good to create a pet savings account and put aside $2 here and there. Keep it in a piggy bank if you want, just don’t spend it!

The thing is, dogs are a lot like children; you do the best you can with them, but at the end of the day they’re going to get hurt. They’re going to get sick, that’s just part of life.

If you can’t get insurance or an annual checkup, you at least need to set money aside for the big things. If your dog gets parvo and treatment is $500, at least you’ll have $200 to $300 put away in addition to whatever money you have in the moment. This at least handles the exam, antibiotics, water pouches (water inserted under the skin), and possible in-patient car along with IV fluids.

Name a Legal Guardian

Maybe they aren’t actual children, but for a lot us, our dogs play the role of our kids. We love them, cherish them, and we want to know that if anything ever happens to us, someone will step up and keep them safe. Don’t just hope for it, take action now to ensure that just like a child, your dog will have a legal guardian to take your place if it ever becomes necessary.

Sadly, many owners pass on without family or anyone who is willing to carry on the responsibility of owning a pet. Make plans for your dog, and find someone now who will make the promise to give your furbaby food, shelter, and plenty of love.

Know Which Shelters Allow Pets

Know Which Shelters Allow PetsFinancial emergencies don’t just stop at physical injuries or being short on grocery money. It's crucial for pet owners to know about disaster preparedness, and how to handle such situations when you have pets around. Should your home become flooded, catch fire, or suffer some other type of serious natural disaster, hopefully you’ll have reliable family and friends that will welcome your dogs the same as they would for you.

However, not everyone is lucky enough to have strong, reliable ties to other people, and often end up at a loss for what to do when they become homeless with pets. There are hundreds of homeless and battered women shelters available for those who have fallen on hard times, but many of them force pet owners to leave their dogs outside.

Public libraries and food kitchens can provide you with resources and locations that will allow both you and your dog to stay for a limited time.

Hard times happen, and it's not always our fault! If you don’t prepare though, it's safe to say that you’re asking for trouble. Do whatever is possible in the now to ensure that you’re able to care for your dog when the time comes!

READ NEXT: How to Afford an Expensive Pet Surgery

 

Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest
    Shelly Graves
    Shelly lives in Iowa with her husband and Australian Shepherd named Tex. She's been an animal lover since she was a child. Currently, she enjoys reading and writing about dogs, and spending time with her family and getting involved in all things pets.

    25 Vet Recommended Dog Food Recipes

    Free 25 Homemade Dog Food Recipes eBook

    LATEST FEATURES

    Flying With A Dog - Short Dog Travel Guide for Pet Parents 2

    Pet Travel in 2025: Is It Still Worth the Cost?

    Jossana Zosimo - Jun 20, 2025
    Did you know that over 2 million pets fly on U.S. airlines yearly? While flying with your dog may have been a smooth, affordable experience...
    shedding in dogs

    Do Dogs Shed More in the Summer?

    Mitchell Tobias - Jun 16, 2025
    Do you notice your dog sheds more in the summer? You might see more loose fur flying around the house, clinging to your couch or...
    Dog in a Hot Car Featured Image

    Leaving A Dog Inside A Hot Car? Don’t Do It!

    Cody Griffin - Jun 12, 2025
    Leaving a dog inside a hot car is never a good idea, even if it’s just for a few minutes, especially in summer. Minutes under...
    How to tell if a dog has an ear infection featured image

    How to Tell if a Dog Has an Ear Infection

    Jossana Zosimo - Jun 12, 2025
    Knowing how to tell if a dog has an ear infection early on is important to prevent any long-term damage to your dog's ears. Early...
    Prednisone for Dogs with Cancer Featured Image

    Prednisone for Dogs with Cancer: What You Need to Know

    Jossana Zosimo - Jun 12, 2025
    Did you know that prednisone, an inexpensive steroid, is one of the most commonly prescribed drugs to help dogs with cancer live more comfortably? This...
    Best Dog Summer Clothes Featured Image

    5 Best Dog Summer Clothes + Buying Guide in 2025

    Dom Naish - Jun 9, 2025
    Dog summer clothes are the quickest and easiest way to protect your pet from high temperatures, the sun's UV rays, and hot pavement during...
    huskies in summer

    Huskies in Summer: Can They Keep Up with the Heat?

    Jossana Zosimo - Jun 4, 2025
    Seeing Siberian Huskies in summer may look counterintuitive. I mean, they're Huskies! Aren't they supposed to be up in the north, happily rolling around...
    Top World's Deadliest Dog Breeds

    Top 15 World’s Deadliest Dogs That Need Experienced Handlers

    Patrick Lumontod - Jun 2, 2025
    With dog bites occurring about 4.5 million times yearly in the US alone, it pays to be cautious. In fact, most recent studies found dogs...
    Large Dogs in Crates for Air Travel

    Large Dogs in Aircraft Cabin? Italy Says Yes!

    Jossana Zosimo - May 27, 2025
    ITALY—Travelling with large dogs becomes easier and more convenient for pet owners! The Italian Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport and Ente Nazionale per l'Aviazione Civile...
    Can You Vaccinate Your Dog At Home Featured Image

    Can You Vaccinate Your Dog At Home?

    Jossana Zosimo - May 27, 2025
    With the rising cost of pet healthcare, it's understandable that you'll ask and wonder if you can vaccinate your dog at home. The short answer...
    Top Dog Tips - Dog Food Recipes, Care Tips & Best Dog Supplies Reviews
    Your Ally in Dog Ownership

    Top Dog Tips is here to provide dog owners with the most accurate and in-depth tips and advice on dog care, health, nutrition and training from the industry experts – veterinarians, dog trainers, groomers and animal scientists. We help dog owners effortlessly choose the best dog supplies on the market. We buy, test, review and rank pet products to help you avoid the bad stuff and purchase only what's best for you and your dog.
    Contact us: stuff@topdogtips.com
    • About
    • Team
    • Subscribe
    • Terms of Use
    • Disclosure
    • Privacy Policy
    • DMCA
    • No AI Clause
    © 2023 TopDogTips.com. All rights reserved.