Report: Annual dog care costs on the rise

They are part of the family, but they’re certainly not cheap.

A Daily Finance report says owning a dog can cost $2,000 per year on average.

Dog owners spend most of that money on food and vet bills, but there are many other expenses to deal with.

“If you want to have a dog, you definitely need to know there’s more money than you expect involved,” dog owner John Orsborn said. “If it’s an injury, or they get sick, it’s good to have some money available.”

Dogs aren’t just something to take care of, they’re also a financial responsibility.

“You need to understand there is going to be health care associated with these pets. Think about the cost of vet visits, the cost of grooming, and the cost of food,” said Noelle Rathmell, a veterinarian at Animal Hospital of Colorado Springs.

Rathmell said planning ahead can pay off in the long run.

“What really trips people up is unexpected costs, like injuries or illnesses.People can purchase pet health insurance to help them out with some of those costs,” she said.

Despite the hefty price tag, some owners say they have no regrets.

“A couple bags of dog food every month and a little bit of savings in case they get hurt isn’t hard to manage,” dog owner Joanna Stark said.”They kind of cost what they cost.”