WASHINGTON – Not all pets are created equal. Or, if they are, they sure don’t cost the same.
Yahoo! Shine reports it’s important to think about the cost of a pet before taking the plunge. While some types of dogs or cats cost a lot upfront, others cost even more long term.
Embrace Pet Insurance CEO Laura Bennett tells Yahoo! that when it comes to both dogs and cats, female mixed breeds who have been spayed are the least expensive, hands down.
But even specialty mixed breeds like a golden doodle or a puggle can cost a pretty penny – more money upfront and more in insurance costs, says Bennett.
It’s also a good idea to consider how much it will cost to groom. Small, short- haired dogs will fall in the cheap end while something like a poodle will cost a lot.
But remember, the less grooming, the more shedding.
Small dogs will also cut down on boarding costs, as friends may be more likely to watch them. And cheaper food costs probably go without saying.
With cats, a purebred will always cost more and they may also have higher vet costs as they are more likely to have certain illnesses. A Himalayan cat, for example, may have breathing problems.
All in all, adopting a mixed breed cat is cheaper, maybe even free, and costs very little to insure.
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WTOP’s David Burd contributed to this report.Follow @DavidBurdWTOP and @WTOP on Twitter.
