I stumbled across a new virtual pet called Foo Pets. Go check it out. I set up a cute little Rottweiler girl pup and named her Peppa. You have to feed, play with, water and take care of your virtual pet or it will be sent to the shelter to be looked after.
I looked around for some information about what it costs to own a dog per year. I know what it costs me since I keep track. The first year I had my youngest dog it cost me 15,000.00 for all three of my mid sized dogs (70 – 75 lbs). Now I had some expenses incurred that are part and parcel in having a pup. My other two dogs were senior dogs therefore there were some extra vet bills tacked on, but overall it isn't really that out of line.
According to one source I found:
| Product/Service | Cost 1st Year | Yearly Cost | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Low Cost |
My Cost |
High Cost |
Low Cost |
My Cost |
High Cost |
|
|
Purchase Price |
0 |
50 |
1000 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Food |
125 |
300 |
500 |
125 |
300 |
500 |
|
Vaccines |
20 |
75 |
150 |
10 |
60 |
100 |
|
Vet Bills |
40 |
75 |
400 |
40 |
125 |
400 |
|
Spay/Neuter |
35 |
120 |
200 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Bed |
25 |
70 |
150 |
0 |
7 |
15 |
|
Treats |
20 |
20 |
100 |
0 |
20 |
75 |
|
Chew Bones |
20 |
90 |
150 |
0 |
20 |
50 |
|
Bowls |
5 |
8 |
25 |
0 |
1 |
3 |
|
Collars |
8 |
5 |
20 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
|
Leash |
5 |
7 |
20 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
|
Training |
15 |
40 |
450 |
0 |
10 |
100 |
|
Fence |
0 |
750 |
1500 |
0 |
0 |
75 |
|
Vitamins |
15 |
20 |
75 |
2 |
15 |
8 |
|
Flea Control |
20 |
20 |
200 |
20 |
20 |
200 |
|
Heartworm |
50 |
52 |
100 |
50 |
52 |
100 |
|
Shampoo |
6 |
6 |
25 |
6 |
6 |
25 |
|
Grooming |
0 |
0 |
400 |
0 |
0 |
400 |
|
Grooming Tools |
8 |
8 |
250 |
1 |
0 |
25 |
|
Dental Care |
0 |
0 |
40 |
0 |
0 |
40 |
|
Stain Cleaner |
8 |
30 |
75 |
5 |
5 |
75 |
|
Waste Disposal |
0 |
0 |
50 |
0 |
0 |
5 |
|
Training Aids |
25 |
25 |
300 |
3 |
3 |
30 |
|
Deworming |
6 |
6 |
30 |
6 |
6 |
30 |
|
Boarding |
15 |
150 |
200 |
15 |
150 |
200 |
|
Crate |
40 |
50 |
150 |
4 |
5 |
15 |
|
Car Restraint |
0 |
0 |
100 |
0 |
0 |
10 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Totals |
$511.00 |
$1977.00 |
$6600.00 |
$287.00 |
$807.00 |
$2485.00 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Total over the life of a 14 year old dog |
|
|
|
Low Cost | My Cost | High Cost |
|
|
|
|
|
$4,242.00 |
$12,468.00 |
$38,905.00 |
The costs estimated by the author are based on a 50 pound dog living in the midwest US.
Maybe the thoughts of a “virtual” pet are more reasonable for some. Think about the downturn in the economy, all you need for your virtual pet is the cost of your internet. Hell no! What was I thinking.. I wouldn't give up my little snuggle bug for anything. I would eat KD as a steady diet to give my dog what he needs. It is still sort of fun to have a virtual pet too.. I'll see how long I can keep Peppa alive.
Check it out, just for fun…