Thinking about adopting a dog? This is how much a furry friend costs per year in WA state

Washington is the fourth most expensive state to own a dog in, according to a recent study by Pettable, an emotional support animal website that connects individuals with mental health professionals who are able to prescribe emotional support animal letters.

The study evaluated the costs of pet insurance, dog food, veterinarian services, vaccinations, and neutering or spaying.

Washington dog owners spend about $2,200 a year, including an average of $961 on food, $523 on pet insurance, $67 on vet visits and $647 on vaccines and neutering.

The most expensive state to own a dog was Delaware which totaled about $2,864 of costs per year. Idaho is the least expensive state, only costing about $1,232 a year.

Pettable - Cost of Owning a Dog
Infogram

Costs also vary by types of vaccinations, dog food, veterinarian services and more.

As pet expenses can quickly add up, here are a few tips to owning a dog on a budget from MoneyGeek, a personal finance website:

▪ Compare adoption costs between local shelters, rescue organizations or private breeders.

▪ Pet-proof your home to avoid needing to replace valuables. Dogs can easily chew your shoes, cords, remotes and other expensive items in your home and cost you more to replace them.

▪ Groom your dog and brush your dog’s teeth regularly.

▪ Take your dog to the vet regularly to avoid more serious health problems and costs.

▪ Get your dog spayed or neutered, not only to avoid the cost of more puppies but to keep your dog safe from other health problems.

▪ Protect your pets from fleas and ticks.

▪ Be active with your dog by playing and walking them regularly as they need exercise.

▪ Care for your pet while you are away. Not all animals are good travelers, so finding a kennel that is safe for your dog can be essential.

▪ Feed your dog high-quality, healthy food, and make sure not to overfeed your dog.

▪ Do not smoke in the house with your dog, as animals who live with smokers are more likely to get cancer, according to a study by the University of Glasgow.

The American Veterinary Medical Association also emphasizes the importance of taking care of your pet to avoid more costly health issues in the future.

“The cost of preventive care usually pales in comparison to the cost of treating the disease or problem that would have been prevented. Regular exams can also detect problems early, before they become more serious…and probably more expensive to treat,” the association’s website states.

The association recommends saving money by providing preventative care to your pet, comparing medication prices between stores, and taking your pet to the vet at the first sign of a problem even if it is not hurting your pet at the time.