Although people gain holistic benefits from caring for animals, pet ownership brings with it some very serious bills.
In 2008, an estimated $43.2 billion (Dh158.54 billion) was spent on pets in the United States alone. This year, nationwide spending could tip the scales at more than $45 billion.
Last year's spending figure covered animal food expenses ($16.8 billion), supplies and over-the-counter medicine ($10 billion), vet care ($11.1 billion), live animal purchases ($2.1 billion) and pet grooming and boarding ($3.2 billion), according to the American Pet Products Association.
Though exact figures are not available, a significantly high amount is spent on pets in the UAE, judging by the rising number of pet purchases and veterinary appointments. At the Al Safa Veterinary Clinic in Dubai, a full-service veterinary facility providing medical and surgical care for animals, about 140 to 150 clients come through its doors every week.
"We see new people every day. Even with the recession in Dubai, there are still people who are secure with their future and willing to take on animals. We've seen people leaving Dubai, but generally, we're seeing a comfortable trend of new people taking on animals," says Dr Sara Elliott of the Al Safa Veterinary Clinic.
"We see people bringing in kittens that they've found. We also see people going to pet shops and buying animals. [The] majority of people who we see bringing pets are responsible people. In general, you tend to see more pets in a family situation," she adds.
Pet owners in the UAE say a huge part of their budget goes to vet payments and other start-up costs.
"You need about Dh1,700 when you get a new pet. That's just to get yourself set up. That's for vaccinating, microchipping, neutering and registering your pet," says Aisha Kelaif, an Emirati pet owner.
Generally, subsequent or maintenance costs can be minimal for those who own one or two pets. Accidents and illnesses, are however the biggest budget busters, with medical tabs reaching as high as Dh35,000 for one animal.
There are also extra little costs that can add up, such as accessories, toys, bedding, grooming, boarding, training and occasional special treats. You might also be surprised to hear that travelling with an animal companion can be more expensive than taking a person. Taking a dog on a flight to the United Kingdom, for instance, can be as costly as Dh4,000.
These are just out-of-pocket costs and do not include the amount of time spent training, cleaning or interacting with the animals. It's the old cliché — time is money.
"The costs can be expensive. With cats and dogs in Dubai, you've got to get them vaccinated every year. You have to get them registered in microchip so that they're legal with the municipality. So, all of those costs add up. Then you've got further costs if, for instance, your animal gets run over by a car or [falls ill]," says Elliott.
Lower maintenance
"Initial cost is high since you need to do all the vaccinations, microchipping, de-worming, etc. The maintenance is lower [although you have to] repeat these vaccinations and de-worming," adds Sevil Ermin, an expatriate from Turkey who owns a cat.
Each year, Ermin spends about Dh5,000 on cat food, Dh2,000 to Dh3,000 on vet bills and about Dh200 on other medications.
Although Faizan Jamal from Pakistan has two kittens, a Persian male and a Himalayan female, his pet care bills are not twice as costly. "The average monthly cost of food, vet, medications, treats and toys range between Dh400 to Dh600 a month," Jamal says.
Heidy Edwards, an expat from India who has two dogs, seven birds and five fish tanks full of fish, is spending about Dh8,000 a year on vet bills, medicine, food, toys and treats.
"Raising an animal is not so costly, but there's a high probability that it may get expensive. In [a time span of] two-and-a-half years ... [one of my cats] got sick very frequently in Dubai. I also wanted her to have ‘kids'. Though the cost of giving birth is zero for cats since they take care of themselves, the cost of vaccination and other vet visits is very costly," says another pet owner, Asli Kokcu from Turkey.
Kokcu, who owns two cats, spends about Dh1,000 a year on food, Dh2,000 on vet bills, Dh100 on toys.
For those who have many pets to take care of, accommodation can be a bit pricey.
Ursula Manvatkar from India had to convert two balconies in her house to provide a proper habitat for her six dogs and six cats.
The reconstruction alone set her back Dh15,000.
Then there are lifestyle changes to deal with.
"If you have pets at home, you can't just travel anytime you want to.
"Or if you have a family, you may have to travel separately so that someone stays behind to look after the pets," Manvatkar says.
Basic Costs
Sure, animals make for good companions. But before you rush to a pet store and pick that cute furry creature in the cage, make sure you know the basic costs of owning an animal.
The figures below are just estimates and are based on the information provided by Pet Care Trading only. Estimates cover the initial and subsequent costs of owning certain breeds of dog, cat and fish. Costs can vary, depending on the breed, source, type of food and grooming routine, among others.
The other items you need to take into account for certain animals (vaccination, microchipping, registration, etc) are not included here. Some pet owners, however, say you might need to spend about Dh1,700 for these if you get a new dog.
Dogs
Preliminary cost: If you feel like importing a dog into the UAE, say a Cocker Spaniel (pedigree) from Hungary, you need to spend about Dh8,000. This will include all the paperwork required. To get you started, you will need certain accessories and basic supplies such as a collar, Dh50; identification tag, Dh30; lead (Flexi brand), Dh175; and shampoo, Dh45. If you think a toy would make your new dog happy, you can buy something that costs about Dh50.
Maintenance: Feeding your animal with good-quality, commercially prepared food, can cost you around Dh300 per month. Grooming services, which you can use every two months, can be around Dh200. If you opt for flea treatments, that can cost Dh145.
Cats
Preliminary cost: Bringing home a pedigree kitten, either Himalayan or Persian, can cost you Dh5,000. If you want to buy some accessories or toys for your cat, you can get scratching posts for Dh180 or a scratching tree for Dh900.
Maintenance: According to Pet Care Trading, cats are a bit cheaper to maintain. You need to spend only Dh84 on food per month. For grooming, giving your pet a "lion cut" can cost you Dh250 and a regular shave, Dh200. There is an extra charge if you need your cat sedated.
Fish
Preliminary cost: Some fishes are very easy on the wallet. Buying a goldfish, for instance can cost between D5 and Dh10 a piece. To get you started, you will need a glass bowl, Dh50; fish food, Dh30; gravel and decoration, Dh50. If you want to get a big aquarium, you can buy a Chinese-made tank (about 2 metres wide) for Dh1,800 and some accessories for Dh200.
Maintenance: Aside from food, regular maintenance will include water treatment chemicals, medication, filters and cleaning supplies. If you don't want to bother yourself with all of these, you can tap the services of a company to do the job which can cost you about Dh400 per month.
