HUSKY ZOOM
This is actually my response to a question asked on reddit: What is the cost of a Husky?
This was my response:
If you're adopting, you save a lot on the cost of the actual dog, and since shelters spay/neuter, that saves too! Make sure the dog is microchipped or get him/her one ASAP. The cost of a pup can run you $750-1500+, depending on the breeder. Spaying and neutering will cost a few hundred dollars. Spaying could be $300+. If you are neutering, I would go to a Humane Society/ASPCA Van since the surgery is pretty non-invasive and you can save a lot of money. Neutering is around $100 and you can get your dog microchipped and a rabies vaccine there as well. (Cesar Milan actually neutered his dog this way).
Food:
Costs about $50-60 a month for a 28 lb. bag, depending on the brand and quality. My husky eats 2 large scoops per day, one cup AM one cup PM. She eats Natural Balance (LID Fish and Sweet Potato flavor) which is of decent quality and grain free. She used to have a really sensitive stomach and I had to experiment with different food brands until I found NB. Ask your vet about what food they recommend. Some people swear by the expensive fancy stuff, but my vet told me that NB was a fine choice.
Vet Bills:
I live in NYC so vets are expensive, $60-80 just to walk in there. Regardless of initial vet exam cost, you have to be financially prepared for incidentals/accidents. Mine got giardia (she was vaccinated against it so go figure..) which cost me a fortune for the meds/treatment/testing. A friend of mine's dog swallowed a small ball and the surgery cost her over 1K. Some people get pet health insurance, but instead I just set aside however much $ I can afford each month in a "vet incidental" fund. Even if it's just a couple of bucks a month, it's smart to set up a rainy day fund.
Since my dog is young, my health "maintenance" costs are really low (no meds, etc), but as dogs get older their vet bills get higher. It might make sense to get health insurance later in my dog's life, but for now I've opted not to.
Vaccinations:
I found out about LuvMyPet low cost vaccinations through PetSmart. Yearly vaccine boosters and heartworm testing cost me $74, which is significantly cheaper than what you'd pay at a vet. A real vet and a vet tech did everything, and did a mini physical on my dog as well.
Flea/Heartworm Prevention:
Frontline is $78 and Heartguard is $52 for a 6 month supply each. That comes to $22ish a month.
Crate/Treats/Toys/Bowls/Leashes/Poo Bags/Misc.:
I would stay it'll take around $100-150 for all of your "startup" items, but after that treats and stuff run me about $15 a month. I actually signed up for BarkBox, which is around $15 a month. They send you a "mystery box" every month with 5-6 items, usually grain free healthy treats and toys. Super fun and I always have a surplus of treats. If that sounds like something you'd want to do, wait a little until you know what your husky can/can't digest.
I opt to buy "indestructible" toys- nothing with fluff inside!
Huskies love to chew and get bored easily. It's really handy to have a couple of bully sticks lying around for times like when mine starts getting antsy and I don't have time to take her for a full on RUN. I give her a rawhide or a bully stick in the meantime and she sometimes spends a whole afternoon trying to "bury" it different pieces of furniture. Get yourself a Kong toy and stuff it with peanut butter and treats to keep him/her busy. Rope toys and ChuckIt! are awesome too. I haven't needed to buy a new one in months. Don't go crazy buying toys in the beginning, just like 3 to get an idea of what your dog likes. I have about 10 toys which I "rotate"- I only give her 3-4 at a time and switch them out periodically so that she doesn't get bored of them.
Get a Furminator brush to rake out the undercoat when your dog seasonally sheds (I do all grooming myself, so I don't have grooming costs).
BUY ALL OF THIS STUFF ON AMAZON, especially if you have Prime- I NEVER go to PetSmart or any pet store. Their stuff is WAY marked up. Get the poop bags and the crate on Amazon. I got a pack of like a million bags for $15, I swear it's lasted me 4 months already and it's only halfway done.
Backyard:
I don't have a backyard (could you imagine? a husky and no backyard?), the dog park serves as my backyard and I go every single day to fulfill my dog's exercise needs. Some huskies love to dig. In another year or so when I move, I plan on burying concrete cinder blocks along the edges of my fence in addition to a second above-ground layer. If you DIY I can't imagine it'll cost a crazy amount of money. But who knows? You might not have a digger, so in the beginning I would just supervise him/her in the yard and see what happens.
Optional: obedience classes. I am a huge proponent of attending an 8 week course or similar, no matter how well behaved or trained the dog already is. You develop good communication with your dog and learning basic commands is essential, especially because huskies can be really stubborn.
If you're adopting, you save a lot on the cost of the actual dog, and since shelters spay/neuter, that saves too! Make sure the dog is microchipped or get him/her one ASAP.
Dog Walker/Daycare/Boarding/Traveling- ohhhh don't even get me started on this one. Bottom line, if you want to take a vacation, account for this cost as part of your vacation fund. I also send mine to day care every so often when I know am going to be away from home for way too many hours.
Owning a dog can be expensive, but it is SO rewarding and really enhances my life on a daily/hourly basis! My husband and I just got married, we're students, we each work part time, and yet there is always money for our beloved Meeko. She's such an integral part of our lives and makes us so incredibly happy, so the benefits outweigh the costs tenfold.