Eight things that cost more the larger your dog is

If you have a large home that is open and spacious and also have plenty of outside space, you might have your heart set on owning a large or giant breed of dog, and it is certainly true that some of the biggest dogs such as the Great Dane or the Bernese Mountain dog are among the kindest and most loving canines around!

But as well as having big hearts, these giant breeds also have big appetites, and you will need not only lots of space in your home and garden, but a deep wallet as well, because covering the cost of the needs of a large or giant breed of dog for the whole of their lives can prove to be very expensive!

Whilst dog ownership for even the smallest canine is of course an expensive undertaking, there are several expenses that rise along with the size of the dog, and so this means that very large and giant breeds can be much more expensive to own than their smaller counterparts. In this article, we will look at eight of the things that cost more the larger your dog is, and why! Read on to learn more.

Food

Topping off the list is the most obvious expense that costs more for large dogs, and that is of course food! A large dog will obviously need to eat a lot more than a smaller one, and giant breeds can cost a significant amount to feed, often running to around £100 a month at the top end, depending on what you choose to feed them!

Surgical procedures

The larger the dog, the more challenging and even potentially risky surgical procedures can be for them, and the cost of the procedure will rise accordingly. Even standard procedures such as spay and neuter are apt to be more costly for large breed dogs, particularly spay surgeries, as these are a major undertaking.

If your dog needs surgery for anything else as they get older too, such as an accident or illness, the surgical fees are apt to be higher once more, to reflect everything from the amount of medications needed to sedate them, to the additional vigilance and work needed to operate on and handle a giant dog!

Flea treatment

Flea treatment is something that every dog owner should schedule into their calendar, and depending what type of product you use to keep the parasites at bay, may need administering as often as every month. The amount of the flea treatment product that is required to keep on top of things is calculated by weight, and of course, for large and giant dogs, this means that they will need the largest flea treatment offering in the range, which again, costs more!

Worming products

Much like flea treatment products for dogs, the amount of worming product that is needed to eradicate intestinal parasites is calculated by the weight of the dog, and once more, your large or giant breed will tip the scale at the top end, and so, cost more to treat for this regular essential!

Collars and coats

Even products such as collars and leads for large dogs need to be longer and sturdier, and so, take up more materials to make. This means that manufacturers charge a premium for collars and other kit to fit large and giant breeds of dog, and the same is true when it comes to warm or waterproof coats for inclement weather too!

Bedding

Getting your dog a nice soft, snuggly bed is essential, regardless of their size, but if you own a giant dog, the bed they need might be similar in size to your own! Dog beds for large and giant dogs are once again more expensive than for smaller dogs, and getting your dog a brand new, good quality bed if they need the largest size can soon prove expensive!

PetInsurance

The larger your dog, the more they will cost to insure, and depending on their breed, their insurance might also take into account certain breed-specific health problems that your dog could be predisposed to. This means that you will likely need to dedicate a considerable sum of money each month to paying your dog’s insurance premiums!

Medications

Finally, medications, like flea and worming treatments and other things, are administered in doses that are calculated according to the dog’s weight. This means that the larger the dog, the more they will need, and so, the more it will cost. In some cases, the difference may only be a few pence per pill, and often, this will not be a problem-but if your dog ends up needing medication for the rest of their life, the small difference of a few pence per pill can soon add up.