Animals are Expensive to Own When you are Starting Your Independence - (W7:D3) Debt Free Millionaire

Simplified Explanation: Animals are not always the easiest thing to handle. Sometimes, they are messy, need a lot of attention, and cost a lot of money to care for. They also, bring a lot of love, interest, and are great companions to have around. So, as with being intentional in life, if you are considering having of having a pet, there are some things to consider and some things to understand. Also consider that no pet is easy to take care of if you aren’t taking care of yourself first. Never should a pet put an unbearable burden on you because if you aren’t taking care of yourself, you are definitely not taking care of the animal as you should be.

Real Life: Does it seem strange that I am mentioning animals or pets in a financial book or game? The reason is because animals cost money, some more than others. If you are open to having pets than there are some expenses to think about. Each animal is different, some with more positive things than others. So, consider these things when considering getting an animal. Not just for the money you will spend, but time and emotion as well:

Dogs are more than an animal, they are a bodyguard, comforter, and a companion to some.

1. Food – Like humans, dogs need to eat. Normally, you will feed them a good size meal in the morning, small lunch, and large dinner. You do not want to put all the food out at one time, because they will eat it all immediately. You must space it over time. An automatic feeder is great for a dog. Either way, dogs eat a lot of food, and you may need to have extra.
2. Accessories – You need toys, beds, doggy treats, and more. This does not need to be expensive.
3. Medical Needs – Dogs need to be spayed or neutered when they are young to keep from having unplanned puppies to feed and distribute. They also need check-ups at least once a year. 
4. Shelter – Daily shelter is easy; all you need is a kennel. If you go on a trip, you need to ask someone to walk and feed your dog or pay an establishment to “board” them while you are away.
5. Walks – Dogs, like humans, must use the bathroom, yet theirs is normally outdoors. They have a certain amount of time before they will make a mess on your floor, if you leave them inside. If you work, think of making a walk outside or pay someone.
6. Grooming – You don’t need to pay someone, but you do need to spend the time washing and brushing them, and cutting their nails. This can be time consuming or expensive over time.
7. Time: If time is money, then you will be spending a good amount of it with your dog. They become part of the family and should be treated as such. They are not a trophy or even a guard dog is not just a bodyguard. Dogs are the more expensive pet.

Cats are more than an animal, they are a comforter, companion, and kill off rodents, in and around the home.

1. Food – Like humans, cats need to eat. Normally you will put all their food out at once and they will eat it gradually. An indoor cat eats a lot of food, outdoor cats eat about a quarter, while an indoor/outdoor cat eats about half the amount.
2. Accessories – You don’t need toys, beds, treats, or other things though these are nice to have.
3. Medical Needs – Cats need to be spayed or neutered when they are young to keep from having unplanned puppies to feed and distribute. They also need check-ups at least once a year. 
4. Shelter – Cats again take care of themselves so if you leave them, just make sure they have enough food and watch while you are away. 
5. Walking – Cats don’t normally go on walks with you, except mine, she is a little strange and will take a walk every morning and evening while I walk my dog. People stare at us. Man, dog, and cat, all walking down the street together. It’s quite the site, but not normal.
6. Grooming – You don’t need to pay someone, but you do need to spend the time washing and brushing and cutting their nails if they are indoors at all, otherwise they will take care of it.
7. Time: If time is money, then you will be spending a small amount of it with your cat. They normally stick to themselves until they want attention. They are part of the family and should be treated as such. When time is money, and expenses is money, cats are less expensive than dogs, but still expensive.

Chickens – Chickens are great for eggs, especially if you like cage-free eggs. They are also good at getting rid of bugs around your house, which always means less bugs inside your house.

1. Food – Like humans, chickens need to eat. Normally you will put all their food out at once and they will eat it gradually. If you let them out into the yard, they will eat all your pests and grubs. Food can be expensive but that is when you subsidize it with kitchen scraps. 
2. Accessories – You will only need a feeder, water container, light for winters, and shelter. They take care of their own entertainment and everything else.
3. Medical Needs – In a normal lifespan, you will not need a check-up for the chicken.
4. Shelter – Chickens need a chicken coup when you first buy them so expenses are very low.
5. Walking – You don’t walk a chicken but you could spend time with them.
6. Grooming – You don’t groom a chicken, they take care of that.
7. Time: You don’t spend time with them except feeding, collecting eggs, and cleaning their coup. If time is money and expenses is money, then chickens take care of themselves and you only need to pay for food and give them enough time to take care of them.
   

Reptiles/Fish – These are more for something to look at instead of spending time with or holding. They don’t like being held, but if you need it, reptiles are great to spend time. Here are the normal responsibilities of having one.

1. Food – Like humans, they need to eat. Normally you will give them enough in the morning and or every other day. Fish and reptiles don’t eat much so they are not too expensive. 
2. Accessories – You need a fish tank or terrarium, bubbler (fish), accessories inside the tank and chemicals to clean the water (fish), beyond that, these are more like upfront costs.
3. Medical Needs – Fish and reptiles, unless very expensive, don’t normally get medical attention.
4. Shelter – Your tank is enough, though they do need lighting to stay healthy.
5. Walking – You do not walk them. They do not even want time with you. They are to observe.
6. Grooming – You do not groom a fish or reptile, though you should clean their tanks routinely.
7. Time: No quality time needed, except feeding, cleaning, or holding them occasionally.

There are many more types of animals you can have as pets: horses, bees, rabbits, hamsters, spiders, frogs, etc, and they all take time and money to take care of them. Don’t go into this blindly but investigate how much each will cost and make sure you can provide for them.

When every expense is important, think about limiting the number of animals you have until the time when you are financially secure and have the time to take care of them. Again, all of them become part of the family and should be treated as such.