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Sign up with Google Sign up with FacebookQ: How much does it cost to keep a dog or cat in China?
for years now, I have had a couple of cats back home, and I'm really missing the company. I've been thinking about buying a dog or a cat, but I'm worried about how much it will end up costing. To any pet owners out there, how much do you spend per month/year on your pets (vet bills, food, toys included)? Is it worth keeping a pet in China or is it more trouble than its worth?
I was surprised at the small size of cats I saw in Asia and never saw any fluffy. I like a big long haired cat. I couldn't bring any of my pets, but my GF had a Collie just like I do. I bought dry food for the dog, don't remember what it cost ,maybe 100Y for a bag that would last 3 months.
Her dog didn't like the dry. I told her to mix it and eventually just reduce what ever she mixed until it was just dry. Of course being Chinese she didn't listen to me, stupid foreigner. She fed the dog mostly rice, maybe some chicken bones which is the worst thing you can feed a dog. Wouldn't listen to me about no bones. If I offered her left over meat for the dog, she would refuse, I assume because it was too good for the dog.
Cat food would cost about the same. I would use cat litter which I never saw. Never let my cat out, it may end up as just a fur or a meal . I don't know how the Chinese find any thing, no yellow pages, but my GF always knew where I can get whatever.
I talked to my Vet and she knew the Vets in China weren't good. I doubt they are expensive. You would need to vaccinate your pet as rabies is a problem in China. Vaccinations at home also include other things, cats and dogs get respiratory conditions. Every cat I saw in China had a dirty nose, thats a respiratory problem. I'm unsure about China vaccinations, so you'd have to ask.
It can be dirt cheap. The most expensive thing is getting it neutered or spayed. I feed my cat half cat food and half leftovers from restaurants that we don't want.
The main cost of a dog here in China is the food you buy. Since China cannot even control the quality of baby food, I do not trust Chinese made dog food. I buy imported dog food because I want to keep my pets healthy. The various imported foods can cost between 400-700 yuan for a 15-20kg bag. If you want more information send me a message.
Well, if you buy a puppy, be ready to clean up pee and poop for a while, until it's house trained.
My roommate bought a puppy a few weeks ago, but hasn't brought him to see the vet yet (he's a trooper though, had some serious diarrhea but recovered). One vaccination should cost around RMB 50 (might be more depending on who the manufacturer is).
Barring a serious injury or illness, other than vaccinations and spaying/neutering your pet, your monthly vet fees should be zero.
As for dog food, we first started with a local Chinese made brand ( RMB 15 for a 1 kg bag) but switched over to Pedigree (RMB 46 for a 1.3 kg bag).
But it seems the bigger he's getting the less he's liking the dry food. Occasionally we give him rice porridge with some meat, which he likes more or cook some rice and mix it with some canned dog food. Okay, more like a packet of dog food since we can't find any canned dog food ( RMB 4.5 for one packet, one day 3 meals).
Toys: buy as many chew toys for your dog as possible. My roommate's puppy has already chewed slippers, bed sheets and our desks.
The pup has some serious separation anxiety issues though, even when one of us is in the bathroom he starts whining and barking. When my roommate isn't around, whenever I'm in the bathroom I have to leave the door open. Kind of weird, but that's the only way he'll stop whining.
But, in the end, I'm superhappy she decided to get a puppy! Good if you're an almost-regular jogger, we always have a jogging buddy. And well, nothing like it when I come back from classes and get to pet him.
A cat, I think, would take less energy to take care of. Cat food costs about the same as dog food. But I think they prefer canned food more.
" Dogs have masters, cats have staff."
We bought a loveable mutt last year for 100rmb. Perfectly healthy. Try to feed him dog food but he also likes eggs, rice, and sausage. So maybe we pay 200rmb a month for him. His puppy shots cost us 300rmb. Take him to a groomer twice a year and that costs 50rmb each time. We also buy treats and occasionally have to replace cords like an apple charger or a washing machine cord but that's not too pricey.
if you buy a pet in China, make sure you can take it to a vet of your choosing before actually buying it. the mental cost of getting a pet that dies shortly after is high, and there are plenty of those stories to go around. as other write, the expenses are low, be aware of the locals advising you on what to do and how to take care of the pet, the concept of having a pet is new to China. Some vets will prefer to give the pet "Chinese" medicine over imported stuff, and I am guessing the vet education level is significantly lower than other parts of the world.