Getting a dog can be really overwhelming at some point. At one moment, you are buzzing with excitement as you realize that you’ll soon be having your own pet to love and cherish. On the other hand, there may be some moments where you feel really anxious and scared about what’s to come as having a dog comes with a lot of responsibilities. I’m here to tell you that all of this is pretty normal, especially for first-time pet owners. But you shouldn’t let the fear and anxiety win you over and prevent you from bringing home a fur baby today.
There are certainly a lot of things that you should consider before getting your own fur baby. However, the most important aspect that you should focus on is the type of dog breed that you would want to adopt or buy. You need to think long and hard about this and consider all factors that can help you find the best dog breed that suits you. There are a lot of wonderful dog breeds that are available in adoption centers or breeding groups that can give you a lot of options to think about. If you are reading this right now, then I’m sure that you are considering buying or adopting a Shiba Inu dog.
The Shiba Inu dog breed is known to be one of the smallest breeds in terms of size. They can only grow up to 17 inches in height and 23 pounds in weight. They are one of the best easily house-trained dogs that you can find anywhere. The Shiba Inu dog breed is known to be a very intelligent breed which makes it very easy to train for such things. This dog breed is the number one companion dog in the United States and also in Japan. You could never go wrong with getting a Shiba Inu dog.
THE COST OF HAVING A SHIBA
Before deciding to get a Shiba of your own, you may want to consider checking out how much it will cost you in order to ensure that the little pup remains healthy. This can also help you determine whether your budget can handle all the expenses for the maintenance of this fluffy breed.
1. Feeding a Shiba Inu
When it comes to dog breeds and their food, most of the dog sizes may possibly be fed the same diet as their nutritional needs may be similar in various life stages. Still, there are various factors that could affect or cause a change in the amount of food given to them, like the dog’s metabolism and activity. It is important to balance these things in order to avoid obesity. Talking about the fact that almost all dogs have the same basic needs when it comes to nutritional requirements, having different breeds does not necessarily require major differences apart from each other. There may be cases where certain nutrients appear to be more relevant for some breeds than the others, but most cases seem to be similar.
According to the National Research Council of the National Academies, an adult Shiba Inu that weighs around 20 pounds will be required at least 660 calories for average daily caloric intake. This still depends on how active your Shiba is. Like when they are exceptionally active, their body might need more calories a day that can rise up to 775 calories.
As recommended by the National Shiba Club of America, Shiba puppies must be fed at least one cup total of food a day, which is broken into three servings that is ⅓ cup. This amount will initially increase to a total of 1 and ½ cup of food per day as they grow older into an adult Shiba Inu. Let’s try to do the math. As a fur parent, your aim is to give your furbaby the best which means high-quality food is what you are supposed to be looking for, where quality dog food will most likely fall at about $2-$3 per pound on average. Let’s say you purchase a 30-pound bag for a total of $55, which is approximately 120 cups of dog food. This means a 30-pound bag could provide 80 days of food for an adult Shiba who would likely consume 1 ½ cups per day. That’s already 3 months worth of food for only $55. The numbers listed are just rough estimates but is surely clear evidence that feeding a Shiba Inu won’t cost you a fortune.
2. Vet Expenses
Considering that a Shiba breed isn’t the type of dog that you’ll see roaming in streets, this dog requires special care and regular check-ups with the vet. Though the Shibas are still considered a healthy breed, complications may come once they grow older, which is why it is important to consider including this in your budget mainly focused on Shiba care. Vet bills are relatively more expensive than dog food, so you must be prepared.
If you have no plans for breeding, spaying or neutering must be done right away which could cost anywhere from $250-$500. Common health issues may also be encountered in the long run like allergies, hip dysplasia, entropion, luxating patella, and a lot more. Glaucoma and cataracts are common for this breed as well, which is why it is recommended to get your eyes checked yearly to prevent or cure any symptoms before it gets worse.
Regular exams are recommended as some dogs may appear lively but was already experiencing something wrong in their body. It is better for them to be checked regularly before it’s too late to take action anymore. Serious injuries or uncommon health problems will of course be major vet bills as it ain’t something a vet does on a regular basis and some may even require surgeries. Vet expenses, when listed can be overwhelming, but Shibas on average are known to be healthy within a normal year, which means you don’t have to worry too much about these bills. Just make sure you have saved and prepared a few bucks in case unexpected scenarios occur.
3. Other costs
Once you’re done with the initial fee, food, and vet expenses, there are other kinds of costs you may encounter when computing for the Shiba Inu price. When the furbaby’s already home, owners just want to spoil them with a bunch of stuff like a young child and will start shopping, which means additional cost. These supplies may include a collar, water, and food bowls, comfy bed, leash, a brush, and lots of different useful stuff available in pet stores. For most furmoms or furdads, the amount spent on these kinds of things is nothing compared to the joy and comfort their little pup would have. It is a plus factor when the dog would actually love it and use it regularly as some can be picky at times.
Some Shibas may also need more training than the other breeds. A commonly known phrase among Shiba parents states that “A Shiba will do what a Shiba wants.”. Even though this breed will continue to have its rebellious spirit, intensive training that started in its early years can be the key to a more harmonious and calm home. Most dogs develop certain characteristics that are taught when they are still young and can still be adapted throughout their adult life.
DIFFERENT WAYS TO GET A SHIBA INU
Shiba Inus looks like fluffy, huggable creatures that you’ll want to take home. But having one also takes responsibility, patience, and love, or else, it would be a chaotic experience. Already sure that you can handle the expenses of having a Shiba? Here are some ways you can do to get one.
1. Purchasing
Buying Shiba Inu directly from breeders can be expensive. This depends on the breeding process which can cost around $1,500 to $3,500. If planning to purchase a puppy, it is safe to find a reputable breeder that does genetic testing of their animals in order to ensure the puppy’s health information is good. It is also important to make sure that the breeder is prepared to take back any pets they sell just in case its relationship with the new owner does not go pretty well. They must be committed to finding these little buddies a new home whenever necessary.
2. Adopting
Adopting a Shiba can guarantee a much lower cost than purchasing one. It can cost around $300 that will cover the expenses paid for caring for the dog before it was adopted. There’s a lot of dogs that are homeless across the country, which is why we recommended rescuing or adopting one first before planning to purchase from a breeder. There are also shelters and rescues that specialize in Shiba Inus where you can easily adopt one. You can also do this at the comfort of your own home as websites are now made readily available and are easily accessible online.
