Canada is among the least expensive countries in North America when it comes to feeding a dog, with annual prices accounting for only two-thirds of those in the United States and lower than those of any other country except the Dominican Republic. But we’re in the middle of the pack when it comes to countries around the world.
Online lender and financial corporation CashNetUSA commissioned the study, which looked at the cost of feeding an average-sized dog 540 grams of dry food each day, based on the cheapest food they can find in local supermarkets or, if that’s enough. That won’t be the case. Calculated, from a foreign supermarket that would ship to that country.
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The results: Japan is the most expensive country in the world to feed a dog, with costs amounting to just over $2,000 per year. (All figures are in U. S. dollars. ) Other expensive countries include Andorra ($1,854), Uruguay ($1,444), Saudi Arabia ($1,252) and Switzerland ($1,185).
At the other end of the scale, Botswana came in as the cheapest country to keep a dog fed, at just $163 a year. Some other low-cost countries were Hungary ($246), France ($281) and Ireland ($299).
Canada is in the middle of the pack at $558. 92 per year. But that’s particularly lower than the U. S. figures of $865 and Mexico’s $919. In fact, all North American countries for which data was consistently available got more than Canada, with the exception of the Dominican Republic, where the figure is only $409.
The study also noted that recent inflation in both human and pet foods has led to some people having to make a choice between feeding themselves and feeding their pets.
And he pointed out that less expensive doesn’t necessarily mean better. In Botswana, considered the cheapest country in the world to feed a dog, he quoted a local businessman as saying: “Most retail brands in Botswana and across Africa use Fundamental Formulas, which affect dogs suffering from inflamed skin and caused scratching build-up. By (a) imbalance of omega 3 and 6 grades, as well as inadequate levels of essential fatty acids such as DHA and FPA.
Also, high pet food prices can drive dog owners to just feed their animals with scraps from the table. In Afghanistan, for instance, the annual cost of dog food compared to the average net income is 133 per cent, meaning that the average wage-earner there would be unable to afford to feed a dog.
But according to the Afghanistan German Shepherd Dog Club (the only licensed dog food store in the country), most locals “feed their dogs raw meat, rice, bread, beans, nuts, bones and fatty foods. ” , which is healthy. ” The fact that dog food has to be imported from Europe and Turkey also contributes to the high prices in those countries.
The researchers also asked the American Kennel Club for affordable, non-dog supplements that can be added (in moderation) to a dog’s diet. The organization recommended carrots (for fiber and beta-carotene), cranberries (antioxidants), fish oil (omega-3 (essential fatty acids) and plain green beans, raw or cooked, for their vitamin content. They suggest consulting a veterinarian before making any adjustments to a dog’s diet.
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