[mexcelaya]

About how much money would I spend on a pitbull, like going to the vet (chech up) shots, food, dewormned,. oh and cropped ears

[arisaunt]

First, I hope that you plan to rescue a pit, rather than buy one. The second thing to think about is why you want this particular breed. If you are looking for a loyal, loving companion, then a pit could be right for you. As for expenses, you want to feed your dog the best quality food possible. Most dogs do best on a RAW diet, which you can now buy frozen in most pet stores. When you feed RAW, you are going to spend more because you have to include supplements that can be pricey. You could choose a high quality canned food instead. I like Halo, which is organic. Wellness makes some good canned foods, too. If you must feed dry food, try EVO, Halo, or Wellness. I suggest a combination of canned and dry food. Cans can cost anywhere from $2 to $4 per can. Bags of dry food can cost up to $35 for the largest size. As for vet expenses, your dog will need to be spayed/neutered if it isn't already. This can cost anywhere from $200 to $500 depending on the vet. You also should take your dog for a wellness visit at least once a year, but every six months is best. The office visit can cost anywhere from $45 to $100 again depending on the vet. You also should vaccinate your dog. Vaccines can run another $100 to $200 per year. In addition, you must have your dog tested once a year for heartworm as well as give it heartworm preventative medication once a month. It costs approximately $60 for a six month supply. In short, be prepared to spend $1000 to $1500 a year to care for your dog. Remember, a pet is a lifelong commitment. Just like people, they get sick, particularly as they get older. It can be very costly to take care of a sick dog, which is why so many are brought to shelters. The bottom line is that having a dog in your life is wonderful - as long as you can afford to care for it.

[mexcelaya]

Thanks for the tips but can you explain what is raw diet ? I really don't know a lot about them

[arisaunt]

It is a diet that consists of raw meat, such as beef, lamb, and chicken, much like a dog would eat in the wild. The theory is that domestic dogs have so many health problems because all of the nutrients are removed from commercial dog food during the cooking process. Google it because there is so much to read to really understand it fully. Also, when and if you get the dog, talk to your vet about it to see if it is the right choice for you.

[mexcelaya]

OK thanks