When considering bringing a dog into your family, one of the most important things to consider is the ongoing costs.
While the upfront price of a dog will also influence the decision, ongoing costs are much more important to think about.
We recently purchased a Cavapoo puppy and have been inundated with questions about how much they cost to own. So, we kept a note of everything we spent on our Cavapoo in one month.
You’ll be looking at around $100 a month in ongoing costs for a Cavapoo, or at least $1,000 a year. This includes grooming needs, food, toys, vet bills, insurance and training sessions.
You might be able to cut these costs down through budgeting, but this is the average price a Cavapoo owner can expect to pay.
Today we’ll be looking at the cost of owning a Cavapoo, including initial costs, ongoing costs, and the pros and cons of this dog breed.
Initial Cost Of Buying A Cavapoo
Cavapoos are popular dogs that are all the rage right now. They are lovable teddy bear dogs that people seemingly have no limit on how much they will spend.
In fact, the demand for Cavapoos is so high that their price continues to rise.
Right now, you can expect to pay between $1,000 and $3,000 for a Cavapoo puppy.
The cost can depend on a number of factors, such as location, parental genetics, breeder reputation, and more.
Supply and demand are other influential factors in the Cavapoo market.
Since supply is relatively low compared to the high demand, Cavapoos are able to be priced much higher than other dog breeds.
Puppies are even more popular than adult Cavapoos, making them even more expensive.
You might be able to mind a cheaper price from certain breeders, but make sure you do your research.
You need a reputable breeder to prevent your dog from growing up with an increased risk of health concerns.
Why Should You Beware Of Low Cavapoo Prices?
Lower prices often mean one of two things – the puppies are less healthy than they should be, or the breeder is scamming you or breeding too many dogs at once.
Backyard breeders are those that irresponsibly breed animals in less than-optimal conditions.
They are similar to puppy mills in that they try to breed as many dogs as possible to keep up with demand, putting the dogs at risk.
Because these breeders have more supply than reputable breeders, they can lower their prices to make them more attractive to buyers.
However, backyard breeders often fail to carry out the correct screening procedures for the parents to ensure they’re healthy enough to breed.
This leaves the puppies vulnerable to inheriting more health issues than puppies bred by reputable breeders.
Other cheap Cavapoo advertisements might be a front for scammers.
These people will entice you with lower prices than other breeders, only to take your money without giving you the puppy you were promised.
To find a reputable breeder, ask for references and past reviews, and check their qualifications and breeding areas to make sure they’re clean and safe.
Ask them about the parents and whether there are any genetic concerns you need to be aware of.
Reputable breeders will often give you a detailed answer, while backyard breeders will claim that their puppies are completely healthy.
Ongoing Costs For Cavapoos
Now that you’ve got your Cavapoo puppy home, let’s consider the ongoing costs you’ll need to factor into your weekly budget.
Dogs are not cheap members of the family – they require plenty of supplies and responsibility to keep healthy. You’ll need to pay for healthcare, food, grooming, training, and more.
Let’s take a look at the costs you’ll likely incur when owning a Cavapoo.
Healthcare Costs
There are several healthcare costs you need to think about when buying a Cavapoo puppy.
They’ll need all necessary vaccinations and health checks, and the breeder might ask you to pay for the dog to be fixed.
Going forward, Cavapoos will then need regular vet checkups to ensure they’re still healthy and thriving. This will most likely be once a year, although some vets like to book them every six months.
You’ll also need to pay for flea and worm treatments, vaccine boosters, and any other treatment they might need throughout their life.
We recommend that you get your Cavapoo insured to help with healthcare costs wherever possible.
Cavapoos might have higher insurance premiums due to their price and parental predispositions.
However, a monthly insurance cost can save you from very high vet bills should your dog fall ill in the future.
Grooming Costs
If you ask an owner about the most expensive part of owning a Cavapoo, they’ll probably mention the grooming costs.
Grooming is essential for Cavapoos as their hair doesn’t shed. Instead, it gets trapped in the undercoat and needs to be brushed out by the owner.
Cavapoos are very popular for their hypoallergenic coats, but this does mean more work for us in terms of grooming.
To remove the trapped hair, you’ll need to brush them with a slicker brush once every two or three days.
Otherwise, the trapped hair can get tangled and matted, which might lead to skin irritation and infection.
Because of their low-shedding coats, you should also take a Cavapoo to a professional groomer every six to eight weeks, although most owners do this once a month.
Depending on the salon, grooming could cost between $60 and $140.
Here they’ll bathe them and give them a trim, as well as a five-star pampering treat.
Without maintaining its coat through grooming, your Cavapoo could be vulnerable to more health concerns.
To keep costs lower, you can learn how to groom your Cavapoo at home. However, this would take plenty of time and patience, so many owners prefer to leave it to the professional!
Training Costs
Training a Cavapoo is imperative. Without it, your dog will be disobedient, assertive, and less likely to interact well with strangers and other pets.
You can train your dog yourself, but again, it takes plenty of time and patience.
You might find that the results are more impressive when you enrol your dog in training classes.
The majority of pet stores will offer training classes, and you can usually enrol in these for around $100.
It might be worth taking one of these classes to learn the basics of dog training so that you can implement the techniques in your own training at home.
However, if you want training to be done by a professional instead of trying your own hand at it, we recommend opting for a personal dog trainer.
The cost is higher per session, but the results are more than worth it.
Dog training classes are also a great way to socialize your dog from an early age, which is vital for them to grow into the friendly dogs we know and love Cavapoos to be.
Only you know how much professional training your dog will need, so the cost of training will be higher or lower depending on their temperament.
If you’re training your dog yourself, consider the price of equipment and treats.
Supplies Cost
The most important supply for a Cavapoo is its food. While it might be tempting to opt for cheaper food, this might not be in your dog’s best interest.
Cavapoos tend to suffer from sensitive stomachs, so you should opt for specially formulated dog food.
Always opt for premium dog food as these are healthier and can keep your dog thriving throughout its life. Spending more on food will be worth the extra years you get to spend with them. Take a look at our reviews of the best dog food for Cavapoos.
Other than the food, there seems to be an endless list of supplies a new dog owner needs to pay for.
Here are just a few of the supplies needed before bringing your dog home:
As your dog grows, you’ll need to replace these things with bigger alternatives.
Chew toys will also need to be replaced once they’ve been exhausted, so we recommend that you opt for higher quality, sturdier toys.
Not to mention the extras you’ll buy for your dog when you pass any dog section while out!
Some supplies are necessities, while others are fun extras.
Ongoing costs for a Cavapoo don’t always have to be boring and essential – some can further your appreciation and love for your dog.
Pros And Cons Of Owning A Cavapoo
Now we’ve looked at the cost of owning a Cavapoo, let’s take a look at the benefits and drawbacks of this dog breed.
Pros Of Owning A Cavapoo
There are many benefits of this dog breed – they’re one of the most popular breeds for a reason! Their personality is one of the main reasons why people choose Cavapoos.
They’re intelligent, kind-natured, and sociable. They love making new friends and they’re good for new owners.
Not only are they good first-time dogs, but they’re also excellent for people suffering from allergies.
They rarely shed hair, so you don’t need to worry about impacting your allergies thanks to pet dander.
Cavapoos also look adorable with fluffy coats and button noses. They are adaptable thanks to their smaller size, making them better suited to modern living conditions.
You might be able to keep a Cavapoo in an apartment, provided you offer them plenty of outdoor exercise time.
Cons Of Owning A Cavapoo
Unfortunately, every dog breed comes with its own set of drawbacks, and the Cavapoo is no exception.
They require plenty of exercise as they are energetic dogs, so they need lots of attention from their owners throughout the day. Ideally, you’ll be able to offer them one hour of exercise a day.
One of the biggest complaints about Cavapoos is that they suffer from separation anxiety.
They prefer their owners to always be around them, and they might exhibit bad behaviors if left alone for too long. These include digging, chewing, and howling.
Cavapoos are expensive to buy and maintain. Grooming can be overwhelming for some owners, so this might be a reason not to get a Cavapoo.
However, there are some money-saving tips you can use to prevent the ongoing costs from becoming too much.
Frequently Asked Questions about owning a cavapoo
Are Cavapoos High Maintenance?
Overall, Cavapoos aren’t considered too high maintenance. They’re good for first-time owners, so they’re not the most difficult to look after!
However, there are a few aspects in regards to this dog breed that make them more high maintenance than others.
The first is grooming. Cavapoos need regular grooming which can be expensive and tiring. The last thing you want to do after a long day is sit through a long brushing session with your dog.
However, to keep their coats healthy, you’ll need to do this once every few days.
Another way in which people might think Cavapoos are high maintenance is with their social anxiety and exercise levels.
They need an owner who has a lot of time to spend with them, both exercising and playing.
Whether you think a Cavapoo is high maintenance or not depends on what you’re expecting from your dog.
If you need one that is okay with being alone all day while you’re out working, then the Cavapoo might be too high maintenance for you.
What Are The Ongoing Costs Of Owning A Cavapoo?
The ongoing costs for a Cavapoo include vet bills, insurance, food, treats, furniture, toys, supplies, training, and grooming.
Some ongoing costs can be reduced by learning how to train and groom your dog at home.
This will take more time and effort on your part, but you could save a considerable amount of money by not paying a professional.
You might be tempted to lower the ongoing costs by opting for cheaper food and supplies.
However, cheaper food might include more filler ingredients that are less beneficial for your dog. Cheaper supplies will also break easier than more expensive alternatives.
On average, you can expect to pay around $1,000 a year for ongoing Cavapoo costs.
Summary
And there we have it! We hope that our article has provided you with valuable insight into the cost of a Cavapoo.
You’ll be spending at least $1,500 on the puppy itself, and then around $1,000 a year for ongoing costs.
These costs will differ depending on whether you train and groom them yourselves or not, and the location you’re in.
You might be able to save some money by doing plenty of research on training and grooming services, as well as food and healthcare.
However, we believe that the love and affection that your Cavapoo puppy will give you is more than worth the cost.
We can’t think of a better investment than a loveable pooch to call a best friend!
Thank you for reading, and good luck with your new Cavapoo puppy!