Pet Costs in Malaysia – Can You Afford One?

by: Balkish Rosly

Pet Costs and Your Wallet

Pets have been scientifically proven to provide relief in so many ways to their human counterparts, but they can be quite the strain on your wallet. You can now tell your children that the doggie in the window will burn a hole in daddy / mummy's moneybag, since you should always be prepared that forking out more than what you first thought is the norm. When considering to adopt (never buy if possible, there are so many pets out there that are also deserving of your love!), here's what people usually have to consider: from necessary items like food, a cage, and the occasional trips to the vet, plus other items such as toys, you are definitely going down the road to hefty expenses.

People still go ahead with their decisions anyway. The reservoir of love and gratitude in a pet can be boundless (yes, even those 'cold' felines are capable!) and is priceless, which is why so many Malaysians treat their pets like family. If you're thinking of doing the same - let us help you get an estimate for the costs of owning common house pets like a cat, dog, and guinea pig so you don't have to get a shock at the pet store!

Costs to Consider: One-Time Costs

1. Adoption Fee

Craving for a little kitty or a cute dog? Save Money and refrain from purchasing them from the pet shops. Instead, extend your love to local animal shelters like PAS and SPCA and adopt a pet! According to PAWS, the cost of adopting a neutered adult cat is RM30, while a kitten will cost RM50. If feline ain’t your fancy, get an adult dog for RM50 (neutered) or a puppy for RM80.

For those who dislike big furry animals, guinea pigs will make a great pet for you. Still cuddly but easier to maintain compared to bigger pets, guinea pig is a workaholic’s pet choice. But then again, these funny fellas – especially those furry and exotic ones – could cost up to RM200 to RM300 a pop.

2. Neutering Fee

The cost of neutering / spaying differs according to the gender and pet type; spaying a female pet will be costlier because it involves a more invasive procedure, as opposed to the quick snip of the male’s dangly organs. For concerning owners, do expect to pay these prices for neutering your pets!

Female Cats: ~ RM120 (private vet) / ~ RM60 (government vet)
Male Cats: RM80 (private vet) / ~ RM50 (government vet)
Dogs: Minimum RM200 depending on the size of the animal

3. Vaccination and De-worming

If you’re planning on adopting a stray, then the first task is to always bring it to the vet for the first vaccination, body check, and de-worming. The price depends on the type of pet, age, and of course the vet. However, do expect to fork out around RM100 for the procedures.

4. Cage

Animals like cats, dogs, and smaller rodents like guinea pigs and hamsters also require a cage. For this, be prepared to shell out RM160 – RM800 for bigger animals (think feline and canine); while a cage for rodents can cost between RM80 to RM300. If you love aquatic creatures, a large aquarium tank with basic filters, water pumps and chiller will set you back RM450.

5. Miscellaneous Items (Collar, Nail Clipper, Litter Pan, and others!)

Let’s not forget other bits and pieces like a collar, license (for dogs only), nail clipper, litter pan, and toys! For convenience’s sake, budget around RM100 to provide your pet with these essentials.

Take a look at the table below for the full estimation:

Costs to Consider: Annual Costs

Items like food, shampoo, yearly vaccination and boosters, grooming and are recurring costs. To summarize, here are the estimated expenditure that one can expect when taking care of their pets:

This writer would like to try and calm the nerves of the would-be pet owners, sometimes it may not have to be this pricey. An article like this serves as just a rough estimation of what an owner can expect when taking care of these stress-relievers (research shows that petting an animal is better than taking anti-depressant pills - so lay off the Prozac and pet a warm ball of fur instead), and we do not mean to deter anyone from the happiness that a simple purr / deranged barking could evoke.

How much do you have to spend for your pet? Let us know in the comment section!

* Balkish Rosly is an Investigative Journalist of SaveMoney.my, an online consumer advice portal which aims to help Malaysians save money through smart (and most of the time painless) savings in their daily banking, technology, and lifestyle spending habits.