Save money with a pet fish instead of a dog

The financial stakes are higher than you might think when you hear that question for the first time, “Dad, can we get a dog?” At this point, you need a long-term strategy for avoiding that path, unless your heart is set on a dog. If you’re on the fence and open to alternatives, I suggest a pet fish. It could save you thousands of dollars.

I do mean a single fish, and betta are well suited for solitary life. They’re separated at the pet shop because they’ll attack each other if kept in the same tank.

In this case, more is not merrier. In keeping only one fish, you make it the focus of attention, like you would a dog. Indeed, treat your fish like a dog in as many ways possible. Give it a name and make it a “member” of the family.

Our betta’s name is Reddy because, well, he’s red. He sits in a bowl in the kitchen, and we acquired it not long after the kids popped the question. They weren’t totally satisfied, but the requests for a dog have ceased. Our pocketbook is happy.

Pet fish savings

Here’s the estimated initial cost for a betta: $46. That includes a glass fishbowl ($18), rocks and ceramic decoration for fish bowl ($12), one-year-supply fish food ($3) and one-year-supply water conditioner ($8). And, of course, the betta ($5).

Ongoing annual costs: $11.

Now compare that to the average first-year cost for a dog: $3,085, according to two PennVet students who studied the issue in 2015. Kelly Giffear and Brittany Scott pegged the lifetime average cost at $23,410. A 2020 Rover.com survey found 47% of dog owners report spending nearly $3,400 on their dogs each year, while 32% of dog owners budget only $100 or less for their dog’s montly expenses.

Many dog owners are likely failing to consider unexpected costs, such as kennel costs. There’s also the potential for a dog destroying or damaging property. And if your dog bites someone, there’s legal liability to consider.

So just think how much you can save with a $5 fish: hundreds of dollars in the first year and thousands of dollars over several years.

Dog owners say the love they have for their pets makes these costs worthwhile, and I’ve seen how people, my friends and relatives included, develop special connections with their dogs. They are called man’s best friend for a reason.

Tips for bonding with a pet fish

But don’t underestimate the loveablity of a pet fish. It might not be cuddly like a dog, but there can be a place in your heart for it. Here are some tips to get the whole family loving your little Nemo:

01 Put your fish in a visible area

The kitchen is ideal because it gets a lot of foot traffic. A fish won’t follow you around the house, so it’s important to make sure it remains in sight and in mind.

02 Name your fish and refer to it often

Yes, talk to your fish just like people do with their dogs. Dogs respond positively to attention and betta will, too. More important, in talking to your fish, you’re showing your household that the fish is more than a fish. It’s part of your family.

03 Walk your fish

OK, you can’t walk a fish. But you need to maintain its living environment. Change the bowl’s water and clean the rocks/marbles at least once a week. If that seems like a lot, remember the time committment required to take care of a dog.

04 Involve the family.

If you have kids, assign them to feeding your fish. It gives them responsibility and a daily opportunity to interact with the pet.

Tips on taking care of your fish

Making your fish part of the family also requires it survive for more than a few weeks. As of April 2, 2021, we’ve had Reddy for nearly two years. From my discussions with pet store employees and from online research, keeping a betta in a bowl is not recommended. Well, I beg to differ. A bowl seems perfectly suitable for Reddy. However, you do have to be vigilant about changing the water. I take these steps to prolong Reddy’s life:

• Change the water at least once a week.
• Rinse out the bowl.
• Rinse off the rocks in a mesh strainer. Also, I swear by this additional step: Pour a gallon of boiling water over the rocks. Give the rocks a final, cold water rinse before returning them to the bowl. I like to think the boiling water helps kill bacteria and fungus in the rocks.
• Add new, room-temperature water to bowl.
• Add 5ml per gallon of Betta Bowl Plus or another betta water conditioner.
• Fill up a gallon bottle with fresh water to use for next week’s water change. Before I fill it, however, I rinse it out. I add 2 drops of Bettafix to the rinse to discourage any fungus growth.

I can’t guarantee following these tips will lead to a long life for your betta. It’s worked for us, though. Still no dog in sight.

When your fish dies, get another!

Betta can live several years if properly cared for. But should your betta die, have a little funeral. Say a few meaningful words. Remember the good times.

Then get another $5 fish and put the thousands of dollars you didn’t spend on a dog in the bank. Invest it or pay down that mortgage.