Expensive to have a pet!

 Recently Swedish politicians have been talking about healthcare for your pets. 

That it is getting too expensive. Many people can’t afford to take their loved ones(pets) to the vet. 

 

I have a dog myself and we have been fortunate to have a very healthy dog, never really have had to take him to the vet. 

Just some vaccine once a year, around 30-40 USD 

 

But now when he is getting old, he got sick and need medicine and some blood tests then oh yes, it cost. 

 

For a blood test and a visit, it cost around 400 USD. 

 

But then we have insurance!  And oh my, how good that is. If not, well that’s another story. On the other hand, a pet insurance like the one we have costs around 50 USD a month. 

 

But even as a dog owner, I do understand that it is not a human right to own a dog or a cat etc. I get that, so what to do? 

 

Sweden has some of the highest taxes in the world - municipal income tax ∼30%, VAT 25% on most goods, plus payroll taxes 32%. That feeds into everything: vet salaries, clinic rent, dog food, toys, insurance. What you pay at the counter already has a big tax chunk built in. PUH 

 

Unlike human healthcare, there’s no universal public system for pets. Vet clinics are private, and many use advanced diagnostics and 24/7 emergency hospitals. 

 

Because vet bills can get huge, ∼90% of Swedish dog owners have insurance. It’s not cheap as I said,  depending on breed, coverage, and deductible. Skipping it is risky, but paying it adds 360-1000 USD to your budget…… 

 

 

Jesus used this exact principle in Luke 14:28: “For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it?” 
Dogs are a 10–15 year commitment, you need a budget, on the other hand we don’t have one and when we got the dog, well we did not think about that, but it sure is good to have one. 

 

Proverbs 12:10: “The righteous care for the needs of their animals.” 
If you take a dog in, you’re taking on a creature God made and called “good.” The high Swedish standards actually reflect this - laws against leaving dogs alone >6hrs line up with that verse. The cost is partly because Sweden enforces dignity for animals. 

 

James 1:17: “Every good and perfect gift is from above.” A dog can teach loyalty, joy, responsibility, even unconditional love that points to God. But if the desire for one creates anxiety, debt, or replaces dependence on God, it’s worth pausing. Philippians 4:6: “Do not be anxious about anything.” 

 

Many elderly people, living alone, to have a dog, cat etc is a good company. If you have a dog then you get out and talk to people. But if you have a low pension, like many have sad to say then…. Perhaps politics should look into it anyway…!? 

 

What do you think? 

 

From a Christian view, it’s a stewardship question, not just a money question. God doesn’t command “thou shalt own dogs,” but He does command wisdom, contentment, and care for His creation.