If you’re considering adopting a Poodle, you may know that Poodles come in different sizes. There’s the Standard Poodle, the Miniature Poodle, and the Toy Poodle. This means that you will pay different prices to adopt the Poodle size you choose, and it will cost a bit more or less to take care of your Poodle.
For this guide, we’re going to concentrate on the Miniature Poodle. These adorable dogs are quite a bit smaller than a Standard Poodle, weighing about 17 pounds at full growth and reaching about 15 inches in height.
It’s essential to note that the price of owning a Miniature Poodle doesn’t stop at paying for the Poodle and bringing it home. You’ll have to budget for one-time and monthly expenses to keep your pet healthy and happy. You can get a Miniature Poodle for free or for as much as $3,000 depending on the source and the monthly cost of owning this pup can be anywhere between $205 and $860.
We’ll break down how much it will cost to own a Miniature Poodle in the guide below.
Bringing Home a New Miniature Poodle: One-Time Costs
Owning a Miniature Poodle can be rewarding, and they certainly have plenty of love to go around. However, they can get expensive. Below we’ll give you some of the one-time costs, including how much you’ll pay for your Miniature Poodle, so you know what you’re getting into before you make your final decision.
Free
It is always possible that a pet parent will have to give away their beloved Miniature Poodle. For example, if the family is moving somewhere that they can’t take the dog, they may want to rehome the pet.
While getting the dog for free is great, you need to ask questions about the dog’s history and health before taking the animal home. The last thing you want is to take home a Mini Poodle only to lose it because of health issues because you didn’t ask. It’s also possible that the dog has behavioral issues that you need to know about. It’s also a good idea to ask the family’s vet for records on the dog before you make your final decision.
Adoption
Another great way to give a Mini Poodle a forever home is through adoption. This can run you anywhere from $50 to $300, possibly more, depending on the rescue shelter you adopt from. However, the rates will vary as each shelter sets its own fees.
Your location will affect the cost of the pet, as well as the age of the pet. Miniature Poodle Puppies are more expensive than full-grown Miniature Poodles will be, for example.
Other things that factor into the price include services the shelter has provided. Some include basic vet fees such as a checkup, vaccines, and microchipping with every pet, which factors into the cost. The more the shelter offers to do for the Mini Poodle before adopting it out, the higher your total cost will be.
Breeder
If you decide to go through a breeder for your Miniature Poodle, expect to pay between $1,500 to $3,000, according to the breeder and the dog’s age. The price is also determined by what’s included with the pup, such as health tests that have already been completed and AKC registration papers.
The breeder’s reputation can also affect the price. Breeders with little experience who charge low prices for Mini-Poodles should be avoided. Purebred Poodles are not cheap, and if you see an incredibly low price, you should walk away because it’s a red flag. Always ask to see the paperwork on the pet you’re adopting, and ask for a tour of the facility.
Initial Setup and Supplies
You can expect to pay between $575 and $1,190 upfront to set up your Miniature Poodle in your home. This includes everything from vaccines and professional grooming to vaccines, toys, bedding, food bowls, and the first visit to the vet.
List of Miniature Poodle Care Supplies and Costs
| ID Tag and Collar | $15 |
| Spay/Neuter | $50 to $400 |
| Microchip | $25 to $60 |
| Teeth Cleaning | $150–$500 |
| Doggie Bed | $15 to $30 |
| Nail Clipper (optional) | $7 |
| Brush (optional) | $8 |
| Professional Grooming | $75 to $100 |
| Vaccines | $100 to $250 |
| Toys | $30 to $50 |
| Carrier | $40 to $50 |
| Food and Water Bowls | $10 to $20 |
| Initial Vet Visit | $50 to $200 |
How Much Does a Miniature Poodle Cost Per Month?
As you can see, there are several one-time costs for a new pet to come into your home. However, now that the one-time costs and the purchase of the Miniature Poodle have been taken care of, you can expect to pay between $205 and $860 a month to keep your Poodle healthy, content, and happy.
These figures are just estimates, and they could be more or less depending on your situation and the age and health of your pet.
Health Care
You can expect to pay between $50 and $200 monthly for your Miniature Poodle’s healthcare needs. If your pet is healthy, you shouldn’t have to take it to the vet every month, but it is always a good idea to take the dog in for yearly checkups. This visit will cost you $200 to $300 for the vet fee, blood tests, heartworm and Lyme disease tests, flea and tick prevention, and the wellness exam.
Dental care can run you from $150 to $500 a year. However, your monthly costs shouldn’t be that bad as long as your pup is healthy.
Food
For a Miniature Poodle, the cost of food should be relatively inexpensive for a month. You should expect to spend between $40 and $50 a month, but that can vary according to the brand, where you buy the food, and whether your puppy needs a special diet.
Pet parents should invest in high-quality small-breed dog food for their Poodles to keep them healthy, happy, and carefree for many years.
Grooming
Grooming is another place where the costs vary. You can expect to spend between $30 and $100 a month, but visiting a professional groomer with your Miniature Poodle will cost more.
You’ll need to keep up with your Poodle’s grooming regularly, as Poodles who aren’t groomed properly will end up with tangled fur and mats. Having your pet groomed at least every 5 to 6 weeks is recommended to maintain its gorgeous coat.
Medications and Vet Visits
Unless your Miniature Poodle has health issues, you shouldn’t need to take it to the vet except for its yearly checkup. It is a good idea, however, to set aside money for emergencies because, with pets, as with humans, you never know what’s going to happen. Budgeting for emergencies is essential, so try to keep a bit set aside, especially if you decide not to get pet insurance for your Miniature Poodle.
Pet Insurance
Miniature Poodles are smaller than average and are more susceptible to injuries than Standard Poodles. Besides, you never know when an accident will happen, so pet insurance is recommended. While it’s not required, if you add up how much it would cost you should your Mini Poodle become ill or be injured, it far outweighs the cost of pet insurance.
Keeping that in mind, you can spend anywhere from $0 to $150 on pet insurance monthly. Depending on your pet’s age and other factors, you’ll pay zero if you choose not to get it and up to $150 if you do.
Environment Maintenance
Another area you can expect to spend money on is maintaining your Mini Poodle’s environment. You should expect to pay $30 to $60 a month on cleaning supplies for accidents, potty pads, and poop bags for cleaning up after your pet during walks. These prices can average from store to store and area to area, so this is an average estimate of what to expect.
| Cleaning Supplies | $10 to $20 a month |
| Potty Pads | $15 to $25 a month |
| Poop Bags | $5 to $15 a month |
Entertainment
Miniature Poodles are intelligent and energetic for their size. You’ll want to keep them entertained so they don’t become bored since a bored dog can be destructive. Several toys, treats, and other items are available to keep your Mini Poodle occupied and happy.
You can expect to spend between $15 to $150 a month, give or take a few dollars, on replacing toys and other equipment for your pet. You can enroll in a subscription box service that will come to your house monthly with toys and other items to entertain your Mini Poodle and keep it entertained and content.
Total Monthly Cost of Owning a Miniature Poodle
As you can see, owning a Miniature Poodle is much the same as owning any purebred pup. You can expect to spend between $205 to $860 monthly on your pet. This will cover everything we broke down in the list above and more in many cases.
These costs may vary according to your area and how much you need to spend on grooming and replenishing supplies.
Additional Costs to Factor In
In addition to those we discussed, there are other costs that you should factor into your budget. For example, you should budget for dog training, if needed, and even behavioral treatment.
Plus, you never know when you might have to go out of town and not be able to take your furry friend, so add enough to your budget to cover a pet sitter should the need arise.
Owning a Miniature Poodle on a Budget
While you may think that there’s no way you can afford to purchase and take care of a Miniature Poodle with your budget, that’s not exactly true. You can cut down on some of the costs by researching and finding the best store for supplies with the most affordable prices.
The one thing you don’t want to skimp on is the food for your furry pal. Always try to find the best high-quality formulas at the most affordable price, which will also help you on vet visits in the long run. You can also visit a manufacturer’s website for coupons and special deals. For example, some pet food companies provide coupons when you provide your email address.
Saving Money on Miniature Poodle Care
Saving money with your Miniature Poodle’s care can be as simple as grooming the dog yourself. You can even find YouTube videos that will teach you how. When it comes to pet supplies, you can save money by clipping coupons from the Sunday paper, visiting manufacturer websites for deals, and checking on social media platforms for special events and discounts.
Conclusion
Miniature Poodles are adorable, energetic, intelligent creatures that make great pets for the right family. They cost quite a bit to purchase and care for, but since they’re little dogs, they cost much less than caring for a large or giant breed.
The monthly costs for owning a Miniature Poodle vary from area to area. However, you can get deals on pet supplies and learn how to groom your pet yourself to save money. The Miniature Poodle is a fun-loving creature, and with the proper care and love, it will love you in return.
Featured Image Credit: everydoghasastory, Shutterstock
