Spending on pets goes up for 2012

Posted: Jun 4, 2012 3:31 PM by Kathy Kuretich
Updated: Oct 16, 2012 11:51 AM

How much do you spend on your pet every year?
According to the ASPCA, Americans drop $695-dollars on dogs and $670-dollars on cats for food and medical care alone.

10 year-old maltese bichon, Blanca is one spoiled and happy dog.
"Every six weeks she gets her hair cut and bathed and teeth brushed and nails trimmed, the works," said owner Tony Nadratowski and Ladonna Johnson of Atascadero.
"She goes more often than I do," said Ladonna.
They spend about 50 to 60 dollars a month on Blanca... and she has the toys to prove it.
"She has a stroller that he hooks to his bicycle. It's a child's stroller and he takes her for rides," said Ladonna.

Joe Mlnarik of Atascadero said it doesn't take a lot to keep his pit bull Murphy, happy.
"We usually get him a bone or a squeek toy or something like that, he loves those, it doesn't have to be anything too special," said Joe.
With food and treats, Joe drops about 20 to 25 dollars a month on Murphy. And he said Murphy's just fine with that.
"He doesn't cost a lot to take care of, he just wants to be happy and he wants to be loved."

At Tails Pet Boutique in downtown San Luis Obispo, manager Cecilia Fontes said they make an effort to offer treats toys and trinkets for all kinds of budgets.
"We have little toys for cats that start at fifty cents, and then of course the big scratchers that go for as much as 500 dollars for a scratching tree," she said.
For the pampered pooch, there's also hiking gear, organic cakes, and slings... yes slings, an item that allows owners to keep their dogs wrapped up close them like an infant.

According to the Pet Products Association, spending money on pets is going up... way up.
This year, americans are expected to spend 52.9 billion on their pets, that's up from 51 billion in 2011 and 48.4 billion in 2010.

Ladonna and Tony said, Blanca is worth every penny.
"She's smarter than most people. She's very spoiled," said Ladonna.

According to the analysis spending firm, Bundle, Scottsdale, Arizona spends the most on their pets at $47.88 a month.
Durham, North Carolina is second at $38-dollars and Tucson, Arizona came in third, at $36.50 a month.