Tally the Costs

When tallying up the costs of keeping a dog or cat, include the medications you take, missed days from work or school, emergency visits to the hospital or physician's office, and the one-time expenses of allergy-proofing your home.

Allergy Medications
Average Cost for a Month's Supply

Claritin	1x/day	$49.20
Allegra	1x/day	$42.65
Zyrtec	1x/day	$40.27
Benadryl	3x/day	$10.53

Asthma management medications, including bronchodilators, anti-inflammatories, and orally- and nasally-inhaled corticosteroids, are an additional cost depending on frequency and dosage.

Estimated One-Time Expenses For Allergy-Proofing One 10' X 10' Bedroom

Items	Average Cost
Pillow Encasings (2) Queen	$15.00
Mattress Encasing, Queen	$78.50
Box Spring Encasing, Queen	$78.50
Duvet Encasing, Queen	$150.00
Carpet Removal	$30.00
Hardwood Floor including installation	$650.00
HEPA Filter	$150.00
Washable Curtains	$27.00
Total	$1,179.00

Immunotherapy

Plan on a typical expense of $500-$1000/year, ($250/year + $10-20/injection). Immunotherapy is a long-term proposition, lasting a year or more and requiring a lengthy series of injections to build up gradual immunity to the allergens that cause symptoms.