Bo woes could nip the Obamas

Any pet owner will tell you the arrival of the First Family's new dog, Bo, must be a sign the economy is turning around. Adding a pet to your household is sure-fire, four-footed economic stimulus, as doting owners dig deep to keep Boots in catnip and Fido supplied with kibble.

The Obamas aren't alone. The American Pet Products Manufacturers Association says we'll spend $45.4 billion on pets this year, up 5 percent from 2008.

But it's a good deal, the association notes, since owning a pet reduces stress and heart disease and prevents depression. And, with the money Barack and Michelle fork out for the First Fido, maybe a Depression, too.

A high-maintenance pooch

Let's start with the breed. Portuguese water dogs were nearly extinct 30 years ago, so breeding them is costly.

"In Michigan, they're $1,800 to $2,000," notes Kathy Maguire of Plymouth, a breeder and president of the Great Lakes Portuguese Water Dog Club.

Their long, curly hair (not fur) needs grooming every six weeks, at about $85 for a wash, trim and blow-out, Maguire says, or more than $700 a year. That's more than double the $320 the ASPCA's annual estimate, and a good chunk of the total first-year pet cost of $1,580.

Portuguese water dogs don't need special food, like linguica or salt cod, but they can have medical issues, Maguire says, including cancer and Addison's disease. But that doesn't mean the Obamas should run out and buy medical pet insurance.

Consumer Reports says you'll pay more for comprehensive pet coverage than you'll get in benefits, after premiums, co-pays, payment caps and exclusions. Unless your pet is a breed with chronic problems, you're better off banking the money instead.

Pick a policy

Another option is a policy that covers only serious illness or accidents (but not the ones on the Oval Office carpet). The American Animal Hospital Association approves several policies with deductibles of $500 to $1,000 and low monthly premiums to cover catastrophic medical problems. You can find a buyer's guide to pet insurance at http://www.healthypet.com">www.healthypet.com.

The idea, says spokesman Jason Merrihew, is to prevent pet owners from being forced to choose between putting Fluffy down and paying her bills. "We had seen studies showing pet owners were able to spend $500 to $1,000 until the question of economic euthanasia came into play," Merrihew says.

With doggie pacemakers going for $5,000 and liver transplants for cats at $10,000, it's obvious many pet owners open their hearts along with their wallets, so maybe Obama should consider insurance. Meanwhile, the Pet Products Association estimates he'll shell out $107 for toys and treats, bringing the tab for Bo's first year in the White House to more than $3,000.

Our president will learn that even though he's bought a water dog, when it comes to pets, it's the owner who gets soaked.

boconnor@detnews.com">boconnor@detnews.com 313-222-2145