Nice, located in the South of France, is considered an ideal city for dog lovers. It encompasses everything: green landscapes in the city , beautiful coasts and the mountains just an hour away, making it the place to be for anyone owning a dog.
The pet shop: An owners worst nightmare
And it’s true. French people here adore their dogs, but supporting them financially is no easy task. Starting from the dog food, in order to purchase a quality brand, one has to spend at least 60 euros to feed their dog per month. Adding to that the accessories, treats and toys, the pet shop transforms quickly into every owners worst nightmare.
Groomers replacing hair salons
More than that, the majority of breed dogs that french people adore, have long shiny coats. These coats though, need frequent grooming done every couple of weeks. With grooming spots in Nice charging from 45 to 70 euros to groom a small dog, many women kiss their frequent hair salons appointments goodbye.
Vaccins adding to the burden
But, enormous costs do not end there. A basic dog vaccine starts from 50 and can go up to 100 euros, depending on the clinic. Because of the lack of control by the French sytem, vets and clinics have the liberty to set their own prices. This just adds to the dog owners worries, who now have to do their own survey before booking a simple vaccine shot, as to not pay a fortune.
Nice being the most expensive city on the Mediterranean
With Nice being located on the Mediterranean, makes the dog owners of the city all the more bitter, seeing that it’s neighbouring countries, do not have the same costs. If we compare all the above with Greece, Italy and Spain, the prices for dog owners of Nice, truly seem unfair. Taking into account that their living prices do not vary as much, the situation truly leaves a bad taste in the mouth.
Is it worth it?
Despite the heavy burden, Nice is one of the most dog friendly places to be. Its citizens take great care of their dogs, something that can be seen just by strolling along the promenade. So, are these costs worth the uncoditional love that one gets in return? Seems so.
Watch the full reportage bellow:
