(Photo: Hannah Whitaker/New York Magazine)

The goldfish is often thought to be the ultimate cheap pet, but that title actually belongs to the Betta fish. All it requires is a bowl and thrice-weekly feedings (half as many as a goldfish). So how does a Betta stack up against a Labrador retriever, New York’s most popular dog? We ran the numbers.

Betta Fish
ACTUAL FISH: $4
FISH BOWL: $4 (or just reuse a bowl you already own)
TWO MONTHS OF FOOD: $3
ANNUAL TOTAL: $26

Labrador Retriever
ACTUAL DOG: Adopt free from New York Animal Care & Control

BED: $60
FOOD: $35 a month
DOUBLE BOWL: $12
LEASH: $15
COLLAR: $11
TOYS: $20
ANNUAL VET EXAM: Up to $300
GROOMING: $55 (four times a year)
ANNUAL TOTAL: $1,058

(All prices from Petco, 860 Broadway, nr. 17th St.; 212-358-0692)

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Fine, Keep the Dog...
But at least lower your canine costs.

1. Sign up for a dog-training camp put on by ABC’s of Dog Training in Astoria Park and Juniper Park (abcsofdogtraining.com).

2. Save an average of $30 on grooming by having your dog washed and trimmed by groomers-in-training at the New York School of Dog Grooming (212-685-3776).

3. Order bulk food from discount Website drsfostersmith.com (also saves you the trouble of lugging a huge bag of kibble on the subway.

4. Spaying or neutering your dog can cost $550 at a private vet. Have it done for about $75 at the Humane Society of New York (212-752-4840).

Annual Savings: $1,032
(Assuming the Betta fish doesn’t have to be replaced a few times.)

Related:

• Archive: “Cover Story”
• Table of Contents: Nov 10, 2008 issue of New York | Subscribe!