A ruff guide to what it costs to own a pet
Counts the cost of the lockdown sales boom for cats and dogs
GETTING a pet can bring an incredible amount of joy but it’s always important to consider the responsibility, time and the costs that come with a cat or dog. You are committing to 10 years or more of pet parenting – and that means a big commitment in terms of your time and cash.
The cost of buying a pet in the first place has shot up, with the boom in demand during lockdown sending prices rocketing.
The average cost of a dog is more than £1,000 – with some of the top breeds costing £2,000 – compared to an average of £731 last year.
Cats can cost £177, up from the average of £143 in 2019, according to data from pet insurer Bought By Many.
But that’s only the beginning of the costs. Insurance, essential accessories and kit, plus food, will all add up to thousands more over a pet’s lifetime.
Sarah Dawson, a technical claims manager at Bought By Many, says when she was a veterinary nurse she saw cats that were 21 years old. So people need to be prepared for a long haul of constant bills.
These are the four major costs Sarah says potential pet owners need to think about.
THE BASIC ESSENTIALS: £225
THINGS you may need include a bed, food and water bowls, toys and chews to keep pets stimulated, age-specific pet food and a lead, collar and tag.
Prices vary and pets grow, so you will need to replace these. Food needs to be calculated as part of an owner’s monthly outgoings – usually around £25 for a medium-sized dog.
ROUTINE HEALTH CARE: £150
FLEA care, worming and vaccinations will be needed. Initial treatments for puppies and kittens might come to £150 depending on size and breed.
Annual boosters cost another £40. These are not covered by insurance. Young pets need regular flea and worm treatment as most are born with worms and early treatment is crucial.
Pets should be vaccinated from eight weeks old to ensure adequate immunity that will last 12 months.
VET BILLS AND INSURANCE: £15-32 a month
THE most common claim for cats and dogs is gait abnormality or lameness, which can cost almost £500. And some long-term issues like hereditary heart disease cost up to £5,000 to manage. Consider cover as soon as possible because younger pets cost less to insure.
If a pet is diagnosed with a health problem, most insurers will exclude that and related issues forever.
TRAINING AND BEHAVIOUR:
£125 INSURERS are seeing an increase in behaviour-associated inquiries for younger pets, which cost an average of £252 per claim. So it can be best to start a routine and thorough training early. Some courses cost around £125.
Sarah says: “The cost of buying a pet has risen this year as the demand during lockdown outstripped supply.
“But in addition to the one-off cost of buying your pet, you can expect to pay up to an additional £900 in the first year. This includes basics such as beds, leads, collars, tags and toys, which you might need to restock over the years.
“There is also the ongoing cost of food which can rack up depending on the size, breed and dietary needs of your pet. It is also important to budget for health care costs. It’s essential puppies and kittens get their initial vaccinations and worming treatments to help prevent against disease and infection. Prevention is often both cheaper and better than the cure.
“By being proactive and booking in regular check-ups with your vet you can reduce the risk of your pet developing long-term issues.”
It’s not easy to predict when a pet might become ill and need treatment, and vet bills can become unaffordable.
Pet insurance can help to protect against these unplanned costs and ensure your pet gets good treatment.
Pet insurance may seem expensive as the average cost of insuring a dog is £386 a year, and for a cat it’s £182.
A French bulldog, one of the top choices for pooches currently, will cost a hefty £698 to insure.
But when you consider how much vet bills can add up to, having cover could save thousands of pounds and avoid the heartache of not being able to afford to get a pet treated. A typical health issue associated with French bulldogs is brachycephalic airway obstruction syndrome, which can lead to severe breathing problems and inflammation, and costs an average £1,387 for treatment.
Data from Bought By Many shows it paid out 91,607 claims for cats and dogs this year, with the most expensive dog claim £8,377 and cat claim £7,000.
Sarah says that the benefits of having a pet are priceless.
But she adds: “It’s important that owners are aware of all the potential costs associated with owning a pet, so they don’t get surprised by any unexpected costs along the way.”