FIVE WAYS TO SAVE

1 Buy own brand

Research from Which? found that it costs 9.5 per cent more to shop at local stores – so head for large supermarkets and buy own-brand in bulk.

2 Create a pet-sitting club

Paying someone to walk your dog averages £585 per year for just one walk a week. See if neighbours could form a rotating walking and pet-sitting service. With the average boarding kennel costing £120 per week, this would save £705 per year.

3 Buy online

Did you know you can ask for the vet’s prescription and order what you need from a certified online pharmacy for a fraction of the cost? For example, petdrugsonline. co.uk claims to save you up to 76 per cent on any pet care.

4 Check portion sizes

An estimated 40 per cent of dogs in the UK are overweight, so weigh their food. Look at the Body Condition System (vets4pets.com) to calculate whether your dog is the right weight, then work out their food portion.

5 Brush up

Professional grooming can be expensive, at an average of £258 per year. Instead, keep on top of basic tasks such as regular brushing – many Youtube videos show you how to care for your breed’s coat – and invest in a good brush to save a fortune. Andrea Knowles, personal finance expert at vouchers. co.uk