Owning a dog is always a rewarding experience but it can also be a costly one. When deciding to get a dog, it’s a good idea to write down the expected additional costs of welcoming a new furry friend into your home. The cost of owning a dog can vary dramatically based on age, breed and size and it’s a good idea to shop around to get the best value for your one-off and regular expenses.
The average annual cost of owning a dog is around £2,000 a year and you can expect to care for a dog for at least 13 years. So in calculating costs you should consider your current, medium and long-term financial situation.
It’s a good idea to divide estimated costs into three areas: One-off, regular and unexpected bills. Our estimated costs below will give you a clear idea of how much to budget for:
Estimated one-off expenses:
Estimated regular monthly costs:
Unexpected costs:
Unexpected costs usually stem from your dog taking ill or needing urgent/regular vet treatment.
By taking out a comprehensive insurance policy this can help you meet some of these costs but remember not everything will be covered under a pet insurance policy and there could also be additional excess fees for those that are. Dog insurance should never be considered an after-thought, as vet bills can run into thousands and tens of thousands of pounds without it.
