How much does it really cost to own a pet?

We all love our pets – whether they’ve been a constant companion our whole lives or are a new addition to the family, they bring endless unconditional love and fun. As we found in our previous blog on how to give our pets a treat on a budget, there are countless benefits to owning pets, from keeping us fit to protecting our mental health.

That said, owning a pet is a massive responsibility which shouldn’t be taken on lightly. Many people forget that looking after a pet involves more than just feeding them, neglecting to take other costs into consideration. In fact, research from People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA) discovered that a whopping 98% of pet owners underestimated the costs of owning a pet in the long term. So if you’re thinking of bringing a new furry friend into your home, you need to know how much it actually costs and what kind of pet will best suit your budget.

Contents

1. Cost of owning a dog
2. Cost of owning a cat
3. Cheaper options: rabbits and fish
4. Cost of owning a rabbit
5. Cost of owning a fish
6. How to save money looking after your pets

The cost of owning a dog

As a nation, the UK has a serious case of puppy love. According to a 2024 study, dogs were the most popular pets to own in UK households, with the percentage of households in the UK owning a pet in general being 57%. Owning a dog cost an estimated 1,875 British pounds a year in the UK as of December 2022. We’re big fans of our canine companions, and seem to happily shell out the cash to prove it.

In fact, a recent study shows that just two weeks of boarding a dog was estimated to cost 450 British pounds per year, making up the largest share of total dog expenditure. This goes to show how much we love them, but what basic costs should we be aware of when we think about getting a dog?

Initial Costs

Getting a pooch may not seem like it’ll cost much at first sight. You can adopt a dog for £250 from shelters like Dog’s Trust, or £175 for dogs over six months old from Battersea Dog’s Home, and between £200-£275 from the RSPCA. If you’re looking for a puppy it will cost slightly more, set at £250 from Battersea Dog’s Home and up to £350 from the RSPCA.

The benefit of adopting a dog means they come fully vaccinated, microchipped, neutered and will have had a full vet check. Your new pup will also come with a collar, a starter pack of food, a lead and a month’s worth of insurance to get you started.

However, if you opt to buy a dog from a breeder it can cost anywhere between £400 to as high as £15,000 for rare or pedigree breeds. PDSA have listed a total breakdown of how much it costs to own a dog over their lifetime, compartmentalised by the size of their breed:

• Small dog breeds: At least £5,200 - £10,000
• Medium dog breeds: At least £7,500 - £11,800
• Large dog breeds: At least £6,900 - £15,700

The RSPCA have also created a Pet Cost Calculator, to provide you with an accurate estimate breakdown for owning either a dog or cat, based on their species, size and breed. For example, the estimated cost of owning a medium-sized dog such as a Cockapoo totals between £71-241 per month, compartmentalised into:

• Food (£20 - £80 a month)
• Grooming (£35 - £47 a month)
• Insurance (£7 - £40 a month)
• Routine Health Care (£11 - £14 a month)
• Poo Bags (£3 - £10 a month)
• Toys (£1 - £50 per month)

The Essentials

Microchipping your dog costs an average of £14.50, but can range between £10 and £30 which includes both the initial registration and the implantation of the microchip.If you don’t get it done you run the risk of a £500 fine, making it an absolute essential to help keep your dog safe and avoid a hefty fee.

After these initial costs, you’ll need to consider everyday costs such as food, bowls, beds, toys and all the other small things your pup will need throughout their life. You’ll then need to pay for vaccinations, which costs between £40 -£70 for puppies and then up to £50 each year for annual boosters.

Pet food alone can cost around £50 a month depending on the food you’re buying, coming to an estimate of around £300-£500 a year according to research. When it comes to ongoing costs such as regular flea and worm treatments and yearly health checks, it’ll cost between £50-£350 a year.

Dog Insurance

Then there’s the money you should put aside ‘just in case’ so you’re prepared for the worst. If your dog gets injured or ill, you need to be sure you’ll be able to cover the costs. By comparing a range of insurance providers and cover at CompareTheMarket, they found that the average premium for dogs stands at £156 a year, and that the average monthly cost of dog insurance is £12.97, but can cost anywhere between £10 and £85 per month depending on the cover you opt for and from which insurance company.

Thankfully there’s a wide range of pet insurance options on the market to suit a range of budgets, so it’s simple to get a fair quote which will still keep your pet safe. Keep in mind that these costs will increase as your dog gets older.

Extras

Plus, many of us will have to factor in costs of doggy daycare and similar schemes if we don’t have the luxury of a dog-friendly office. These daycare options are great as they keep your dog happy and socialised, and some even come with training classes thrown in – but with an average cost of between £20 and £45 a day the prices stack up fast.

There are also extra expenses like pet grooming which can cost between £20 and £100, not to mention dog walking (average of £11.25 per walk) or kennels if you can’t bring them with you on holiday which cost an average of £30 per day. Some dogs may also need some training classes, but if you’re an experienced dog owner you may well be fine training your dog at home.

Overall Cost

Ultimately, according to research by PDSA, owning a dog costs an average of £15,700 over their whole lifetime, varying depending on their size, breed and age. The initial cost of getting a dog is under £250 if you choose to adopt, but if you buy a dog initial costs can get to around £900 when you take into account all the medical necessities.

The cost of owning a cat

Unsurprisingly, owning a cat comes out cheaper than a dog! They’re smaller, usually less expensive to buy or adopt and cheaper to feed. They’re also quite independent, so need less looking after generally. Unlike dogs, they won’t need daycare or walking, making them far less high-maintenance and a lot more self-sufficient.

However, on the whole they still need everything a dog needs, including pet insurance, food, toys, vaccinations, boosters and microchipping. It’s also worth noting that cats usually live longer than dogs, meaning that while initial costs may be less, they can still stack up in the long term.

Initial Costs

Adopting a cat from the RSPCA costs £100, as per their standard cat adoption fee policy. Prices can be more or less depending on the cat’s age, breed and special needs. As with dogs, they’ll come fully vaccinated and microchipped from a rescue centre, along with one month’s free insurance. On Pets4Homes you can sometimes get a cat for free or as little as £10, but for rare breeds and pedigrees such as Maine Coon kittens - the prices go up into the thousands!

According to Anrich Vets, the average cost of a kitten's initial vaccinations is around £75, whereas average neutering costs between £40 to £100, microchipping £10 to £30 plus between £40 and £65 a year for annual boosters and jabs.

The Essentials

Cat food works out cheaper than the cost for dogs, but still comes to around £100 – £200 a year, but can be up to £36 per month depending on the food you opt for and whether you’ve got a picky eater. Extras like a cat basket, collar, litter tray, toys and a bed will usually be around £200 a year, and catteries only cost £5- £30 a day for when you’re going on holiday.

Cat Insurance

The average monthly cost of cat insurance starts from between £7 - £10 per month, and can be estimated at around £125 per year for lifetime cover. It’s worth noting that, like dogs, cats have vastly varying personalities. Some may prefer to be indoor house cats who may need cat litter and more toys to keep them busy, but are less likely to get fleas, injured or lost which outdoor cats run the risk of. How much you spend on things like insurance and everyday necessities will depend on the personality of your cat. For example, if you need to buy more expensive food for picky eaters or install a cat flap, these could make them more expensive to look after.

Overall cost and ways to save

Overall, the PDSA estimates the cost of owning a kitty of your own is approximately £11,100 over their lifetime. This isn’t as much as owning a dog, plus there are still plenty of ways to save.

Cheaper options: Rabbits and fish

The cost of owning a rabbit

There are plenty of other options if you’re looking for a more budget-friendly pet. Rabbits and fish are popular options and great starter pets if you don’t have the budget or the space for a dog or cat.

However, unlike cats and dogs who can integrate happily into the family home, these pets will all need specialist environments such as cages, hutches or tanks which will need constant upkeep. They will also have more varied food which varies from cheap fish food to fresh vegetables.

Initial costs

Rabbits only cost around £40 from adoption centres, or £60 for a bonded pair of rabbits. Alternatively, they cost between £15 to £55 from pet shops and breeders. At adoption centres they’ll come neutered and vaccinated, but if you buy them you’ll have to cover vet fees of around £55 per year and between £80 - £250 to have them spayed or neutered.

The Essentials

The hutch itself will cost you at least £75, with hay for the month coming in at between £10 and £25. Veggies you can buy with your own grocery shop, but expect to spend around £20 a month, plus £55 for pellets.

Insurance

Rabbits run less risk of being injured in the same way as cats and dogs since they’re kept in the home, meaning insurance is an affordable £7 to £18 a month.

Overall cost

When considering food, the hutch, vaccinations and insurance for rabbits, the average cost of owning a rabbit comes to just £500 to £1,000 a year – far cheaper than cats and dogs. Give or take an extra £50 or so for treats and toys and this still doesn’t come to much – less than £100 a month. This makes a rabbit a budget-friendly pet which is still super cute and cuddly for the whole family.

The cost of owning a fish

Fish are the perfect option for those of us living in houses where other pets might not be allowed, and for those of us on a tight budget. Both relaxing and beautiful to look at, they’re popular with all sorts of pet owners.

However, depending on how many fish you choose and the size and type of tank, the initial cost of getting them can stack up fast, though the general upkeep over their life is dramatically lower than dogs, cats and rabbits.

Initial Costs

Unlike the other pets on the list, it’s rare to buy just one fish. Most fish owners have a few fish in their collection, with tropical fish owners often having a beautiful selection in the double digits. Classic fish like goldfish cost only a couple of pounds, whereas tropical fish range in price depending on the type of fish and how many you buy. For example, the blue Neon Tetra, which is a popular tropical fish, can cost £0.50 each, £0.45 each if you buy 50, or £0.40 each if you buy 100.

The Essentials

The bare monthly essentials won’t set you back much. A box of fish food usually costs around £5.99 at most and will last you a long time as it’s dry and fish don’t eat very much. Most of the costs for owning fish come down to maintenance – namely keeping the tank clean and making sure their aquarium environment is right to keep them happy and healthy. Depending on the size of tank you need and whether it needs to support coldwater or tropical fish, it can cost anything between £36 for a basic tank to £600 for a big, top of the range aquarium. Cleaning essentials will cost another £25, while bonus tank accessories, live plants and aquascaping could cost another £40-£50.

Insurance

You won’t need to worry about vet bills and insurance like you do with other pets, but as a fish’s lifespan is considerably shorter than cats, dogs and rabbits you won’t get to enjoy their company for as long.

Overall cost of owning fish

Overall, although the cost of fish is less they are arguably more high maintenance than other pets due to their environmental needs. Although they’re cheaper to buy and feed, and there are no insurance fees, their environment can cost a bundle and will need constant care and attention, so make sure you’ve got the time to put in if you want a vibrant collection of tropical fish.

How to save money while looking after your pet

Don’t worry, this isn’t about putting you off getting a pet – it’s just to make you fully aware of the responsibility you’re taking on. As we’re sure most pet owners will tell you, the love and companionship you get back from your beloved pet will absolutely make all the costs worth it. Plus there are still plenty of ways to save money and cut costs while still giving your pet their best possible life.

How to save money with a dog

Firstly, it’s miles cheaper to adopt a dog from a trusted seller rather than buying. Not only does it save you money in upfront costs and initial vet fees, but it also means you’ll be giving a dog in need a loving home, so everybody wins.

You can also cut costs with easy habits like buying own-brand dog food in bulk and making homemade treats. Ask friends and family to look after your dog if you can’t take them with you on holiday, and for dog walking and pet sitting services use low-cost sites like BorrowMyDoggy.com or Rover. With sites like this, you only pay a small fee and a dog lover near you will look after your pet for the simple reward of being around your lovely dog for a lovely walk around the park, or a discounted rate for pet sitting compared to kennels.

By all means, treat your dog to the finer things in life, but keep track of your spending so you don’t overdo it. If your dog ignores their expensive toys but adores that dirty old stuffed bunny, then it’s probably not worth buying them more goodies.

You can also groom your pet at home rather than paying expensive dog grooming fees, and train them at home to make sure they’re kept safe. Plus, if you have multiple pets, most insurance companies will give you a multi-pet discount so you save overall.

You can get absolutely everything you need for less with Savoo’s top voucher codes. Find them a bed, collar, leash and other must-haves at bargain prices with our Pets At Home Discount Codes, get affordable medical supplies from Viovet and buy dog food in bulk without breaking the bankwith our top deals at Pure Pet Food.

Whatever you need, find a bargain with the latest Savoo pet deals.

How to save with other pets

Many of these tips work for saving money with cats and rabbits too. Whatever kind of pet you have, a few more ways to save money include:

• Get own-brand pet food.
• Make homemade treats.
• Make your own toys or keep it simple with basic tennis balls and bits of string.
• Groom your pet yourself.
• Ask friends and family to watch your pet while you’re away.
• By all means, treat your pet, but keep track of costs for treats like toys and clothes
• Train your pet to help keep them safe.
• Insurance discounts for multiple pets, plus discounts thanks to Savoo’s voucher codes from companies like Argos Pet Insurance .
• Make small lifestyle changes so you have some extra cash to spend on your pets (e.g. skip your morning takeaway coffee and put aside what you save into a ‘just in case’ savings account.)
• And of course, use Savoo’s great voucher codes to save you money at top brands like PetsatHome, VioVet Christie’s Direct and many more great pet vouchers and deals.
• Don’t buy flea worming treatment etc at the vets, just get the prescription, if needed, then buy online to save money. You can use any one of our Savoo deals and discount codes across pet medication, such as Pet Drugs Online.

Top tips from My Pet Needs That are:

• Obtain pet insurance that specialises in the type of animal you keep. For instance, there is pet insurance solely for French Bulldogs, birds and reptiles. These insurers will be experts in the type of animals they promote and therefore, be aware of the likely conditions that they carry. They often offer a ‘lifetime cover’ option that will ensure that any hereditary conditions will be covered for life.
• Many believe that medicine prescribed to an animal has to be bought from the vet that issues it, but this isn’t true. Call around your local vets and check online to make sure you’re getting the best deal.
• When adopting any kind of pet, don’t initially buy the food in bulk. Pets can be very fussy and ‘turn off’ their food, which will leave you with a stack of unwanted food. Buy small at first and be sure that your pet likes the food you’ve found, then buy in bulk to save later on.

For rabbits specifically, a few ways to save are:

• Grow Your Own Vegetables: Plant a small garden with rabbit-friendly vegetables and herbs like carrots, lettuce, parsley, and basil.
• Buy A Second Hand Hutch or Build Your Own: Look for used hutches on online marketplaces or consider building one yourself using affordable materials.
• DIY Toys and Enrichment: Make your own rabbit toys using household items like toilet paper rolls, cardboard boxes, and old towels.
• Bulk Buy Hay and Pellets: Purchase hay and pellets in bulk from farm supply stores or online retailers to get a better price per pound.
• Use Natural Litter: Instead of commercial rabbit litter, use shredded paper or wood stove pellets which are often cheaper.**

Support animal charities for free when you use our voucher codes

Remember, as well as giving an animal a forever home, you can also help support the great charities that help look after animals in need without spending an extra penny. Simply create a Savoo account and take a look at the charity directory to start supporting a charity that means something to you, such as Blue Cross or Cats Protection.

Every time you use one of our voucher codes to save on a purchase, we’ll donate to your chosen charity, meaning you’re giving back without spending anything extra. You can also donate simply by using our Search, Save and Raise search engine. For every search you make we donate a penny to your charity. If you think about how many searches you do in a day, from checking the weather to searching for dog toys, these pennies will add up fast.

So why wait? Start shopping from your favourite brands now and give essential donations to a charity you care about.