Looking to welcome a pet into your household, and concerned about pet care? There’s nothing more joyful and enriching for many people than bringing up a pet, especially from a young age, but it can be easy to underestimate the costs involved with doing so. Just like having children, a pet is a significant responsibility no matter their size or species, and the costs of looking after them are generally not cheap.
As a pet owner, you want to do the best for your new family member, so how can you ensure your financial plans match? Well, understanding potential costs is the best place to start, then you can look to create a budget to ensure nothing is missed. Below, we’ve highlighted a few of the costs to consider along with how to cover and potentially prepare for a lifetime of ownership.
Yes, you want to just think about all the fun aspects of having a pet, but providing a loving and stable environment for your new family member shouldn’t be overlooked, and with a few adjustments, you can do so without breaking the bank.
The Reality of Pet Care Costs
Aside from the initial costs when deciding to adopt a pet or buy from a breeder, which can vary dramatically up to thousands of pounds for pedigree breeds, you’ll have a number of ongoing costs to think about. As per survey data from the PDSA in 2023, 86% of pet owners said the cost of owning their pet has increased, with 33% saying it was more expensive than they expected. Here are just some of the costs to think about:
- Initial visits to the vet – for vaccinations, microchipping, and spaying or neutering can add up to a few hundred pounds.
- Food is a recurring expense – with costs varying significantly based on the pet’s size and dietary needs. For instance, specialised diets for any health conditions can be more expensive.
- Regular grooming sessions – while varying in frequency and necessity, can also add to the monthly budget, particularly for breeds with long hair or specific care requirements.
- Routine vet visits – annual check-ups are another cost to consider, typically starting from £20 upwards annually. Preventative medications for fleas, ticks, and worms are also necessary and can cost upwards of £10 to £20 per month.
- Unexpected expenses – due to illnesses or emergencies are perhaps the most challenging to predict. Treatments for accidents or serious health issues can quickly run into thousands of pounds.
The importance of having a financial buffer in terms of savings or a good pet insurance policy in place will help to manage these costs without compromising your pet’s health. There are a number of charities in the UK that may be able to support you with vet costs and neutering schemes such as the PDSA, Cats Protection, and RSPCA, but you’ll need to check eligibility for this.
Budgeting for Your Pet
If you’re not already planning a suitable budget, this can be one of the most effective ways to ensure you can afford all the different costs involved. You’ll need to be realistic about this and work out how much you have left over after all of your essential outgoings. List all anticipated costs, such as food, grooming, routine veterinary visits, and your insurance premium. It can be beneficial to track these expenses over several months too as then you can adjust your budget more accurately based on actual spending.
One thing you may want to do is consider where you can make cost savings without compromising on quality. Buying pet supplies in bulk, such as food or litter, can offer substantial savings. Keep an eye out for sales or loyalty programs at pet stores, and consider generic brands that provide the same nutritional value at a lower cost. As per the Blue Cross, a high price tag doesn’t necessarily mean that you’re getting the best food. If looking at cheaper brands, make sure they are labelled as ‘complete’ and approved by the Food Standards Agency (FSA).
Another area to save is grooming – many pet owners learn some basic grooming skills to manage their pets’ needs at home, saving on professional grooming costs. Saving into a pet emergency fund can also be a good idea, as this can alleviate the financial pressure when unexpected costs start to rise. A proactive approach ensures you can afford any necessary treatments without the stress of finding funds at the last minute, but this is where insurance comes into its own.
Importance of Pet Insurance
As you may have realised by now, the costs can quickly add up over time when it comes to looking after your pet. One of the most effective ways to help manage this so that you don’t have to just rely on savings is having pet insurance. This way you won’t have to worry about not being able to afford treatment in the event your pet becomes ill or injured. Having a good pet insurance policy can safeguard your finances, ensuring your pet receives lifetime care. Insurance providers such as Petsure can help cover a significant portion of veterinary costs, as well as most pre-existing medical conditions, so comparing different available options is a good idea.
As not all providers are equal, it’s important to not go for the cheapest policy possible as you may be restricted with lower cover limits and even your pet’s age if they are older. Accidents, illnesses, or chronic conditions, can be expensive otherwise, meaning you would have to pay more out of pocket without the right policy.
Be sure to compare your options and choose a policy that covers your pet’s individual needs. The breed, age, and any existing health conditions of your pet need consideration, for instance, some breeds are predisposed to certain genetic conditions and may benefit from a policy that covers lifetime help for these issues. Knowing that you’re prepared for unexpected expenses related to your pet’s health and well-being provides peace of mind and avoids having to make a difficult decision if say you can’t afford the care they need. Find a policy that fits your budget comfortably and makes it easy to claim when you need to.
Don’t Underestimate The Costs – Plan Ahead!
Planning the financial aspects isn’t the most exciting of tasks when it comes to pet ownership, but it will make looking after your pets so much more harmonious – plus you’ll have peace of mind you can cover anything unexpected that crops up.
Take the time to understand the costs specific to the type of pet you have and be sure to compare pet insurance policies to find the best fit for your budget and their well-being. In the long term, you can ensure a happy, healthy life for your pet, all whilst knowing that you are prepared for whatever may come your way.
