The real cost of a pet

The price of buying or adopting a pet is the smallest part of what it costs. Food, vaccinations, grooming, boarding and surprise vet bills add up over many years, so it pays to do the maths before you commit.

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What the charities estimate

• In 2022 PDSA estimated the minimum lifetime cost of a cat at £11,100, based on a 14 year life expectancy.
• For a medium dog such as a Springer Spaniel, PDSA estimated £6,600 to £10,400 over a lifetime of 8.4 to 13.5 years.
• For a pair of rabbits, PDSA estimated at least £6,300 to £9,100, depending on lifespan and housing.
• PDSA says these figures cover essential welfare needs only. They exclude medical costs, dog walking, grooming and boarding, so real costs are usually higher.

Worked example: turning a lifetime into a monthly budget

• Cat: £11,100 divided by 14 years is about £793 a year. Divided by 12, that is about £66 a month, before any vet treatment.
• Medium dog, lower estimate: £6,600 divided by 8.4 years is about £786 a year, or about £65 a month.
• Compare that with your own monthly pocket money or part-time income. Could you cover it if your parents could not?
• UK prices are only a guide. Costs in the UAE and elsewhere differ, so ask a local vet clinic for its price list before you decide.

Costs people forget

• Start-up items: a carrier or crate, bowls, bedding, a lead, a scratching post, litter trays and toys.
• Regular care: vaccinations, flea and worm treatments, microchipping and neutering. The UK Competition and Markets Authority suggests comparing practices' prices for exactly these services.
• Registration: in Dubai, a 2024 Gulf News guide reported a Dh10 pet registration fee plus a Dh20 knowledge and innovation fee, plus VAT, with yearly renewal. Check current fees with Dubai Municipality.
• Holidays: a 2017 Khaleej Times report said kennel boarding in the UAE could cost up to Dh3,000 a month. Two summer months at that rate would be up to Dh6,000.
• Emergencies: the CMA notes that vet treatment is usually an estimate, not a fixed price, so keep savings or consider insurance.

Ways to keep costs sensible (without cutting welfare)

• Ask for a price list from more than one vet practice, as the CMA recommends.
• Ask whether you can get a prescription and buy medicine elsewhere; the CMA says UK owners do not always have to buy from their vet, and this can sometimes be cheaper.
• Weigh food portions against the packet guidance, as PDSA advises. Overfeeding wastes money and harms health.
• Prevent problems: keep vaccinations and parasite treatments up to date, and get advice early rather than waiting for an emergency.
• Consider adopting: rescue animals are often already vaccinated, neutered and microchipped (ask what is included).

Build a pet budget before you commit

• List monthly costs (food, litter, parasite treatment), yearly costs (vaccinations, registration renewal, check-up) and one-off costs (equipment, neutering, microchip).
• Add a holiday line: boarding or a pet sitter for the weeks you travel.
• Add an emergency fund line, even a small amount each month.
• Agree with your family who pays for what, and write it down.