There’s nothing quite like having a dog. They are great company, a loyal friend and a loving companion.
But dogs cost money.
We saw sales of dogs go through the roof during lockdown and saw them selling for silly money online.
Now lockdown is over and everyday living costs are increasing, people are struggling to cope with feeding their furry friends.
So how much does a dog cost to keep? How much should you plan on spending over its lifetime?
How much does a dog cost to keep?
I’ll ignore purchase cost as that’s a variable I have no control over or full knowledge of.
Travel anywhere in the country and prices vary hugely depending on the location and the breed.
If you’re looking for a dog, perhaps adopting one would be the best option. You get to give a dog a new home, help the many charitable organisations that help dogs and will pay a lot less for the privilege!
According to the PDSA, it costs up to £12,000 to keep a dog over its lifetime.
They say it costs:
- Small dog breeds: At least £5,000 – £9,600
- Medium dog breeds: At least £6,600 – £10,400
- Large dog breeds: At least £5,400 – £12,200
These are minimum averages. Owners who want their dog to have a happy and healthy life should expect to spend at least that amount on their companion.
This cost doesn’t cover pet insurance either. Given that British vets are now just as bad as American healthcare for charges, insurance is unfortunately essential.
Factor in anywhere from £10 up to £65 per month for pet insurance. The older the pet, the higher the premium.
Cost breakdown of dog ownership
Dogs are so much more than an expense and it’s not really fair to equate their value to pure cost.
Yet the economic reality right now is that some people have to.
When you come up against the decision of whether to rehome a dog or feed the children, it’s not even a choice.
That’s why I think it’s vital that everyone fully understands just how much having a dog costs.
They are amazing companions and enrich our lives beyond measure. But, if times are tight, perhaps now isn’t the time to get one.
So what costs do you need to factor into dog ownership?
I’ll use that PDSA data for this as it reflects my own experience.
Initial setup costs for bedding, bowls, leads, toys and vaccinations:
- Small dog breeds: £383
- Medium dog breeds: £436
- Large dog breeds: £494
This is an estimate based on average prices for products and for vet care.
Even if you stick to the basics, you’ll still need injections, neutering, a few toys, a good collar, food and a range of other things.
Monthly cost of owning a dog
If you need to break down the cost of owning a dog over a month, we can do that.
Again, thanks to the PDSA, we know that an estimated monthly cost to own a dog is:
- Small dog: £54
- Medium dog: £61
- Large dog: £75
That reflects my own experience of owning a large dog.
That cost includes food, insurance, boosters and vet checks, flea and worm treatment, poo bags and toys.
The calculation includes average dog food and not fresh meat or premium brands. Many premium pet food brands are largely a waste of money anyway. They are typically designed to appeal to the owner, not the dog.
Vegan dog food anyone?
Use a good quality dog food and you shouldn’t need to spend too much.
A dog will only need a booster and vet check once a year (hopefully), but the rest you’ll need every week or month.
If you want to factor in treats, a dog walker or doggy day care, toys or other good stuff for your dog, you’ll need to add that to the monthly cost.
As I said at the top, the true value of having a dog in the family cannot really be given a quantitative value.
But, in these times, when every penny really does count, it’s useful to know just how much you’re in for if you’re considering getting a dog.
These amounts are just minimal averages and will increase over time thanks to inflation. If you don’t have that kind of money to spare, please think very carefully about whether to get a dog or not.
