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Questions
- The average monthly cost of a dog in the UK
- Essential monthly dog expenses
- Additional monthly costs to consider
- How to save money on dog ownership costs
- Is owning a dog affordable for you?
- Breed-specific factors
- Hidden or overlooked costs
- Money-saving tips
In this article, we’ll give you a bit of insight into the average monthly cost of owning a dog, and breakdown the factors that contribute to the overall budget. It’s important to remember that varying breed, size, age and health condition can affect this average budget, as pre-existing health conditions can result in more medical expenses, and bigger dogs eat more food! Paper and pencil at the ready? Let’s dive right in!
The average monthly cost of a dog in the UK
We’ve broken down below the minimum averages for dogs of varying sizes – actual costs vary by their breed, health and lifestyle! If you want your pooch feasting on premium surf and turf every night, these costs won’t apply to you.
We've broken this down further into categories! Remember, these are just rough estimates and can widely vary depending on the breed.
Essential monthly dog expenses
Now we’ve broken down the different things your dog needs every month, there’s a few variations within each category you must consider:
Food
Not every dog eats the same kind of food, or the same amount! The price of dog food across the UK can vary hugely, with value, premium and expert offerings all at different prices. Whether you’re parent to a chihuahua or a great dane, the size of your pooch will drastically change their portion size and also the diet they may need.
Insurance
Your dog’s insurance is definitely worth budgeting for – not only does it protect your own finances, but it helps your dog’s health. Most notably, unexpected vet bills can be expensive, and if you don’t have pet insurance, you’ll be footing the bill. Veterinary prices rise over time (like most services), so insurance helps protect you against those future cost hikes. You also can customize your dog’s insurance to work for your purse – choosing coverage levels alters the price. Conditions your dog develops before you insure them won’t be covered (which are likely to develop as they age), which is why it’s best to insure your dog whilst they are young and healthy.
Routine healthcare
Talking about healthcare, it’s not just unexpected vet bills you need to consider. There are routine healthcare costs that will crop up semi-regularly, such as annual booster vaccinations and flea, tick or worm prevention.
Toys & enrichment
Keeping your pooch mentally enriched, happy and having fun is a key part of caring for a dog. So, just like we treat ourselves for a little boost of happiness, it’s important you do the same for your dog. Toys aren’t just for fun, they’re brilliant for teaching behavioral skills, preventing boredom and subsequent destructive behaviour and for allowing you both to bond! Great value toys are available at Jollyes Pets!
Everyday essentials
Then there’s the little bits! Poo bags, dental sticks, shampoo and paw wipes – these things are essential in your pet’s everyday life, and they can quickly add up! That’s why Jollyes Pets has purse-friendly prices on everything your pooch needs.
Additional monthly costs to consider
On top of the staple monthly costs, there’s some occasional extras they may crop up! Not lifetime commitments, but definitely for a period of time (i.e. as a puppy) or every few months!
- Grooming – a professional grooming appointment. The time you can leave between each appointment depends on the breed, activity level and their coat! Book an expert groom at The Jolly Groomer from just £25!
- Dog walkers or doggy day care – if you’re in full time or part-time employment, there may be times when you need someone to keep an eye on your furry friend or give them a walk! Dog walkers have a variety of rates available, with group walks being a cheaper option averaging at £8-£12 a walk. Whilst these may be a great occasional solution, they will quickly add up if used frequently. Some walkers do offer packages that can make planning and booking onto these walks a little more affordable and convenient.
- Training classes – these are usually aimed at puppies for basic training and socializing skills, or dogs with behavioural issues, so they’re usually only needed for a period of time not usually a monthly constant! Puppy classes typically range from £15 - £25, and you can book block packages. They are definitely something to consider if you’re bringing home a new bundle of fluff, or need a hand with your mischievous fur ball!
- Special diets or supplements – if your pet has been diagnosed with a health condition, or just needs some extra nutritional support during old age, special diets and supplements have their place at points within your pet’s life. You can find breed-specific diets, and diets for stages of your pet’s life too. These can be found at great value at Jollyes!
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- Emergency savings for unexpected vet bills – just like how you’ll put money aside for your car and your home, it’s important you do the same for your pooch. Whilst your insurance is crucial at avoiding big spends on your pet’s health, you’re still required to pay an upfront voluntary fee (usually a percentage of the overall cost) if you’re needing to claim money back.
How to save money on dog ownership costs
Now you know what to expect for your monthly expenses for your dog, there’s a few ways you can save money too! Being a savvy shopper helps save a few extra pennies – we’ve listed out our top tricks below:
- Buy in bulk
Multipacks and large bags of dog food are a great way of saving – once your pooch finds a food that works for them, you can score large quantities at a reduced price.
- PetPetClub discounts & subscription services
Signing up to loyalty schemes like PetClub means you get access to members-only discounts on pet essentials! Jollyes’ subscription service Repeat & Save means you’ll never forget to order dog food ever again – and you’ll enjoy the food at a reduced price!
- Reviewing your pet’s insurance
Make sure you stay in the know with your pet’s insurance plan – knowing what you’re paying for and if it could be cheaper is important to ensure you’re paying the lowest possible price for the plan your pet needs.
- DIY toys for enrichment
Fun for your pet, fun for you to make! Save money and make your own enrichment toys for your furry friend. Hide toys in a shoe box or wrap treats in a towel so your furry investigator can sniff it out, or utilize toilet paper rolls to create your own hide & seek set up with treats.
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Is owning a dog affordable for you?
Now you have a rough idea of average monthly costs, you can put together a budget! This will help you manage your spending, and ensure you can afford to own a pooch of our own. Dogs are a long-term financial commitment, so it’s important to consider that these costs aren’t temporary. If you still think you can afford a dog, choose Jollyes for great value on pet essentials to help keep your costs down.
Breed-specific factors
We’ve mentioned how size can affect costs, but breeds can too! The breed you choose will affect your budget, as some breeds are prone to health issues or have higher activity levels! Here’s a few popular breeds that can affect your monthly costs:
- Flat-coated retrievers: prone to health issues → higher insurance.
- Poodles/doodles: regular grooming.
- Working breeds: need more enrichment/toys → higher spending.
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Hidden or overlooked costs
There’s a few hidden (or often forgotten) costs that can crop up too! Here’s a few things you should remember to consider in your budget:
- Cleaning supplies (dog hair removal, odour sprays) – your pooch will most likely be a mucky pup at times! Ensuring you have cleaning supplies to remove dog hair, their funky smells and also pet-safe household cleaning products for general cleaning.
- Travel costs (holiday kennels, pet-friendly hotels) – Whether you take your pet on a vacay or holiday without them, kennels and dog-friendly hotels are another cost to consider. Depending on how often you like a holiday, kennels can be quite expensive.
- Microchipping – It’s a legal requirement in the UK to microchip your dog. Make an appointment at the Community Pet Clinic to microchip your dog for just £20!
- Replacement of chewed/damaged items (beds, leads, shoes!) – If you’ve got a particularly active (or bored) dog on your hands, you’ll find that most things are at risk of being chewed. Consider having to replace not just their own bed or toys, but your shoes and items too.
Money-saving tips
Comparing food types
When picking your dog’s food, it’s worth considering the varying costs that come with each food type. Dependent on brands, you can typically expect to spend less feeding a dry food diet in comparison to a raw food diet.
Dry food might cost £25-£50/month.
Wet food only might run £40-£80/month.
Raw food might cost £70-£120+/month, depending on meat types and how complete/premium the raw diet is.
Shop great value and low prices on a variety of dog food at Jollyes!
Preventative healthcare
Save money long-term by investing in preventative healthcare for your pet. Particularly, for flea and worm treatment, prevention is always best.
Have a sniff around your local Jollyes store or hunt around online for more dog care essentials, including affordable pet food, toys, bedding and more. Caring for your dog doesn’t have to break the bank, and at Jollyes we believe in happy pets for less.