The Monthly Cost Breakdown of Owning a Dog

According to the UK veterinary charity, PDSA, the cost of dog ownership is anywhere between £6,500 to £17,000 across the course of your pet’s life. And this is only the minimum amount to ensure they have all five of their welfare needs met. In reality, the typical dog owner may spend around £33,000, with many caring owners spending even more to give their furry friends as much enrichment and comfort as possible. 

So are you really sure you’re ready to get a dog? Because a dog is for life, and that doesn’t come cheap. Here’s a breakdown estimate of what you might be spending each month.

Food

The cost of food per month for a dog can be as little as £20 per month, depending on what type of food you buy. But the truth is that a lot of cheap dog food brands don’t have enough nutrients to support a long and healthy life. The more specialist brands such as Royal Canin, James Wellbeloved, Barking Head, Arden Grange, Orijen and Purina offer benefits like grain-free recipes or being good for sensitive stomachs. Realistically, the monthly cost is anywhere between £20 to £60 per month for food, or more if you your pooch has special dietary needs.

Fleeing and worming treatment 

From two to three weeks of age, puppies need to be wormed and flead, and done so every two weeks until they reach twelve weeks of age. From twelve weeks of age, they need to be wormed and flead every month until they each six months. After that, worming and flea treatments should be administered three times a year for the rest of the dog’s life. 

You can get treatments done at the vets, or you can use tablets or spot-on formulas at home. It can cost anywhere between £15 to £40 per month. 

Toys

Having a toy allowance is important because dogs need enrichment. As pups, they learn and explore through play, and it’s important to get new toys every so often to keep their interest. While toys may not seem like a necessity when compared to things like food and medical bills, they really are vital to a dog’s wellbeing and mental development. 

Collectively, Brits spend over £1.3 billion on their pooches every month, so it’s clear that our pets are well-loved. If you love your dog, a few new toys will go a long way and will keep them happy and entertained when you’re not around. An allowance anywhere between £5 to £20 per month should be fine, but feel free to spend more as toys can always be rotated so they won’t lose their sparkle. 

Treats 

Another monthly cost to add to your list is dog treats. Not only are treats a great way to show your pets that you love them, but they are also handy when it comes to training. While food should never be used to bribe your dog, it can be good to show your dog that their best behaviour will be rewarded. 

When you reward them during their calm-submissive state, they will quickly learn that going crazy in the house and eating your shoes isn’t doing them any favours. Expect to spend around £5 to £10 a month on dog treats. 

Vet check-ups 

Depending on the age of your dog, the type of dog breed and your dog’s general health, vet check-ups can be every month (when they are puppies getting flead and wormed) or every year (when they reach adult age). A vet exam can be anywhere from £20 to £60 per visit, or you can buy pet plans that charge a monthly fee instead. 

A lot of vets now offer these health plans, costing between £12 and £26 per month. The price usually covers consultations, vaccinations, plus fleeing and worming.

Pet insurance

On top of vet costs, you will also need to get pet insurance. This is really important as it helps you cover the costs of unforeseen health problems. If your dog needs an operation or emergency treatment, insurance will have him covered. Your policy will also cover the purchase price if your pet dies due to accidental injury, and may provide third party cover if your dog damages other people’s property. 

The average annual premium for doggy insurance is £287 per year in the UK – equating to just over £23.90 per month.