What does a pet cost a year?
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a year
The starting figures follow the PDSA’s 2024 estimate of the minimum monthly cost of a dog or cat, with grooming and pet sitting added on top. Insurance varies a lot by breed, age and where you live, so get a quote for your pet. One-off costs are the PDSA’s set-up estimate: bed, bowls, first vaccinations, microchipping, neutering and so on.
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Cost guide: budgeting for a pet
Food is only part of it
Most people budget for food and forget the rest. Insurance, flea and worm treatments, vaccinations and care while you’re away often add up to more than the food itself.
Insurance
Lifetime policies cost more each month but keep covering long-term conditions year after year. Cheaper policies may stop paying for a condition after 12 months or a set amount. Premiums usually rise as pets get older.
Vet bills
Without insurance, an operation or emergency can cost hundreds or thousands of pounds. If you choose not to insure, set aside a monthly amount in a savings account for the vet.
Where the figures come from
The starting figures are based on the PDSA’s estimates, calculated in 2024, of what it costs to meet a pet’s basic needs: at least £69 a month for a small dog, £83 for a medium dog, £116 for a large dog and £79 for a cat. They don’t include vet bills for illness or injury, or the cost of buying the pet. See the PDSA’s guides to the cost of owning a dog and the cost of owning a cat.
Ways to save
Buy food in larger bags if your pet eats it before the use-by date, feed the right amount so nothing is wasted, and ask your vet about a health plan that spreads routine treatment into monthly payments.