The cost of dog ownership

Reviewed by Dr Jill McMaster BVM&S MBA MRCVS, Veterinary Surgeon and in-house expert at BorrowMyDoggy on 26 May 2023

If you’re thinking about becoming an owner there are quite a few things to consider before getting a dog. One main factor is cost. Dog ownership is a large financial commitment, and there are a number of costs and expenses to consider before you think about bringing Fido home.

Ivy, the Cross Breed after cooling off in the river — Ivy, the Cross Breed

The PDSA states that over their lifetime you can spend up to £30,000 on your dog, and that's before you add vet fees. But before you start getting a pen and paper out to try and crunch the numbers, our friends at Admiral have created a handy dog cost calculator. The pawsome tool works out ruffly the annual cost of your future dog and takes into account a number of different factors.

Ersa, the Whippet lying down in the local park watching the world go by — Ersa, the Whippet

It’s important to think about the following:

One-off costs: such as the purchase or adoption of a puppy or adult dog, microchipping and neutering.
Ongoing costs: this includes food, flea and worm treatment, vet bills, annual vaccinations, insurance, grooming, pet passports if you travel abroad, Kennel Club registration for a pedigree and training sessions.
Accessory costs: things like collars, leads, shampoo, brushes, comfortable bedding, feeding bowls, poo bags - the list goes on!

Daisy, the Cockapoo sat patiently in her large fleece lined bed — Daisy, the Cockapoo

Although dog ownership can be expensive, the benefits of bringing a fuzzy member into the family are huge, from reducing stress, improving physical and mental health, to increasing social interactions - they truly enrich our lives. But if you’re still uncertain about dog ownership you can also learn a lot about the responsibilities involved by joining BorrowMyDoggy. By signing up as a borrower you can help take care of local dogs, get to know a variety of different breeds and experience what dog ownership is really like.

Teddy, the West Highland Terrier puppy lying down on the sofa — Teddy, the West Highland Terrier

Whether you’re looking into dog ownership or you’re interested in being a borrower, our pawsome team are always here and happy to help if you need us. Don’t hesitate to contact us!