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A sweet West Highland Terrier enjoying a day by at the docks

The cost of dog ownership

5 May 2023

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!

Useful rehoming advice

Local dog rescue centres

Alternative to rehoming your dog

Rescue dog tips

The cost of dog ownership

How to socialise your rescue dog

Could a mixed breed or rescue dog be for you?

Rehoming

Tips for choosing a dog

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