According to a recent survey by a leading insurance company, it was found that a dog owner can expect to pay up to £22,500 during the dog’s lifetime and the RSPCA says about £9000 for a cat. Both the physical and mental benefits of owning a pet are well documented but especially in the current economic climate, how can we save money on pet care? Here are some ideas:

  1. Consider adopting rather than buying a new pet. Many shelters only ask for a donation and some will help with the cost of vaccinations and neutering if necessary. The National Pet Register www.nationalpetregister.org.uk  has a list of animal shelters which is a good place to start your search.
  2. Prevention is better than a cure. Don’t overfeed your pet and make sure it has enough exercise to keep bones and joints healthy. Obesity in pets can cause many chronic diseases that require lifelong medication so take advice on the correct quantity of food required for your pets breed and age.
  3. Shop around for animal medication. You don’t need to buy your prescription medicine from the vet and in most cases, exactly the same product can be found online for a fraction of the price. This also applies for worm and flea treatments  – beware of any sites that don’t ask for a copy of a valid prescription though, UK law states that every online sale of animal medicine must be accompanied with a prescription. www.vetmedsplus.co.uk is an excellent site with competitive prices and good customer service.
  4. Get some pet insurance – basic pet insurance policies are quite inexpensive but can provide some financial peace of mind should any unexpected emergencies arise. Premiums depend on the age and breed of your pet and do read the small print, as most policies don’t cover pre-existing conditions.
  5. DIY! Basic dog grooming, even nail clipping is quite easy with a bit of practice. And with dog sitters charging upwards of £15 a day, start a dog sitting circle with friends and neighbours.