Most dog owners expect most of their money to be spent on food. What often comes as more of a surprise is how quickly smaller, sneakier costs can mount up throughout the year.
Remember, there's routine preventative care to consider, treats, dental products, bedding replacements and last-minute orders for emergency supplies. When put together, these can take a sizeable chunk out of your household budget.
Let's look at where your money actually ends up and how to easily cut some of that cost.
Food is the biggest expense for most owners
As you may have suspected, food is likely to be the largest ongoing cost of dog ownership.
Depending on your dog's size and dietary requirements, food alone can easily costs hundreds of pounds per year. For some owners, that cost can rise significantly if their pet develops intolerances or requires a specialist diet.
Preventative care soon adds up
Another major cost? Routine health products like flea and worm treatments, dental products and any health treatments that need replacing throughout the year. Even if your dog is perfectly healthy, they'll need costly maintenance to keep it that way.
The costs many owners may not budget for
Food and treatments are only one part of the story.
Extras can quickly add up, too. Here's a list of other costs that often catch out owners:
- Treats
- Bedding replacements
- Toys
- Grooming supplies
- Calming products
- Joint supplements
These purchases often feel insignificant in the moment, but they can hit hard over the course of a year.
How much could it all cost over a year?
While costs can vary considerably between breeds, sizes and lifestyles, a typical dog owner might spend something similar to:
- Food: £360 - £660
- Treats: £120 - £240
- Flea and worm treatments: £60 -180
- Routine healthcare: £100 - 300
- Dental products and supplements: £50 - £200
- Toys, bedding and accessories: £50 - £150
Potential annual total: £740 - £1,730
These are rough figures, but you can quickly see how costs can ramp up quickly. And that's before you consider pet insurance, grooming appointments, dog walkers, kennels or any unexpected health issues.
Could a pet membership plan help?
Some retailers are beginning to introduce membership schemes aimed at owners who regularly buy pet essentials. One example would be Pet Drugs Online, whose PetSaver plan offers ongoing discounts on everyday purchases and additional savings on repeat orders with free delivery, too.
According to estimates based on typical spending patterns, owners could save roughly around £50 - £70 a year through these plans. Pet Drugs Online also has many dog essentials, so you can buy largely everything you need from them and not only save, but make delivery far more convenient.
Is a pet membership plan worth it?
It really depends on what type of pet owner you are. If you tend to shop around for one-off deals or pick things up as and when you need them, then a membership plan probably isn't worth it.
If you're buying things regularly, have more than one pet and manage ongoing health needs, costs can add up month to month. Combine modest savings on everyday purchases, with free delivery and subscription perks, and your savings will start mounting up over the year.
There's also a practical side to the membership: convenience. Regular deliveries of your essentials are guaranteed, and with Gold's priority, next-day delivery means any urgent orders can arrive at the last minute.
