Pet Cost Calculator

How much does it really cost to own a dog, cat, or rabbit in the UK? Get a full cost breakdown — food, insurance, vet bills, grooming, boarding, and more — plus lifetime cost estimates based on PDSA and RSPCA data.

Annual dog cost

£1,950

Covers unexpected vet bills. Average: £32/mo for dogs, £7/mo for cats

Salon grooming every 6-8 weeks

When you go on holiday

Professional dog walker during work hours

Data sources

Costs based on PDSA PAW Report 2024, RSPCA pet calculator, WeCovr 2026 guide, and Agria Pet Insurance data. Actual costs vary by breed, location, and individual pet health.

Annual dog cost

£1,950

£163/month · £5/day

Lifetime cost

£24,000

12 year lifespan

First year total

£2,550

inc. £600 setup

Annual cost breakdown

🍖 Food£720/yr(37%)
🛡️ Insurance£390/yr(20%)
🩺 Vet & health£300/yr(15%)
✂️ Grooming£300/yr(15%)
🧸 Toys & accessories£180/yr(9%)
🗑️ Poo bags & waste£60/yr(3%)

🐕 £1,950/year is equivalent to 557 coffees or £163/month — about £37/week.

Verdict: Typical UK dog owner spending. A solid budget that covers the essentials well.

A medium dog typically lives 12 years. Over that time, you'd spend approximately £24,000 — and that's excluding the cost of buying the {pet}, emergency vet bills, prescription diets, or home damage. The real total is often 20-30% higher.