Owning a dog is hardly cheap, but some might not realise just how expensive of a commitment it actually is.
New research, carried out by Sainsbury's Bank, has found that on average, a dog could cost nearly £43,000 over the course of its life - with day care alone putting an owner back almost £1,500 a year.
Many who had brought a dog into their family during lockdown will now likely be at least partly office-based again, making doggy daycare an essential.
And that's hardly the only expense, with food costing as much as £508 each year and grooming costing a whopping £609 annually.
Vet bills, equipment like harnesses and toys can also add to the costs of owning a dog, which average out at £3,829 per year.
The research involved 1,001 nationally representative general consumers in the UK and 2,000 cat and dog owners.
The experts recommend taking quality pet insurance to help protect against unforeseen vet bills – shop around for the right cover for you at a price you can afford.
Other tips include:
- Consider sharing dog-sitting with friends and family where possible
- Shop around to see if you can earn rewards on your pet's food
- Consider buying second hand equipment and clothing for your pet
Jason King, Chief Customer Officer at Sainsbury's Bank has said: "We want to help make sure pet owners and would-be pet owners are aware of the cost of owning a pet, especially those experiencing challenges with the rising cost of living.
"That's why we've helped create a breakdown on how much pet owners are spending each year, and why having pet insurance is important to protect against unforeseen accident and illness costs."
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