Cost of pets

A new puppy! The fabric of every child’s dream, and the subject of viral videos everywhere.

The pure expression of joy seen in those children may lead you to believe the most altruistic, wise and loving thing to do would be to buy every single child a new pet for the holidays.

Well, not so fast. When the blinders come off and you start to look at the costs associated with owning a pet, you may begin to think otherwise.

Costs come in the form of both time and money. Here we’ll be looking at the money side of things, but deficits in either area can lead to undue suffering for the pet. And that is the real reason it is important to understand these costs before making such a consequential purchase.

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Name	Product	Accidental Injury	Illness	Paralysis Tick Benefit	Maximum yearly benefit	Reimbursement rate	Reimbursement Rate	Maximum Yearly Benefit
Woolworths Comprehensive Cover				$1,500	$24,000	80%	80%	$24,000	Woolworths has a price beat promise for similar policies. 1 year free VetAssist gives you instant access to vets online (valued at $199). T&Cs apply.	Get quote View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Vets Choice Elite Cover				$2,500	$15,000	100%	100%	$15,000	Get a 5% discount when you insure more than one pet.	Get quote View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Coles Premium Cover				$2,500	$12,000	100%	100%	$12,000	Get 1 month free cover with promo code: 1MFREE. Ends March 31, 2021. Plus, Earn 10x Flybuys points per $1 spent on pet food at Coles Supermarkets. T&Cs apply.	Get quote View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Knose Dog Cover				$25,000	$25,000	70%, 80% or 90%	70%, 80% or 90%	$25,000	Get cover for your pet.	Get quote View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
PIA Major Medical Cover				$1,200	$15,145	80%	80%	$15,145	Get 2 months free when you sign up.	Get quote View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Bow Wow Meow Ultimate Care Plan				$3,000	$20,000	80%	80%	$20,000	Join and get 2 months free pet insurance for puppies. T&Cs apply.	Get quote View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Kogan Pet Luxury Cover				$2,000	$15,000	80% or 65%	80% or 65%	$15,000	Sign up and get $50 Kogan.com Credit. T&Cs apply.	Get quote View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
PetSecure Accident and Illness Cover				$500	$12,000	75% or 85%	75% or 85%	$12,000	Your pet is covered for life.	Get quote View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Petsy Dog accidental injury and illness cover (Vet Select)				$1,500	$25,000	100%	100%	$25,000	Enjoy 2 months free and personalised pet tag with promo code: PETSYPET. Petsy members enjoy free personalised gifts, exclusive pet discounts and perks for humans.	Get quote View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Medibank Ultimate Pet Care				$1,200	$15,000	80%	80%	$15,000	Get 15% off pet insurance for the first year. Plus, Medibank health members save 10% every year after. Use promocode SAVE15. Ends February 15. T&Cs apply*. Find out more.	Get quote View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
RSPCA Ultimate Plus Accident and Illness Cover				Up to $20,000 annual limit	$20,000	80%	80%	$20,000	Get 1 month free for the first year of new policies. T&C's apply.	Get quote View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Real Premium Accident & Illness Cover				$1,200	$12,000	80%	80%	$12,000	Get 10% of premiums back in the first 12 months.	Get quote View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Guardian Platinum Accident & Illness Cover				$1,200	$12,000	80%	80%	$12,000	No joining fee to pay.	Get quote View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Prime Sovereign Accident & Illness Cover				$1,200	$14,000	85%	85%	$14,000	With guaranteed renewal you can protect your pet for life.	Get quote View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Australian Seniors Top Accident & Illness Cover				$1,200	$12,000	80%	80%	$12,000	If you're over 50 get 10% off.	Get quote View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Guide Dogs Premium Care				$2,000	$20,000	85%	85%	$20,000	Get 1 month free pet insurance when you sign up for cover with Guide Dogs. T&Cs apply.	Get quote View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...

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How much do pets cost?

How much do dogs cost? Cats?

There are some minimum costs you can expect as a cat or dog owner. According to figures from the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA), a dog that lives 15 years will cost you a minimum of $14,579. For a cat, it’s $11,639.

The RSPCA breaks down these costs into upfront costs (the first year) and ongoing costs (the yearly costs after that).

Here’s how it breaks down:

Upfront Costs

While most people probably understand that there are a handful of upfront costs associated with owning a pet, they may not know the extent of it.

According to the RSPCA, you can expect to spend a minimum of $1,839 the first year of owning a dog and at least $1,139 for a cat.

These figures are approximate and can vary based on breed, the pet’s sex and on how much you want to spend on luxuries as the owner.

• Initial costs of owning a dog
• Initial costs of owning a cat

Ongoing Costs

The costs for basics decrease after that first year, but the outlay is still significant.

The RSPCA estimates that dog owners will spend a minimum of $910 per year for up to 20 years for each dog and a minimum of $750 for up to 20 years for each cat.

Here is how the RSPCA breaks down the minimum ongoing costs associated with pet ownership:

• Ongoing costs of owning a dog
• Ongoing costs of owning a cat

Unexpected Costs

The figures above do not include unexpected one-off events such as medical emergencies and boarding.

For example, dental diseases are very common in cats, and an extraction can cost upwards of $800. Pet insurance can help in emergencies like these, but in the case of dental, you’ll need to make sure your plan covers dental work.

Other medical issues include accidents, bacterial and viral infections, arthritis and joint problems, cancer and many other ailments.

And what if you decide to take a three-week holiday with the family, with no one available to watch the dog? The cheapest kennel we found in Sydney will set you back $26 per night (for a small dog), but prices can go upwards of $86 for more luxury stays.

Suffice it to say, it is likely that a situation will arise that will require an unexpected, and sometimes hefty, outlay of cash. If you haven’t put money aside or haven’t organised insurance for your pet, it could create a headache for you and your wallet.

Luxury Costs

OK, so you did your homework, decided you can handle the monetary outlay and bought the cat or dog. Congratulations!

But now you’ve become so attached to your furry friend that you can’t help but spoil your pet. Let’s look at some outlandish ways people are spending money on their pets and how much it is costing them.

• Do you want your furry friend to stay by your side forever, even after your pet dies? A trip to the taxidermist will set you back up to $9,000. According to a finder.com.au survey, 2% of Australians will do just that.
• Does looking after your dog make you feel like a parent? Naturally, you’ll want to fork out around $80-$300 for a pet stroller.
• Do you work in an office and feel guilty about leaving your cat at home? You can take your pet to kitty day care. For a minimum of $40 a day, your cat will get all the attention your pet deserves.
• Is your pooch a little stressed from the day-to-day grind? Maybe a spa treatment will help. The full treatment, including bath, massage, aromatherapy and blueberry facial scrub will set you back about $150.

Note that the above figures are just a guide, and your costs can vary based on the breed, gender and number of luxuries you plan to bestow upon your pet.

Ways to reduce your costs

If these prices are scaring you away from owning a pet, there are some ways you can bring these costs down. If you follow some of these tips, your dream of owning a pet (or buying one for your child) could become a reality.

• Adopt your pet. Not only will you avoid shelling out a fortune for the pet itself, but these animals have often already been desexed, vaccinated and wormed. You may have to pay a small fee for some of these medical services, but you’ll still save yourself time and money.
• Look after your pet’s health. Just like you, your pets need a good diet and plenty of exercise. Keeping your pet healthy and within an appropriate weight range will help you avoid much larger bills for preventable obesity-related issues like arthritis and joint pain.

• Don’t neglect your pet’s teeth. Good dental hygiene is important for your pet’s overall health. If your pet will let you, you can try to brush its teeth with speciality pet toothpaste, but do not use toothpaste meant for human consumption as the fluoride can be toxic to your pet. Otherwise, you can buy food and treats specially designed to clean your pet’s teeth while it chews.
• Keep your pet vaccinated. There is nothing worse than incurring a large expense for something that could have been prevented. Keeping your pet vaccinated will help you avoid these unnecessary costs.
• Get friendly with other pet owners. Other pet owners understand what it’s like to go on holiday and have nowhere to leave their pets besides overpriced kennels. You and your pet-loving friends can agree to take turns pet sitting for each other when one of you decides to go away.
• Buy food in bulk. Pet food can last a long time if stored properly, and the price usually comes down the more you buy. Invest in a quality storage container and shop around for bulk deals.
• Buy pet insurance. Even if you have maintained your pet in perfect health, there’s always the unfortunate possibility of an unexpected emergency or health issue that requires medical attention. Pet insurance will give you the peace of mind that if something like this does occur, it won’t break the bank.

What's pet insurance got to do with all of this?

If you're spending this much dosh on your pet, you might as well make sure they stick around long enough to see the benefits of it. If your pet requires life-saving surgery that costs upwards of $10,000, chances are that you might need to put precious Charlie down.

Pet insurance could cover those costs. Best of all, it could cost you as little as a pub meal each week.

We’ve broken down the cost of insurance for 560 different dog breeds. If you decide pet insurance is the best option for you, an accident and illness plan could cost you as little as $15 a week to ensure that your pet gets the best treatment and that your wallet doesn’t suffer as a result.

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