1 in 5 Aussies regret getting a pet: here’s how to avoid being one of them
Key takeaways
- According to new Finder research, 1 in 5 Aussie pet owners regret bringing home a furry friend.
- Cost, mess and the time involved in caring for them were among the reasons Aussies wished they'd thought twice.
- What's next: Check out the 4 ways Aussies can make the cost of pet ownership affordable.
Have you ever looked at your pet and thought "why did I do this to myself?" You're not alone.
New Finder research has revealed that 1 in 5 Aussies regret getting a pet, highlighting a growing disconnect between expectations and the true commitment of caring for a pet.
When it came down to why Aussies had developed second thoughts, the results varied.
10% of Aussies said owning a pet made it harder for them to go on holiday, 9% said because of the mess pets can make, 7% said because of the time involved in caring for them and 9% blamed cost.
According to Finder, the average cost of owning a dog in the first year currently sits between $2,000 - $4,000.
After that, the annual cost of owning a dog drops to $1,500, which for many households is a financial commitment the cuteness factor alone can't justify.
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4 ways to hack the cost of caring for your pet
For the record, there has never been a day that I regret bringing home my puppy, Maple…okay not more than one day. And as a first time puppy mum, I was brutally shown how easy it is to overspend on your pet.
Lucky for you, I spent the big bucks so you don't have to. Here are my top 4 tips that can help keep costs low when caring for your pet.
- Buy in bulk or batch cook. Buying your pet's food in bulk from a wholesaler is an easy way to cut costs and save yourself the hassle of constant trips to the pet store. If you've got a bit of extra time on your hands, you could even go one step further and buy the ingredients yourself, cook up a big batch of your pet's meals and freeze them in portions for the week ahead.
- Rotate your pet's toys. Instead of reaching for your wallet every time your pet gets bored of their toys, try putting a few away and bringing them back out later. Chances are your pet won't remember them, and what felt old to you will feel brand new to them.
- Take grooming into your own hands. Grooming bills can sneak up on you over time. If you're happy to get your hands a little dirty, handling the basics at home, like baths, brushing and nail trims, can save you a surprisingly decent chunk of change over your pet's lifetime.
- Get pet insurance early. It might not feel urgent when you first bring a pet home, but getting insurance early can make a big difference down the track. The sooner you're covered, the less likely you are to run into issues with pre-existing conditions. If you're watching your budget, an accident-only policy is a solid starting point.
Ready to get started? Browse pet insurance on Finder and ensure your fur baby is protected with a top notch policy.
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