When we got our tabby cat, Cobweb, he was the perfect low-maintenance, inexpensive pet. My husband and I were happily able to leave it (rocking pigeons and sleeping) when we went out for work, and our family lived close enough to come in when we went on vacation. Fast forward 16 years and our moggy has become high maintenance, and generally much more expensive.
After Spider Web’s impressive weight loss two years ago, we feared the worst. As this is a treatable disease, it was very exciting when the vet found out that he had feline diabetes. But even more shocking than the news that we had to start giving insulin injections twice a day were the eye-watering veterinary bills.
They came together quickly, which didn’t help because we had unknowingly let our pet insurance expire (even though our basic policy covered a chronic condition like diabetes). Since then we have spent over £1,000 on insulin alone, not to mention needles and sharps for their safety.
It is safe to say that spider webs are a major factor in expensive experiments to monitor blood sugar levels and are now a very expensive pet. We equally spent a family holiday abroad on the treatment. And don’t get me started on the expensive toilet “incident” on the expensive pink velvet sofa.
Of course, Cobweb is a much-loved member of the family and there was no question that he would go without the care he needed. Research shows that even in the midst of a cost-of-living crisis, we’re not alone when it comes to pet care.
Dedicated owners
A fifth of us are cutting back on our weekly food shop to feed our pets, according to new research by charity PDSA. The charity also found that 770,000 owners are involuntarily canceling or not going on holiday to care for their pets.
PDSA vet Lyn James said: “Everyone wants the best for their pets and it’s heartbreaking to hear the lengths loving owners will go to at a time when living costs are so high that they can continue to provide what they need.”
First, she suggests, it’s important to ask yourself if you can afford a pet before buying one.
According to the PDSA, the average cat costs an owner at least £11,100 to care for over its lifetime, while caring for a dog costs at least £12,200.
Anna McEntee, pet insurance expert at Comparethemarket, says: “When it comes to your pet, it’s always important to think about the future, because pets can develop long-term chronic diseases over time, just like people.”
But the jury is out on whether pet insurance is worth the money — a lifetime policy is the only way to ensure your pet is covered if they develop a chronic or long-term illness in the future. But the premiums for such policies can be much higher than for an accident-only policy – and if your pet lives to a ripe, healthy old age, you’ll probably end up paying more than you get back. But it’s important to keep in mind that if your pet develops a chronic condition such as diabetes or arthritis before you get lifetime coverage, it may not be covered for that condition later on.
Emergency funds
There is a debate about “self insurance” – setting up a fund that you regularly contribute to for pet emergencies – which is probably a good option if you think you have the financial discipline to set aside money each month.
If you’re feeling pinched, there are plenty of other ways to save money without compromising your pet’s safety. Pet food is one of the biggest expenses for pet owners, with 38 percent of pet owners switching to a cheaper brand after the cost of living, according to pet rehoming site Pets4Homes.
Hannah Matthewman, 29, saves on pet food as a member of the VIP Members Club from Manchester Pet Member Home and uses the monthly discount codes to buy Twix for her dachshund. The cat buys cat food from Amazon and Tesco because they are too cheap for the brand she likes, Caramel.
“We insure both animals, and we pay for both pet plans, which cover regular health checks and nail trimmings,” she says.
Hannah, head of brand and marketing, says: “I don’t do doggie daycare, but the company I work for, Embryo, has dog-friendly offices, so she asked me to work for her. “I also have sisters and friends with dogs nearby, so we house each other, so the dogs get to see each other without the expense of day care.”
Doggy day care can quickly add up if you work outside the home full-time – the average price for Admiral Pet Insurance dog sitters is £3,456 a year, although this varies depending on where you live.
So it’s no wonder that “pet sharing” is on the rise, according to data from John Lewis Finance, with one in five teaming up with friends to share a dog. Mother-in-law Diane, Janet and Bonnie Staplehurst all own the Mallship Bab.
Bonnie says: “Money out seems to be naturally effective. We each buy our own food, treats and toys – which comes to around £25 a month – but we split some costs in terms of big ticket items. After my last dog passed I really missed the company but knew I couldn’t take care of a new one on my own. Dee and Janet were very keen to share Bab with me, which was the perfect solution and meant we would enjoy all the benefits of having a dog, but share the responsibility and costs.
How to save money on your pets
Cost-effective pet food options include buying in bulk online or signing up for a loyalty program that offers cash back. Failing that, get in touch with your local butcher and you’ll find your pocket the lucky beneficiary of free or very little scraps and bones.
“If you don’t have enough money to pamper your cat with good treats and gifts, please don’t think you’re a bad cat owner,” says Doron Wolfberg, founder of Cats.com.
“Spring for organic meats and treats if you can, but if you can’t, remember that non-organic species-appropriate foods are far better than organic food that doesn’t meet your cat’s carnivore needs.”
For large cats or indoor cats that no longer venture outside, litter costs can add up quickly.
“One of the most cost-effective litter box solutions is to swap out traditional litter for wood stove pellets – also sold as horse barn bedding. These sawdust pellets are super attractive and seem to work just like the popular pine cat litter brands.
“The best part is they cost a fraction of the cost of traditional cat litter,” says Wolfberg.
The cost of treating cobwebs would be much lower if we realized that we could just order insulin and syringes from the vet’s pharmacy.
Pet owners are required to obtain a prescription (usually for a small fee) to allow them to bring their own medications. Before you buy, look for UK-based companies with a clear delivery policy registered with the Veterinary Directorate’s Accredited Internet Retailer scheme, vmd.defra.gov.uk.
If you’re really struggling to pay for your pet’s expenses, ask your vet about payment plans that can help spread the cost.
Last year, PDSA provided treatment to more than 390,000 pet owners who struggled to pay for their pets.
There is an eligibility check on their website which will tell you whether you are eligible for help – visit pdsa.org.uk for details.