How to Avoid Overspending When You’ve Got A Dog

As a nation of pet lovers, here in Britain we devote a great deal of time and money into looking after our pets. While the love for our pets is priceless, it’s important to budget for any unplanned pet expenses to ensure their welfare isn’t compromised.

According to statistics released from a Blue Cross survey in 2011, 26 million pet owners in Britain spend approximately £14.9 million a year to care for their pet, with the average cost of owning a dog is around £1,183 per year. Therefore, our expert team at Jaycliffe Kennels & Cattery have put together a list of top tips on how to avoid overspending on your beloved dog, so you know what to prioritise for when budgeting.

1. Damaged/destroyed items

While this is not specifically aimed at dogs, it’s important to be prepared for the fact that your pet is likely going to make a mess of your home, no matter how hard you try. It’s part of them becoming familiar with their surroundings, so expect to replace a few things along the way. This is the perfect opportunity to spend some bonding time with your pet pooch to train them on what items they are not allowed to play with.

2. Spoiling your dog

Although most dog owners are guilty of spoiling their pet, in most cases it’s completely unnecessary. While you stand in the middle of the pet store trying to justify why you should switch to the more expensive dog food, take a second to think about whether your dog will even notice the difference.

It’s also easy to shell out a hefty sum on highly priced pet toys or equipment without actually considering whether your pet really needs them. While it’s extremely beneficial for the welfare and health of your dog to keep them entertained, it’s important not to spoil them.

3. Vet bills

We cannot stress enough how important it is to set some money aside in case of an emergency. Vet bills can be very expensive so it’s important to prepare for the possibility of having to shell out a hefty sum by budgeting for emergency care, medication or surgery.

Taking your dog for regular vet check-ups can help you avoid finding something further down the line which may be rather costly to treat.

4. Pet insurance

Paying a small sum each month for pet insurance will ensure that your pet is sufficiently covered in the event of an emergency. It’s important to take the time to research your options extensively so you can find the right policy for your pet. Factors to consider when choosing a policy include:

  • Excess charge
  • Time limit on how long you can claim for each illness
  • ‘Cut off’ age; you must make sure your pet is covered during their entire lifetime
  • Most insurers won’t insure your pet for any pre-existing medical conditions
  • If you have more than one pet, you can pay for combined pet insurance policies

5. Vaccinations

When making an insurance claim, you may find that it is jeopardised if you have not kept your dog’s routine jabs up to date. Make sure that you receive the relevant certificates when taking your dog to the vet for their vaccinations, as you may need to provide evidence to the insurance company.

To find out which injections your dog needs and when, take a look at our previous article titled ‘What vaccinations does my dog need?’, or check out the RSPCA website for a detailed guide.

Jaycliffe Kennels & Cattery

With a wealth of experience in the industry, our experts at Jaycliffe Kennels & Cattery provide clean, affordable kennels for dogs of all sizes, ages, needs, breeds and diets. Run by trained, caring staff, we offer a safe, secure place for your dog to stay. We are dedicated to making sure your dog’s stay is as enjoyable as possible, which is why we offer:

  • Entertainment
  • Exercise
  • Dog walking
  • Socialisation

We do ask that all boarding animals are vaccinated and current vaccination certificates must be presented before booking your pet into our kennels. For further information or to book an appointment, don’t hesitate to get in touch with our friendly team today.