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How much does a dog really cost in the UK?

A realistic, pounds-and-pence look at monthly, yearly, and ten-year dog ownership costs using UK pricing.

Answer one question at a time to see how your dog choice and your owner habits shape the long-term budget.

Phase 1 — The Dog

How do you want to choose your dog?

Pick the path that feels easiest. You can still adjust details later.

Step 1 of 13

How to reduce costs without cutting welfare

  • Food quality and portion size do most of the heavy lifting in monthly costs — buy for nutrition, not marketing.
  • Match insurance to your risk tolerance: lifetime cover costs more but keeps big claims predictable.
  • Bundle vet subscriptions and grooming where possible to spread costs evenly across the year.
  • Mix paid help with friends, family, or dog-sharing arrangements if your schedule is irregular.
  • Set aside a separate emergency fund for one-off vet or training expenses.

Assumptions & disclaimer

We publish the exact inputs so you can sanity check whether they fit your household.

  • Food costs scale with size and your chosen quality tier (fresh, average, breed-specific, or senior).
  • Insurance tiers reflect typical UK product types, from accident-only to higher-limit lifetime cover.
  • Parasite control assumes either a vet plan, buying direct, or treating only if symptoms appear.
  • Walking and daycare are priced per day and multiplied by 4.33 weeks per month.
  • Holiday boarding: London & South East £35/night, Rest of UK £25/night, amortised across 12 months.
  • Grooming costs depend on coat maintenance level, with larger dogs costing more per session.
  • London & South East pricing adds a 12% uplift to grooming, walking, and daycare services.
  • Miscellaneous covers bowls, bedding, leads, and replacements on a size-based baseline.

This is a planning tool, not financial advice. Prices change quickly and vary by breed, postcode, and health history. Get real quotes from vets, insurers, groomers, and walkers before committing to a dog.

Related guides

Use these to sanity-check assumptions and reduce costs.