There’s no doubt about it, things are getting harder. Prices are shooting up everywhere, as the cost of living crisis affects everything from fuel to clothing to food. The knock-on effect of these increases is enormous.
The crisis has caused many pet owners to feel a sense of panic – unsure how they will pay for food, vet care, and insurance for their pets.
A recent YouGov survey of more than 4,000 UK adults found that 78% of pet owners think the cost of living will impact their animals. A further 68% expressed concern that the cost of care was increasing, and nearly 20% said they were worried about affording to feed their pets.
Creeping prices may already have been impacting pet owners. The RSPCA said that it received 3,644 calls in 2021 from owners asking for help with vet bills, a 12% increase on the year before.
There have also been worrying reports of owners giving up their pets because of unaffordability.
Abandonments have increased 30% over the winter period, with the summer likely to see a further increase.
Pets are a considerable financial commitment, but they give so much back in love, affection, and companionship. They can be vital in maintaining our own independence, health, and happiness.
So, what practical steps can pet owners take to weather the cost of living crisis? Here are some helpful tips to consider:
1. Prevention better than the cure
Making sure you’re up to date with your pet’s preventative health care can help to keep your pet in good physical condition.
Administering worm and flea treatments, keeping vaccinations up to date, and attending regular check-ups are essential in maintaining overall health and wellbeing. There is plenty owners can do at home too; ensuring pets have adequate and appropriate exercise, maintaining a healthy weight, and keeping on top of dental care are all important in keeping your furry friend tip-top.
If you want to make managing routine treatments easier, why not consider joining our Pet Plan? You can cover your rabbit for £8 per month, cats for £11 per month, and dogs from £13 per month. All our premium health club members also receive a 10% discount off all our services.
If you’re interested in joining our Pet Plan, or would like to find out more, please speak to our friendly team.
2. Manage vet bills with ease
People need to be sure that they are able to meet the financial costs and responsibility of caring for an animal, including vet bills and insurance, before taking on the onus of a pet.
Making sure you have adequate and appropriate pet insurance in place can give you peace of mind. If your pet becomes ill or requires costly treatment, you will be in a much better position to handle the bills.
The world of pet insurance can be something of a minefield, with numerous types of insurance policies offered by multiple companies. Our team are always on hand to guide clients and help them choose the right policy for them.
To find out more about pet insurance, or to understand the complexities of the different policies available, please speak to one of our veterinary team.
3. Cut down on sitter costs
Pet sitter fees can be expensive.
To get around these prices, why not try and arrange for family and friends to care for your animals while you’re away? Or organise a pet-sitting group amongst neighbours to take turns minding each other’s pets? Getting organised this way can also help you to save massively on pricey kennel and cattery fees.
4. Spay or neuter your pet
Having your pet neutered can reduce the risk of certain diseases and remove the possibility of unwanted pregnancies. The outlay for a neutering procedure if often far out weighted by the health benefits, for the procedure costs will certainly pay off in the long term.
If you would like to discuss neutering for your animal, please have a chat with your vet to talk through the options available.
5. Shop second hand
The average annual costs of caring for a dog are estimated to be around £1800. For cats, it’s £1000. Many of these costs can be non-negotiable and hard to save on, but there are still huge savings to be made.
Many items can be sourced second-hand by shopping around, like pet beds, toys, and carriers. Make sure to check second hand sites – there’s no need to fork out huge amounts for brand-new products.
