If planning to get a new pet, it’s a good idea to make sure you know the full cost of looking after the animal.  You may well have already researched it, but in case you would like a few extra pointers, we have written a short guide to help you.  Remember it’s always good to do your own research, especially if you have a more unusual pet than the ones listed below.

Pooches

Man’s best friend is a great choice for a pet; loyal, loving and charismatic, but watch out for that insatiable appetite!  You can feed a dog tinned meat or dry food, and of course biscuits as a treat, and this will roughly amount to £15-£20 per month.  As a dog owner you will also need to buy a dog bed, lead, collar and toys, and this can be anywhere around or above the £100 mark.  Dogs require treatment for worming at a cost of around £10 every 3 months, and any young puppy will need to be vaccinated against viruses and diseases such as leptospirosis, hepatitis and parainfluenza, and these can cost around £100, plus annual boosters that will set you back somewhere in the region of £50.  You also need to consider spaying or neutering, costing anywhere between £60 and £180, and if you are interested in microchipping then it will be around £20.  Don’t forget to factor in pet insurance, so that your dog has vet fees covered in case of an accident or illness.

Moggies

Cute little kitties may seem fairly independent, but they still need a home, food, treatment and lots of strokes!  Whilst the strokes don’t cost anything, everything else does, and you will be looking at £15-£20 per month for food alone, as well as at least £80-£100 up front to cover a litter tray, cat flap, collar and toys.  Cat litter costs around £5-£10 per month, and don’t forget worming, at around £10 every quarter, and flea treatment, costing roughly £5 per month.  Neutering or spaying is worth considering, and costs between £40 and £50, whilst microchipping will be in the region of £15.  Aside from these costs, it is also important to consider pet insurance to cover vet fees, which could otherwise work out very expensive, and the cost of this will vary depending on the provider and benefits.

Dobbins

Having a happy horse means having a lighter wallet, but it’s worth it to provide quality care for such a magnificent animal.  If you are interested in owning a horse then you should be aware of the large expense involved; the purchase price alone would be at least £2,000-£5,000 for a happy hacker, whereas a rider looking to purchase for more professional reasons such as show jumping or dressage could be looking at anywhere upwards of £8,000.  You will also need to house the animal, and unless you have your own land and stables then you will be looking at livery costs.  You can choose grass livery, part livery, DIY livery or full livery, depending on how much graft you are prepared to put in yourself!  If you choose full livery then you relieve yourself of much of the work, but the cost will be very high.  Full livery would normally include hay, straw and shavings, but other options do not, so you would have to fund these essentials.  There is also feed to consider, as a well as worming, dentist work and a farrier for regular hoof care.  It is very difficult to put a specific price on the annual cost of keeping a horse, but it can easily reach five figures so make sure that you have the financial resources to provide the proper care, and don’t forget about equine insurance!

Four-legged Fluffies

The great thing about caring for cute cuddlies like guinea pigs, hamsters and rabbits is that they are easy and cheap to keep.  They are lively, low-maintenance animals that love a good home, and they are happy with a little exercise, some food and water, plenty of space and lots of cuddles.  Purchase price will vary, with hamsters costing anywhere around £5-£6 whilst rabbits can cost £30, and guinea pigs are somewhere in between.  You will need an animal residence; £20 for a hamster home, or anything around £200 for a rabbit hutch, and you need to buy some toys and playthings to keep them entertained.  You will need to regularly buy food of course; most pet stores will sell muesli or food pellets specifically designed for your new fluffy friend.  Neutering or spaying should be around £50, and remember to take into account weekly or monthly purchases of hay and bedding.  If you are looking for pet insurance, you may find it difficult for hamsters or guinea pigs, but rabbit insurance is marginally more common.  They are all generally hardy animals, but keep a close eye on them and do a bit of research to learn signs of illness or injury.  Most importantly, take good care of them and keep them happy!