What a dog really costs
The price of the puppy is the smallest part. Over a dog’s life, the monthly costs add up to far more: insurance, food and care while you’re out usually make up most of it.
Two-thirds of pet owners say they couldn’t pay for unexpected surgery, according to the PDSA. That’s why insurance is the cost not to cut.
Typical vet prices
These come from one published UK vet price list (October 2026). Prices vary a lot between practices: compare a quote with five published price lists. Since the competition regulator’s 2026 vet review, practices have to publish their prices.
| Puppy vaccination course | £99 |
|---|---|
| Yearly booster | £69 |
| Kennel cough vaccine | £45 |
| Neutering a boy, under 10kg | £250 |
| Spaying a girl, under 10kg | £335 |
| Vet consultation | £59 |
Sort insurance before you collect your puppy
Breeders often give 4 weeks’ free cover. Anything that shows up in those weeks can be left out by a new insurer, so compare lifetime cover now.
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Worked example
Priya buys Bella, a small cavapoo puppy, for £1,500. Bella goes to a sitter 3 days a week while Priya works.
| Bella and her kit | £1,800 |
|---|---|
| Vaccinations, spay and training | £599 |
| Insurance, food and flea treatment (12 months) | £696 |
| Sitter: £90 a week | £4,680 |
| Grooming, holidays and small vet bills | £603 |
| Bella’s first year | £8,378 |
The sitter is more than half the cost. Without it, Bella’s first year would be about £3,700.
Questions
Is a rescue dog cheaper?
Usually, yes. Adoption fees are lower than breeders’ prices, and most rescues vaccinate, microchip and neuter dogs before rehoming them. The monthly costs are the same.
Why is insurance so expensive?
Vet bills have risen sharply. The average pet insurance claim was £685 in 2024, and surgery can cost thousands. Premiums also go up as your dog gets older.
Can I cut the cost?
Yes: ask your vet for a written prescription and buy medicines online, compare vet price lists, join your vet’s health plan if it covers what you’d pay for anyway, and buy kit second-hand. Don’t cut insurance.