How much does a pet cost per year?
clear numbers, no fuss
Choose a species and your spending level: the calculator estimates a yearly range, item by item — food, routine healthcare, litter, accessories — with insurance, boarding and grooming as options. UK prices, in pounds. Everything is calculated on your device, with no account and nothing sent.
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UK benchmarks for 2026, excluding unexpected vet bills. Prices vary by region — expect 20 to 30% more in London and large cities — and by animal.
How this estimate is built
Each species has its own list of costs (food, routine healthcare, litter or substrate, accessories), based on UK price ranges from animal charities, vet price surveys and insurers. The spending level applies a factor to these items:
- Budget: 25% below the standard level.
- Standard: the reference range, the most common.
- Comfort: 50% above (premium food, extra vet checks).
Options (insurance, boarding, grooming) are added with their own ranges. One-off costs — accidents, surgery, hospital stays — are not included: that is exactly what an emergency fund or pet insurance is for. Rabbits and guinea pigs are costed as a pair, as UK welfare charities recommend.
Pet costs: straight answers
How much does a dog cost per year in the UK?
About £490 to £1,130 a year for a small dog, £630 to £1,450 for a medium dog and £890 to £1,950 for a large dog, before insurance, boarding and grooming. Food is usually the biggest single item.
How much does a cat cost per year?
About £620 to £1,380 a year in day-to-day costs: food, litter, routine healthcare and accessories. Pet insurance adds roughly £150 to £350 a year.
What is the cheapest pet to keep?
Small rodents and small birds have the lowest yearly budgets, often £150 to £500 a year. Their starter equipment still costs something, and an exotic vet visit can be expensive.
Do these estimates replace a quote?
No: they are UK benchmarks for 2026, which vary by region, animal and your own choices. They help you anticipate an order of magnitude before adopting.
Keep exploring
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Instructions for your pet sitter
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Sources and benchmarks
MyArk editorial ranges for the UK (2026), built from these published figures:
From the estimate to everyday life
MyArk brings together the log, health record and reminders of all your pets on every iPhone in the household. Free, no account needed.