Costs of buying a puppy
Visit our full guide to making sure your pet care costs are in good shape
Rehoming a pet could save you money
Animal charities like ours rehome hundreds of dogs every year looking for loving homes. We also often have puppies available, so speaking with your local centre is a great place to start. Not only will you be giving a home to a pet in need but you will also be helping free up a space for us to help another dog without a home.
Cost of rehoming a dog from us
When you adopt a dog from us, you'll pay a fee as part of the adoption process. This includes the cost of vet checks, vaccinations and neutering.
What if the dog I want isn't available in an animal charity?
With the average upfront cost being anything from £400 - £3000, buying a puppy can be expensive. However, we appreciate that you can't always get the puppy or dog you want from an animal charity. So, whichever route you decide to take when getting a puppy, it’s important you do your research and decide whether you’re ready for the commitment and whether you can afford all the costs that come with raising a pup.
Can you afford it?
It’s not just the cost of buying a new puppy that can be expensive and something you need to budget for. It’s just as important to understand how much you could end up paying for them over their lifetime. You’ll need to consider the cost of:
- food
- bed
- toys
- annual check-ups
- vaccinations
- flea and worm treatment
- dog-sitters
- pet insurance
- ill-health or emergency vet treatment
- neutering
PDSA estimate that the cost of owning a dog can range from at least £50 to £80 per month. And these costs could range from £4,600 to £30,800 over their lifetime. These figures don't include any vet fees.
How much does it cost to neuter your dog?
Neutering your dog could save you money in the long run – an accidental litter is expensive. Not to mention the health benefits of neutering your dog too.
Check with your vet as the cost of castration or spaying can vary depending on the type of dog you have. As a rough guide:
- spays cost from around £130 to £365
- castrations from around £110 to £300
Spaying usually costs more than dog castration because it involves surgery to internal organs. But it can cost more if your dog has a retained testicle (when the testicle fails to drop down into the scrotum). Larger dogs can also cost more to neuter than smaller dogs because they need more anaesthetic and the surgery will usually take longer.
