What is the true cost of pet ownership in Ireland?
In a survey conducted by Agria, more than 800 pet owners were asked about the costs of owning their pets.
According to the results, 57% of dog owners reported an average monthly expense of under €100, while 31% stated they pay between €100 and €199 monthly.
Monthly costs for owning a dog can include food, grooming, insurance, routine care such as worming and flea treatments, and more.
Among cat owners, 63% reported spending less than €100 per month, with 28% indicating monthly expenses between €100 and €199.
Monthly costs for owning a cat can include food, cat litter, insurance, routine care such as worming and flea treatments, and more.
The cost of caring for a dog vs a cat can differ greatly when it comes to food, veterinary care and grooming care.
Due to the difference in size, cats consume smaller portions than most dog breeds, leading to lower food expenses. Cats may also require fewer veterinarian visits, for example, if a cat is purely an indoor pet, routine veterinary care will be reduced. In comparison, dogs venturing outside more often may require monthly parasite control, annual vaccinations including kennel cough, and regular grooming.
The survey also found that 11% of dog owners and 9% of cat owners spend over €200 per month. Higher expenses may arise due to treatment for ongoing illness, specialised diet food requirements, grooming or the age of the Pet.
“Pet ownership expenses fluctuate throughout the pet's life cycle. Early stages often incur additional expenses for puppy training courses, full vaccination courses, neutering and essential equipment like beds, carriers, leashes, and food bowls. As pets age, there's a greater likelihood of increased vet visits, medication, and other age-related expenses.” explains Robin Hargreaves, Head Vet at Agria Pet Insurance.
About the survey
The online survey was conducted by the research company Xtreme on behalf of Agria in November 2023, gathering responses from 847 dog and cat owners.
