Can you afford a pandemic pet?

If you’re thinking about welcoming a pet into your home, there are some costs you’ll need to factor into your budget.

Did you know that Australia has one of the highest rates of pet ownership in the world? And it shouldn’t come as a surprise that the pandemic has prompted even more Australians to bring a pet into their home.

According to Animal Medicines Australia’s Pets and the Pandemic study, 69% of households now own a pet, with almost 50% owning at least one dog and 30% owning a cat. That’s an estimated 30.4 million pets, compared to approximately 28.5 million in 2019.

If you’re considering adding a furry friend to your family, it’s important to not only consider the time and responsibility involved in having a pet, but the cost.

A puppy is for life, not just for a pandemic, after all.

Australia’s most popular dog breeds and how much they cost

Firstly, let’s look at the upfront costs of purchasing some of Australia’s most popular dog and cat breeds.

According to Australia’s largest pet insurer, PetSure Australia, the Cavoodle (a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel crossed with a Toy Poodle) is the most popular breed of dog for 2021, and can cost anywhere between $2,500-$5,000.

That’s followed by French Bulldog at between $3,500-$4,000; Golden Retriever at $3,000-$3,500; Miniature Daschund at approximately $2,000 and Border Collie at $1,300-$4,500.

With each breed it’s important to consider any additional needs they might have. For example, Cavoodles and Frenchies can be prone to skin and ear problems including allergies, and breeds with curly or long coats such as Golden Retrievers also require regular maintenance, so expect frequent trips to the grooming salon with these breeds.

The cost of owning a dog is typically highest in the first year, due to the costs of vaccinations and desexing. Finder estimates it at $3,000 in the first year, followed by $1,500 every subsequent year.

Cats are generally less expensive to purchase and to take care of, with the RSPCA estimating the average costs of owning a cat to be around $1,150 to $3,500 in the first year and around $880 each year after that.

Domestic shorthair cats, the most popular in Australia, can be purchased for around $200, the Ragdoll will set you back between $1,800-$2,600, the British shorthair and the Burmese cost in the region of $1,200-$2,000, while the Maine Coon costs between $1,000-$3,000.

How humm can help with pet costs

With any pet, you can expect regular expenses such as food, toys, treats, worm and flea treatment, health check-ups and grooming, depending on the breed. And in the unfortunate event of your furry friend taking ill, pet owners need to be financially prepared.

It’s important to plan ahead and budget to prepare for both the expected and unexpected costs. Buy now, pay later can be a helpful tool in managing your pet budget. Humm partners with numerous pet stores and veterinary clinics around the country to meet the needs of pet owners.

To make it work, find pet services near you now on humm.