20-07-2025
Warning issued to anyone thinking of getting a puppy or cat this summer
MoneyMagpie Editor and financial expert Vicky Parry shares some seasonal money-saving hacks to keep pets healthy without a huge bill
Our pets are part of the family – but they are an added expense to the household budget. From pet insurance to vet bills and even day-to-day food and treats, the cost of owning a pet can be a financial pressure.
The good news is there are plenty of ways to reduce the costs of owning a pet this summer.
Don't be fooled by summer living
The sun makes everything seem better – and that includes the idea of getting a (or another) puppy to add to your family. If you haven't thought through getting a puppy, but your summer routine of being outside more, walking, and going on beach trips tempts you to consider a new puppy: think twice!
It's easy to think life will be really easy with a new puppy. But the summer can be misleading: it makes it easy to forget about the rainy days and long nights of autumn and winter, which will arrive just in time for a summer puppy's most crazy time: adolescence.
If you've been thinking of getting a puppy and have made plans, by all means go for it. But don't get one on a whim while you're inspired by outdoor living in the few months of the year it's possible to do in the UK. Think about how you'll cope with a young dog when bad weather, long nights, and no-annual-leave-left-til-Christmas hits.
Use monthly flea and tick subscriptions
Keep your pet healthy with monthly flea and tick medication. It's far cheaper to prevent fleas or tick-related disease than treat it. Your vet is likely to run a monthly payment scheme that includes monthly flea, tick, and wormer medication, as well as extras such as annual vaccination boosters, discounts on dental treatment and discounts on prescription food.
However, it can run quite expensive to use these plans, especially if you don't intend on using the other benefits such as nail clipping appointments or physio discounts.
There are mail-order subscriptions that can reduce the cost of monthly flea and tick medication, sent to you each month so you don't forget to renew. Check the terms and conditions, as some might lock you into an annual plan in the fine print!
However, these plans often work out much cheaper than the vet's scheme if you only want the regular medication and not the extras. Pets at Home and VetBox are examples of these schemes. ItchFlea for Cats and Dogs starts from £7.95 a month with the first month free.
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Get a tick remover
Ticks carry disease that might not show in your dog immediately – and can be very expensive to sort out. When you've taken your dog for a walk in long grass or in areas where deer are known to roam, always check them over for ticks after the walk.
You don't need to go to the vet to remove one. A tick remover tool costs less than £4 and fits in any pocket to take wherever you go. Keep an eye on any bites once removed in case a ring 'bullseye' rash appears – if this happens, take your dog to the vet.
Use vet-approved over the counter medications
Your vet is only legally allowed to recommend animal-specific medications. However, there are often human over-the-counter alternatives that are more affordable and safe to use.
Don't be scared to ask your vet for the alternatives – they're used to the question and will know what they can recommend. Never give an animal human medications without talking to your vet first.
Keep your pet cool to avoid emergencies
With two heatwaves already gone this summer, it's likely we're going to see more of them over the coming months. Overheated pets can be a medical emergency, racking up a huge vet bill that you may not have planned for. Some pet insurance may also not cover treatment for what could be argued as a preventable problem, too.
It's vital to be prepared to keep your pets cool. This might mean running a fan for them near to their bed, or investing in a cooling mat. Ensure they always have access to water – lots of people like to pop ice cubes in the bowl to keep it nice and cold, too. If you have an outside space, splash pads or kids' paddling pools offer cheap and effective cooling.
Choose ice and cooling toys, too. You can freeze some chicken broth in an ice cube tray for a salty delicious cool treat, or get a reusable freezable toy to keep them cool while they chew.
You may also wish to consider investing in a portable air conditioning unit to keep your bedroom cool at night. This will ensure your pet stays cool too, and that means a better night's sleep, which is good for everyone's health.
While it's an investment, if you look for one with a dehumidifier function, like the S1 Pro Personal Air Conditioner by Morphy Richards, it'll be useful all year around as the dehumidifier can help reduce damp in the winter time, making the investment more valuable.
Never, ever leave your pet in a locked car in the summer, even for a few minutes. Heat exhaustion can strike much faster than you think!
Take your pet on holiday
If you're going away in the UK, consider taking your pet with you. Not only will you be able to create some wonderful family memories together, it can save a lot on kennel boarding or pet sitting costs.
While some accommodation options will include a pet fee, this will be cheaper than other options like kennels. But if you've already booked non-pet approved accommodation, or you're heading abroad, look at alternative options to expensive boarding kennels.
House sitters can look after your home and pet at the same time, and many people will do it for free (and expenses) because it gives them a small holiday from home, too. TrustedHouseSitters is a reputable site to find someone to look after your pet without extortionate costs.
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