How Much Do Your Pets Cost You?

At the moment, I've got a cat which has had an op twice for a luxating patella. Currently on cage rest after ripping out the internal stitches, hence the second op. So my work bonus came in and went the thing is we got her for free as was found in a car sold to be crushed. Most expensive cat I've had so far and she's only about 16 months old. Had her since she was only a few weeks old.

Our last dog cost us a fortune in vet bills but she was worth it.

Erm not too sure. £30 a month food and then annual booster jabs.

Her insurance, plan with the vets, food and treats... she probably costs about £90 a month. I don't buy her fancy food, it is the insurance and vet bills that cost a fortune.

Rabbits are much more costly than people think and stressful

They should have a strict diet, only need a tablespoon of pellets a day (Must be plain, no coloured pieces these foods can make rabbits really ill and it is usually too late before people realise, must be good quality hay based pellets, Science Selective or Burgess Excel are the top recommended UK brands) Maybe 10kg is £26, but that lasts a long time.

Most treats and toys sold aren't safe for them, they need lots of safe, edible toys, willow toys are great (Can cost £2-£20 each toy) and a constant supply of good quality hay should be available all the time (meadow hay, Timothy hay or a mix) Hay bales near me are the cheapest way but my bunnies are fussy and I haven't found a local farmer willing to supply any or any that they like! So That is around £11 a bale, maybe lasts a month or two with 2 bunnies, I don't count, I just replace when needed.

They should also be neutered (£60-£200) and have their yearly triple vaccine (fly strike prevention is also recommended, only 2 recommended safe products) £80

Their enclosures need to be accessible all the time, secure, weather proof and fox proof, so can be pricey, plus rabbits can live up to around 15 years, so if it's outside you may need to replace it a couple of times in their lives. If indoors it can cost a lot more, they love to chew, so you have to completely bunny proof your house, most people with house bunnies have been through a fair few phone chargers over their time, as they are more likely to accidentally get left around. They can also usually easily clear a 4ft jump, so you can't always just put things higher up

Microchipping is worth while. (Around £10 but it can cost more to update your details)

Insurance is good but you have to check what is covers, some don't cover ears, teeth or gut statis which is the 3 most common things that are likely to go wrong with a bunny.

You shouldn't just go to any vet, rabbits have complex systems, if they don't eat for 12 hours this could be deadly to them, so you have to act fast and often they don't show signs until quite late on, so you need a good rabbit savvy vet and one with an emergency vets. Out of hours can be around £180 before any consultation or treatment though.

Rabbits do not need treating regularly for worms, mites or fleas, there are also only a couple of recommended safe products for these too and you have to be careful.

Please don't buy into the expensive gut treats, they don't usually contain enough pineapple or papaya to do what they say they will, it often has more calories and sugar than needed.

Never give human foods, obviously a good amount of safe veg, herbs and weeds is great regularly, but no corn, onions, leeks, chives. You need to know your stuff

Please don't buy leads, collars or shampoos as these are not safe and bunnies shouldn't be bathed, it can kill.

I cringe when people say they are going to get their child a rabbit, they need to be in bonded pairs or groups (must be neutered and bonded correctly though) so times any cost by 2+ and they don't typically like being picked up and Please don't flip them on their backs either their hearts can stop, it's okay if they roll over themselves.

So yeah... bunnies are costly... lovely, I'm obsessed but costly... dogs are much easier

I have one cat Conker and he doesn't cost a lot to be honest but then he hasn't got any health issues yet. He is a classic moggy though not pedigree so he typically won't have as many health issues as inbred cats. I think he is quarter siamese.