Our Best Pets-timate

We surveyed owners to find out about their pet insurance

44% said they didn’t have pet insurance, leaving them and their pet at risk of high vet costs.
39% were put off by the cost but over half also said they’d had to pay a one-off vet fee, often higher than insurance.
59% of those with pet insurance said it was worth the money, and helped them avoid hefty vet bills.

^{*All statistics on this page are taken from a survey conducted by Opinium Research on behalf of Tesco Insurance. Sample was 2,000 UK pet owners (aged 18+). Fieldwork was undertaken 4-9 March 2022.}

The cost of missing out on pet insurance

The cost of owning a dog or cat includes everything from food and toys to routine vet visits or one-off emergencies. We found that the average cost of an unexpected vet bill was £392.90*.

Find out more about pet insurance and how it can help.

How the cost of living squeeze has affected pet owners

49% of dog owners and 36% of cat owners have cut how much they spend on their pet due to the rising cost of living.
17% of pet owners admit to not calculating the cost of getting a puppy before becoming an owner.

Smart ways to cut the costs of owning a dog or cat

There are many cost factors associated with getting a new puppy or kitten, including food, essentials, pet insurance and grooming. If you’re thinking about getting a pet, consider a budget planner or chatting with other pet owners to help you get an idea of what costs might be involved.

It’s important to consider fully the impact of a new pet. Including costs, care and time. Read our 10 essential tips for first-time pet owners for more information.

Cost of living tips for pet owners

There are lots of ways to cut back on pet care whilst making sure your pet still enjoys a healthy and happy life. Check out our guide on looking after your pet on a budget for useful tips and support.

The cost of insuring cats vs dogs

The cost of cat insurance is generally lower than insurance for dogs. There are a few different reasons for this, one being that cats tend to get themselves in less trouble.

Of those who have pet insurance, our research found that cat owners pay an average of £29 a month*, compared to dog owners who pay an estimated average £46 monthly*.

Why get pet insurance?

Pet insurance could help with unexpected costs, giving you added peace of mind if something happens to your furry friend. Plus, with Tesco Pet Insurance, your policy includes 24/7 expert advice from vetfone, where a quick call about a bee sting or somebody eating something they shouldn’t have could save you a trip to the vet and give you some comfort.

Find out about Tesco Pet Insurance

Looking for more information?

Tesco Pet Insurance includes vetfone

Get advice for your pet, whenever you need it. Just call the vetfone helpline.

Talk to vets and nurses registered with the Royal College of Veterinary SurgeonsTalk to vets and nurses registered with the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons
24/7 phone, live chat and video calls24/7 phone, live chat and video calls
Unlimited access, at no extra costUnlimited access, at no extra cost

More about vetfone

Important information

Tesco Pet Insurance is arranged, administered and underwritten by Pinnacle Insurance plc. Tesco Personal Finance Ltd acts as an introducer to Pinnacle Insurance plc which is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority (register number 110866). Registered Office: Pinnacle House, A1 Barnet Way, Borehamwood, Hertfordshire, WD6 2XX. Tesco Personal Finance Ltd and Pinnacle Insurance plc are not part of the same corporate group.

Vetfone is provided by Vetsdirect Ltd.

Tesco Insurance is a trading name of Tesco Personal Finance Ltd, Registered Office: 2 South Gyle Crescent, Edinburgh, EH12 9FQ (registered in Scotland, no SC173199) which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (register no. 186022).

We do not provide personal recommendations to customers.

The content on this page aims to offer an informative introduction to the subject matter but does not constitute expert advice specific to your own situation. All facts were correct at time of publication and were compiled using a range of sources.