When budgets are under pressure, it isn’t just people who take strain.

Pets feel the pressure just as much, with insights from the United States, Australia and New Zealand laying bare an unfortunate global reality for domestic dogs and cats in tough economic times.

PD Insurance COO Michelle Le Long therefore says every pet parent should be aware that their money worries are highly likely to affect their pets, too.

“We see it already, with overtasked animal shelters struggling to meet demand.”

After surveying more than ,400 pet parents in May, PD Insurance’s research shows that nearly one quarter (23%) are finding the costs a challenge.

A further 39% said the bills are ‘sometimes’ hard to bear.

In Australia, it was estimated that more than 8000 pets were in shelters by October last year because of relentless inflation, with numbers expected to increase well into 2024.

And, building on insights from Australia and New Zealand, Michigan State University Professor Emeritus of Urban and Regional Planning Laura Reese recently drew a parallel with tight budgets and the impact on pets.

Reese writes that ‘when people are under economic stress, their pets suffer too’, noting that her 15 years of studying urban animal welfare shows that the inequities and economic stress humans affects companion animals too.

Simply put, when people struggle to pay bills, some have little choice but to surrender pets to animal shelters.

‘Little things’ with huge bills

While food is a regular cost, it isn’t the major source of worry for many pet parents. Often, it is the apparently minor medical issues that can end up costing a lot.

This is clear in local claims data from PD Insurance; for example, a Maltese with a fractured leg resulted in a $7,400 claim in July 2023. Even something as routine as a dose of gastro can have catastrophic financial consequences; another dog got the bug which ended in a claim totalling $6,909. And when a Maine Coon cat came down with constipation, the eventual bill ran to $1717.

“Bills like these are a massive shock to the budget, even before considering the rising prices of food, fuel, power, and everything else,” notes Le Long. “If these customers didn’t have an insurance plan in place, they may have faced the awful reality of weighing up the cost of healthcare against affordability – a situation nobody should be placed in.”

A heartbreaking reality

Sadly, the cost-of-living crisis is being directly linked to increasing numbers of pets being euthanised. Recent reportage noted just one council putting down more than 400 dogs in the 10 months leading up to May this year, as people can’t afford their pets. Adoption rates have similarly plummeted, further exacerbating the challenge.

Le Long says no pet parent should be in the impossible position of deciding whether to treat their precious fur baby, or euthanise if the costs are unaffordable.

“Even if you’ve budgeted for food, toys, bedding, essential treatments like flea medication and deworming, pet health is unpredictable. And we know from our claims data that even minor ailments can quickly spiral into bills that many can’t cope with.”

Look for any, and every, saving

She says pet parents across Aotearoa – and indeed the world – are doing their best. “If you are on a budget, look for ways of saving money while still being the best pet parent.”

Tips include eliminating costs like doggy day care, using free resources to support home-led training, stepping up exercise, ‘expense smoothing’ by scheduling regular payments for essentials, and establishing a ‘rainy day’ fund for those unexpected vet trips.

“It is tough out there, and we feel for our fellow pet parents doing it hard. Our pets are like family, and money problems are tough on everyone, she concludes.”