A Cambridgeshire mum-of-two explains how spiralling pet costs force her to delay bills and turn off heating to afford specialist dog food and vet care
A mother of two has shared how escalating pet expenses have left her struggling to manage financially. The cost of specialised dog food and veterinary care has forced her to delay other payments and keep the heating off during winter.
Issabell Livesey, from Cambridgeshire, receives £1,542 monthly in Universal Credit and £180 from Child Benefit. She spends £1,000 on rent and between £150 and £200 on water and energy bills, leaving her with between £522 and £572 for other necessities.
Each month, she sets aside £150 for her two presa canarios, a large breed of dog, and these costs have significantly increased recently. She explained: “I prioritise my dogs’ care above all else. Between insurance, specialist food, flea and worm treatments, I’d say a significant chunk of my monthly allowance goes on them. The specialist food for Koubla and Xena has risen by nearly 20 percent over the past year, and emergency vet visits can cost over £150 in one go, which is almost a quarter of my monthly income.
“My pet bills are around £150 a month, which is a significant part of my Universal Credit, but they are family.”
Issabell has two children, Mika, 3, and Arvi, 5, and the household has been forced to maintain strict financial controls as their living expenses have climbed, reports the Mirror. The mum said: “As a parent of two with two big dogs, my budget is a jigsaw puzzle.
“Over the last few years, our food and energy bills have jumped by nearly 25 percent, meaning i have become an expert at ‘yellow sticker’ shopping and social tariffs just to make sure the kids and the dogs don’t feel the pinch.”
Those claiming benefits such as Universal Credit may wish to look into social tariffs.
These reduced-price mobile and broadband packages are accessible to individuals on low incomes or receiving certain benefits. Information about available tariffs can be found on the Ofcom website.
Issabell said she’s had to make considerable sacrifices to look after her two dogs. She explained: “I often delay paying utility bills, walk instead of using public transport, and keep the heating off during winter.
“It’s exhausting, but I can’t compromise on my dogs’ health – they are my emotional support and my lifeline.”
When questioned whether she’d ever consider rehoming her pets to cut her expenses, the mother was resolute: “No, absolutely not. Koubla and Xena are part of my family.
“Rehoming them would be devastating for all of us emotionally. I’d rather make sacrifices in my own life than see them suffer.”
She added: “My dogs are part of my family. They protect us and our home.”
Research conducted by lender Creditspring has shown that 59 percent of pet owners have faced escalating costs over the past year. This includes a 45 percent surge in routine veterinary expenses, whilst emergency treatment costs have risen by a third.
Less than three in 10 stated they would have adequate savings to cover an unexpected £500 expense.
Tamsin Powell, consumer finance expert at Creditspring, remarked: “Pets are part of the family and most owners will do whatever they can to keep them healthy. But when food, insurance and routine care are all rising at once – and an unexpected vet bill can run into the hundreds – it doesn’t take much for a household budget to tip into stress.
“Our research shows many pet owners would have to borrow, use a payment plan, or cut back elsewhere to cover a £500 treatment cost. Borrowing isn’t anyone’s first choice, but these numbers show how quickly a surprise cost becomes a crisis when people don’t have a buffer.”
