- The cost of keeping a canine companion is rising faster than inflation
- Dogs Trust and Oxford Economics say the ‘dogflation’ rate is 9%
- Like the consumer price index, it is based on a basket of typical goods
Dog owners are facing rising costs in caring for their pets as ‘dogflation’ rises to more than double the UK inflation rate.
The current ‘dogflation rate’ – calculated by charity Dogs Trust together with Oxford Economics – stands at 9 percent, 5 percentage points above the consumer price index of 4 percent announced this week.
Like the CPI rate, it is based on a basket of frequently purchased goods and services, representing the average cost of buying and caring for a dog.
Dogs Trust has opened dog food banks in its rehoming centers across the UK as prices rise
The 5 percent difference was the same last month, and the charity has reported that higher costs mean a fifth of owners are considering switching to cheaper dog food.
The dogflation basket consists of pet collars, dog treats, pet purchases, dog kennel costs, vet costs, pet cages, dog food and pet insurance.
On Wednesday, figures from the Office for National Statistics showed a surprise increase in the CPI of 3.9 percent, compared to a decline to 3.8 percent that had been expected.
The charity said dogflation exceeded the CPI every month in 2023, with the rate of increase since August 2022 exceeding the economy-wide indicator.
It has also surpassed the CPI for five of the past nine years.
Owen Sharp, CEO of Dogs Trust, said: ‘Our Dogflation model shows that despite the surprising rise in inflation, dog owners – a third of UK households – are still disproportionately affected by the daily costs of owning a dog .
‘As we continue to receive inquiries about transfers from desperate owners, our priority is to keep as many dogs with their families as possible, and we will continue to work with our counterparts in the animal welfare sector to try to ensure dogs do not do that. get hungry.’
The charity said it received 45,000 inquiries from owners asking to give up their dogs last year, including 3,277 in December alone. The National Dog Survey found a majority said veterinary bills are the dog-related costs they are most concerned about to make.
To help people struggling to care for their dogs, it has even opened dog food banks in rehoming centers across the country.
Dogs Trust warned that the government must do more to contain dogflation.
Last week it handed over its ‘Paws the VAT’ petition, which has received more than 100,000 signatures, to the government.
The petition calls for the temporary abolition of VAT on animal feed and veterinary services until inflation reaches a more moderate level.
It’s said the price cut could be ‘vital’ for dog owners and could help offset rapidly rising prices.
Sharp said: “This burden should not rest solely on the shoulders of the charity sector. We urgently need the government to do its bit for the 12 million dogs and their owners in this country by cutting the 20 per cent VAT on pet food, at least for now.”