Inflation bites as pet food and veterinary bills rise

“We pay about $30 for one week’s dental treats for Zeus, whereas we [now] get a bag of carrots that last for longer.”

Zoe Blank, a Bathurst vet who owns several dogs herself, said one of the drivers of higher veterinary costs was a lack of workers.

“It’s really tough to get vets. We recently hired a locum, we were paying her over double what you would normally pay a vet, just to keep the wheels turning while another vet was on leave,” she said.

The cost of pets and related products also rose, by 11.8 per cent in the 12 months to June, which is the biggest increase in prices since June 2010.

Head of data statistics at the ABS Michelle Marquardt said that the main contributors driving pet-related products is food, given the sheer amount of it people have to purchase.

Carolyn Macgill, executive manager of the Pet Food Industry Association of Australia said there were global and local pressures affecting pet food prices.

“PFIAA members are experiencing increases due to a range of issues including an increase in the cost of fuel, cost and availability of ingredients, supply disruption, plus there are global supply chain increases,” she said.

Liz Walker, director of operations at The Lost Dogs’ Home in North Melbourne, said most wholesalers and companies had put a 10-30 per cent increase on their products.

“This includes dog food, vet supplies, medication, bedding, PPE, cleaning products, harnesses, leads, pretty much everything you need in a shelter,” she said. “So we have obviously inherited that increase.”

Data from RSPCA NSW shows the proportion of people surrendering animals due to costs has risen over the last few years.

In 2019, 9 per cent of people who surrendered their pets to the organisation said it was because they could not afford basic care. That rose to 17 per cent in 2021, and 13 per cent so far this year.

A national RSPCA spokesman said the organisation was aware that the rising cost of living, particularly the rising cost of pet services, may be affecting people’s ability to care for their pets.

“At all times, the RSPCA encourages prospective pet owners to consider the potential costs associated with pet ownership,” he said.

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Besides food and vet bills, Walker said those costs include council registration, regular parasite control and pet insurance.

“Taking in a new family member can be up to a 20-year commitment and you will have those costs for the life of the animal,” she said.

Orr said either taking out pet insurance or putting some money aside in a savings account just for pet expenses could help people cope with unexpected costs.

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