Costs of pets rose by more than inflation

Pet owners have faced substantial increases in the costs of their animals in recent years. Since  2006 prices of pets and pet-related products and services have risen by more than inflation. Vets in particular have become more expensive. Prices for veterinary services rose by about 18 percent between 2006 and May 2009. Pets and pet products such as cages, food and care, cost 13.3 percent more. Dog licence fees rose in line with inflation: the average rate rose by 6.8 percent. Total inflation in the Netherlands since 2006 amounts to 6.2 percent.

Just over half of households in the Netherlands have at least one pet. The total number of pets in the country is estimated to be around 30 million. Dutch pet owners spend about 1.1 billon euro a year on their pets.

Prices of pets

Koos Hofland