London, Paris and Rome crowned most pet-friendly cities in Europe

With 164 dog-friendly parks, 240 pet grooming facilities and 172 pet daycare options, London is the most pet-friendly city in Europe according to a new report by money.co.uk – followed by Paris and Rome.

The Pet-Friendly Cities Report ranks 20 of Europe’s most densely-populated cities, scoring them on their “individual pet-friendly credentials” such as travelling on public transport, pet-friendly rentals, and options for veterinary treatment within the city centre. 

1. London – 82.5
2. Paris – 71
3. Rome – 57.5
4. Madrid – 56.5
5. Berlin – 56
6. Barcelona – 54
7. Hamburg – 50.5
8. Brussels – 49
9. Munich – 48
10. Milan – 48

Salman Haqqi, personal finance expert at money.co.uk, said, “Our pets are part of the family. They provide us with endless amounts of companionship and help reduce our stress levels and increase our social activities.

“But before making the commitment to care for a pet, you must factor in the costs of owning one. Factoring in the lifetime cost of a cat or dog will set you back on average between £16,000 and £33,000.  

“These figures include the cost of food, toys, bedding, pet insurance, vet bills, grooming, and flea and worming. For cats and dogs, the average cost of food per year is between £200 and £400. Large dog breeds will cost more to feed and the price of food differs based on the quality. Whereas, hamsters, mice, and other small pets cost significantly less to feed.

“When it comes to pet insurance, it is more cost-effective to take out a yearly policy while your pet is young. This will however start to get more expensive as your pet reaches the more senior years of their life. Be careful with this as many insurance providers will not cover your pets when they get older, therefore in the long run a lifetime policy may be more beneficial if you are adopting an older rescue animal. 

“These are all factors to consider when choosing whether to buy or adopt a pet. Make sure you calculate whether your finances can cover the cost of the type of animal you are looking to bring home.”