A joint account isn’t the only thing many couples share. The UK is a nation of animal lovers – and lovers with animals. Whether it’s a dog, cat or tarantula (no judgement), many couples share a pet.
It’s no secret that pet ownership can be expensive, so some people are now turning to ‘pet-nups’ as a way to plan ahead. A pet-nup is basically a pre-nup but for your shared furry friend – it’s an agreement that spells out who’ll take care of the pet, and the related costs, in the event of a breakup. This can be an informal written agreement between you and your partner, or something more formal, like a legal agreement drawn up by a solicitor.
Based on a survey of 2,000 people who currently own a pet with their significant other, we’ll reveal:
How many couples have a pet-nup and what costs they might face individually in the event of a breakup
How couples split their pet expenses
What pets couples share, and what their average cost is
How couples navigate shared pet ownership
How many couples have a ‘pet-nup’ and what costs might they face individually in the event of a breakup?
Talking about who gets the pet isn’t exactly an easy conversation, which could explain why most couples avoid having this chat. According to our research, 64% haven’t discussed what would happen to their pet in the event of a breakup, and only 25% have a pet-nup in place. But that figure jumps to 55% among 18–24-year-olds, suggesting younger couples are far more likely to have those hard conversations and plan ahead.
Why is a pet-nup important?
Sharing a pet can suddenly become much more complicated if you break up with your partner. Of those who’ve gone through a breakup, 62% of those surveyed admitted that the process of deciding who got to keep the pet affected their mental health. Having a pet-nup in place can prevent these kinds of disputes during an already stressful time.
Of the 25% of couples who do have a pet-nup in place, the vast majority (64%) arranged it with their pet’s wellbeing in mind, while 31% also considered protecting their finances an essential factor.
What are the costs in the event of a break-up?
Keeping on top of pet expenses post break-up is another difficult discussion. Although 38% say they’d keep their pet full-time in the event of a breakup, 60% currently split their pet-related expenses with their partner.
According to our data, the average amount spent on a pet is £121.25 a month. This means that individuals could be left with up to £1,455 a year in unaccounted-for pet expenses if their relationship doesn’t go to plan.
How do couples split their pet expenses?
When it comes to covering costs for pets, 36% use a joint account, just over a quarter (26%) use their personal account, while 25% split costs between their own accounts. The remainder (12%) pay and their partner then reimburses them.
And when it comes down to how couples split these costs, only 14% split them evenly. The most popular method is splitting expenses by category, like one partner paying for food while another pays for the vet — a solution used by 42% of those surveyed.
What pets do couples share, and what is their average cost?
In all UK counties, the most popular pet for a couple is a dog. This was especially clear in Northern Ireland, where over 80% of those surveyed own a pet pooch. On average, owners of a single dog spend £123.72 per month, while those with two dogs spend £155.29 per month.
While only 49% of individuals in Scotland own a cat, Greater London has the highest percentage of cat owners (77%), with monthly expenses averaging £123.64 for one cat. This higher rate of ownership is likely influenced by smaller living spaces and limited access to open areas for pets that require more room to exercise. Despite this, Greater London is also the region with the most horse owners, with 9% of those surveyed owning a horse (of which half own multiple). Unsurprisingly, equestrian pets were the most expensive to own overall, with the cost of just one averaging £202.14 per month.
On the other end of the scale, East Midlands is the region where couples are most likely to share a hamster, owned by 9% of those surveyed. You’re probably less likely to see them out and about, though.
How do couples navigate shared pet ownership?
70% of the individuals surveyed chose to get a pet together to bring more joy into the home, but shared pet ownership can present some challenges.
Sharing expenses is one of the key sources of division. 40% of participants admitted that money-related issues around pets have caused arguments or tension in their relationships. This could be down to the fact that almost half (46%) said they have different spending habits from their partner. However, while 70% regularly buy more gifts and treats for their pets than their partner, only 9% said that this causes frustration – so spoil away!
The takeaways
It’s no secret that owning a pet is a big responsibility. And sharing one with a partner can present unexpected challenges, whether it’s how you split the costs or work out ownership in the event of a breakup. Anyone with a pet knows that the joy they bring is infinite, but the costs can feel infinite too – especially if you never planned on caring for them alone. Whether drafted with a solicitor or agreed more informally, a pet-nup can provide certainty, protecting your pet’s wellbeing and helping avoid financial disputes.
A Monzo joint account makes it easy to manage shared spending and saving. And you can open one in minutes.
You'll both need a Monzo account. Aged 18+. UK residents only. Ts&Cs apply.
This consumer research was conducted by Censuswide, with a nationally representative sample of 2,000 UK adults who own a pet with their partner. Research took place between 29th August – 2nd September 2025.