The lifetime cost of owning a dog can be up to £31,000 Britons thinking about buying an animal as a Christmas present should be thinking about the lifetime costs and long term needs, rather than the short term novelty, according to MedicAnimal, the UK’s leading online pet healthcare retailer. Owning a dog or cat over its lifetime (including initial purchase cost boarding fees, vet visits, insurance, food and preventative healthcare) can be up to £31,000 and £17,000 respectively for dogs…