Now I do understand, that this does make some people laugh. As you will all know by now we our a family of animal lovers. We lost our still very missed boy last year Max, who was a huge character. We now have just one dog Bear who is now classed as a senior dog. And of course our 4 budgies, hopefully soon to be 8 as we have 4 eggs. So Let’s Talk About Our Fur Babies. Owning a dog is a commitment but, also very rewarding. Knowing you are keeping them fit and healthy becomes natural just like looking after our familu.
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Did you know that we are a nation of pawrents, with 7 in 10 of us prioritising their pet over their partner.
- According to new Post Office research, seven in 10 (77 percent) young pet owners refer to their pet as their ‘fur baby’. And over a third (36 percent) say their family isn’t complete without an animal living at home.
- Ninety-seven percent of the 18- to 35-year-old pet owners surveyed said they love their pet as if it were their child. Seven in 10 (71 percent) say they would rather spend time with their beloved animal than their partner, and 71 percent say their pet must like a prospective partner.
- A sixth (15 percent) like snuggling with their animal so much that they have cancelled plans with friends and family, and three quarters (76 percent) have even cancelled a holiday or special occasion because their pet was unwell.
- Pets top the gift list, with owners splashing out an annual average of £677 on food, £344 on clothes, £222 on treats and £192 on toys. Just three percent of owners surveyed never shell out on treats.
- Pet parents spend thousands a year on well-cared-for pets, with hundreds of pounds (£417) doled out annually on pet-friendly holidays, dog walkers (£374) and special occasions such as Christmas (£171), Valentine’s Day (£151) and birthdays (£147).
- It’s no surprise that 57 percent of owners say that people underestimate how expensive having a pet is, and 47 percent claim owning a dog or cat is more expensive than ever before.
Pet Insurance
- Most pet parents insure their animals, but one in five (19 percent) do not. Common reasons for not taking out pet cover include. The high cost (42 percent), not feeling the need to take out pet health insurance (33 percent) and their pet currently being healthy (25 percent).
- Those who don’t have pet insurance spend an average of £632 a year on vet bills. Cat owners are less likely to have insurance (82 percent) compared to dog owners (84 percent).
- The costs of keeping pets healthy are a concern for most pet parents. Three quarters of pet owners (75%) say they have panicked about escalating animal-related bills. With 14% even opt not to take their pet to the vet when they are ill as they are worried about mounting costs.
- A fifth (13 percent) admit they have regretted getting a pet after seeing huge vet bills. While eight percent say the rising costs have taken a toll on their mental health. It’s no surprise that one in three (34 percent) say that giving up a ‘fur baby’ you can’t afford is the most heart-breaking thing they can imagine. Post Office has created an online hub to help people calculate the cost of owning a pet. It can be found here.
Paul Paddock, Product and Pricing Director at Post Office said. “We’ve always known that the UK is a nation of animal lovers. It’s evident from the research that being a pawrent is more important than ever to modern Brits. However, it’s also clear that many underestimate how much owning and caring for a pet can cost. With more than half admitting that it is more expensive than they expected. That’s why Post Office wants to help give people an idea of the cost of pet ownership. To aid in financial planning and ensure pet owners are not caught out”.
Post Office Pet Insurance
Post Office has pet insurance policies for many types of animals, including puppy and kitten insurance, rabbits, older pet cover, insurance for animals with pre-existing health conditions and multipet policies for households with more than one animal.
Paddock continues; “Our customers also have 247 access to our pet call line, which means that ‘pawrents’ can access expert advice anytime, offering them peace of mind and ensuring their pets stay happy and healthy.”
The data also revealed that dogs (78%) are the most popular pet, followed by cats (54%), birds (11%), fish (9%) and hamsters (4%).
The most popular dog breeds in the UK are German Shepherds (25 percent), Labrador Retrievers (16 percent), Bulldogs (15 percent), Golden Retrievers (14 percent) and Siberian Huskies (10 percent). Poodles (nine percent), French Bulldogs (nine percent), Beagles (eight percent), Chihuahuas (seven percent) and Jack Russell Terriers (five percent) round out the top ten.
The Most Popular Dog Breeds In The UK
- German Shepherd – 25%
- Labrador Retriever – 16%
- Bulldog – 15%
- Golden Retriever – 14%
- Siberian Husky – 10%
- Poodle – 9%
- French Bulldog – 9%
- Beagle – 8%
- Chihuahua – 7%
- Jack Russell Terrier – 5%
Do you agree with this list?
What dog do you own or would like to own?
Do you have pet insurance?
If you need help working out if you can afford a pet, Post Office have shared some indicative costs to help you plan; The Cost of Owning a Pet | Pet Insurance | Post Office
Interesting post – surprised by the top 10. I don’t have a dog but would like one!
We lost one of ours last year and still have one, we have discussed another dog but not yet
Vets bills can be so high, and there also seems so many different complimentary therapies avaialble now, such as hydrotherapy, that I can understand why pet insurance is vital
Pet insurance is vital, as it can be very costly for a visit to the vet
Lovely, interesting blog. We love dogs and our jack Russell Judy passed away last year. I’m not sure if we are ready yet to think about having dog another at the moment. I didn’t know you could get insurance with the Post office, that’s good to know.
We lost our Mal last year, and like you not ready yet to get another one, but we do still have Bear
We are a cat family rather than a dog family. The chances of cats getting through their life without needing illness veterinary care are almost nil. Insurance, preferably with lifetime cover, is even more important now than it ever was. Starting a policy while pets are young and healthy is important, too. Once they’ve suffered an illness, it won’t be covered in a new policy taken out afterwards.
Condolences on the loss of your precious boy last year. Grieving for pets weighs heavily on the heart and brings tears to the eyes so easily.
I agree I had two cats so know what that is like as well