Poorly Pets Costing UK Pet Owners ££ In Vet Fees Each Year!
By Alison Steed
POORLY pets are costing British families an average of £406 in vets fees, but one in 14 owners have had to pay a bill of more than £1,000, according to research from esure.
In the current economic climate, more than a quarter of us are finding it hard to scrape together the money to pay unexpected vets bills, with a fifth of dog owners having to resort to their credit card to pay for treatment.
Nearly one in six have had to use their savings to cover the cost of caring for their furry friends, and worrying 4 per cent have even missed mortgage or utility bill payments to pay for their pet’s care.
English Setters are the most costly breed of dog, according to esure’s research, with owners shelling out a whopping £6,995 on vets bills the dog’s lifetime.
Even though the vet’s bills are causing many financial difficulties, less than a third of owners have pet insurance to help with the fees. Part of the problem is that many dog owners underestimate just how much it can cost to keep their pet healthy.
More than a quarter of owners think that the average vet bill for a dog with diabetes would be less than £200, yet the actual figure would be more like £1,146, including ongoing treatment.
Mike Pickard, Head of esure pet insurance, which carried out the poll added: “To repair a dog’s broken leg, one in 10 pet owners think that the average vet bill would be less than £100, but it is actually more than five times that amount at £560.
“Sickness, injury and long-term illness can affect any breed of dog, at any time, which is why it’s crucial for pet owners to have insurance or ample savings to cover an unexpected vet bill of any size. With many pet owners underestimating the cost of treatment for common ailments, a hefty vet bill may stretch household finances to the limit – especially in the current credit crunch. Pet owners should plan ahead for all eventualities when it comes to their dog’s health.”
VET BILLS FOR THE TOP 10 MOST POORLY DOG BREEDS:
|
DOG BREEDS |
Lifespan per breed (Years) |
Cost of vet bills in last year |
Cost of vet bills lifespan |
| English Setter |
11.2 |
£621 |
£6,955 |
| Great Dane |
8.5 |
£780 |
£6,630 |
|
Poodle |
12 |
£544 |
£6,528 |
|
Rottweiler |
9.8 |
£532 |
£5,214 |
|
Doberman |
9.8 |
£481 |
£4,714 |
| Pointer |
13.5 |
£335 |
£4,523 |
|
Greyhound |
13.2 |
£314 |
£4,145 |
|
Chihuahua |
13 |
£310 |
£4,030 |
| Beagle | 13.3 | £302 | £4,017 |
| Saint Bernard | 8 | £492 | £3,936 |
Source: esure
