28th April 2005
Concern over the welfare of their pets causes thousands of British dog owners to take weeks off work.
New research from Direct Line Pet Insurance reveals that dog owners have collectively taken at least 2.7 million* working days off to care for their sick pets over the last two years. Ten per cent of dog owners missed five days of work with half of these (5%) putting their careers on hold for two weeks to administer TLC to their favourite pet.
This level of compassion doesn't extend to sick partners though. More than half of dog owners (55 per cent) pay more attention to their sick pet than their ill partner with 49 per cent confessing they worry more when their pooch is sick than when their other half is under the weather.
Determined to raise the spirits of their poorly pets, 53 per cent of owners buy presents to cheer up their dogs if they are under the weather. More than one in 10 (12 per cent) splash out on a new bed - while eight per cent simply treat them to full run of the house.
However the Direct Line findings reveal that puppy love comes at a high price as 14 per cent of those who are uninsured shell out between £1,000-£1,500 per year on the well-being of their furry friends.
This is unsurprising considering a hound's health is more fragile than a human's. While two in ten (17 per cent) take their sick pets to the vet seven times a year, they only visit the doctor for themselves five times a year at the most.
Despite this, nine per cent have health insurance for themselves but not for their dog, with 67 per cent admitting they don't have health insurance cover for either themselves or their pet.
Chris Price, Business Manager at Direct Line Pet Insurance, said:
''Dogs are viewed as part of the family so protecting their health and well being is very important. Unfortunately they can't vocalise what's wrong with them in the same way humans can, so it's very worrying when they get ill. As a result if they are unwell, it's vital to get them checked out by an expert and have a vet advise them on the best form of treatment. At present only 16 per cent of owners have insurance in place so many people are forced to pay steep vet's bills. We would certainly advise all owners to consider pet insurance to prevent this unavoidable expense."
-ends-
For further information please contact:
Carmel McCarthy
Direct Line Press Office
Tel: 0845 8782178
Email: Carmel.McCarthy@Directline.com
Notes to editor
Research was carried out in January 2005 by K9 Media who questioned a representative sample of 750 UK dog owners.
Direct Line Insurance plc, authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority. Calls may be recorded. Conditions apply.
*Assuming there are 5.4 million dog owners (Target Group Index© BMRB 2005) and 10% have taken five days off work – 5.4 million divided by 10 and multiplied by 5 = 2.7 million working days.
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