Some 18 per cent of dog owners who have taken their pooch to a vet have dipped into their savings help to pay for increasing costs, new research by Direct Line
Pet Insurance has indicated.
The study also suggested that owners pay an average of £215 over a period of five years for their sick pet - and with some 11 million people in Britain owning dogs - the research denotes that some £1.5 billion is spent on vet bills on an annual basis.
Head of Direct Line
Pet Insurance Chris Price stated that when a pet becomes ill, the cost of treatment can rapidly mount up and as such it is important to ensure that owners have a plan in place to cover any unexpected outgoings.
"
Pet insurance is the easiest way to give you peace of mind. You know the cost will be covered and you won't have to go dipping into savings or making sacrifices to see your pet back to full health," he added.
Animal lovers were recently provided with advice for dealing with anxious pets on bonfire night by animal charity the Blue Cross.
Consumers wishing to protect their domestic animal may wish to contact
InsureandGo to gain a
pet insurance quote.