New Urge for Dog Owners to Obtain Cover for their Pets

It is an image we might see regularly in the pages of celebrity gossip magazines; a famous figure such as Jessica Simpson, Paris Hilton or Britney Spears shopping whilst wearing the latest fashions, with a small dog appearing out of their handbags.

So called ‘handbag’ dogs are reportedly being pursued around the world, with many hoping to emulate their favourite celebs, but Sainsbury’s Finance are warning owners of such animals to make sure they have adequate pet insurance to cover them.

Sainsbury’s Pet Insurance has reported on surprising figures that demonstrate that around 45% of the animals it currently insures falls into the category of ‘handbag dogs’, according to figures for the first half of 2009.

“Seeing so many celebrities with small pedigree dogs has certainly fuelled demand for these pets” says Lucy Hunter, Sainsbury’s Pet Insurance Manager, “between 2006 and 2008 the number of these animals insured by Sainsbury’s Pet Insurance increased by 41.3%.  This included a 417% increase in the number of Chihuahuas covered and a 248% increase in the number of West Highland White Terriers.”

She goes on to point out that as these animals are pedigrees they can become ill due to certain hereditary medical problems. Pedigree dogs have been bred in a certain way, making it all the more important to seek pet insurance for these animals to keep them safe. The consequence of not following this advice could be high veterinary bills that the owner cannot pay.

The figures from Sainsbury’s Pet Insurance highlight the percentage of claims made by small pedigree dog owners in the first half of 2009,with a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel the most popular small dog insured by their pet insurance policy. The percentage of these dogs insured by Sainsbury’s Pet Insurance is 50%, followed by a West Highland White Terrier at 67%.

The top ten list of small dogs insured by the pet insurance provider also included a Yorkshire Terrier, Border Terrier, Shih Tzu, Miniature Schnauzers, Bichon Frise, Lhasa Apso, Pug and a Poodle.

Pet Insurance can be obtained from a wide range of providers, all offering their own levels of cover at varying prices so it is not necessarily the case that pet insurance has to be expensive. This is why customers are urged to shop around for the best deal for them.

Tesco Pet Insurance Points to rise in Women Claiming their Pet as a Companion

Over the years, pets (in this case dogs in particular) have carried out many role in society and as a result they have earned themselves the name of ‘man’s best friend’ – a phrase that transcends social, cultural and language barriers.

However, a Tesco Pet Insurance-commissioned study has found that 1 in 3 women consider their pet to be their best friend, which compares to 1 in 5 of men. Of the women consulted, they also found that 76% talk to their pets as though they were a human companion and 34% would prefer their pet’s company as opposed to a fellow human being.

Perhaps it should be made clearer that dogs are in fact ‘mankind’s best friend’ rather than simply ‘man’s best friend’? After all, the results suggest that fewer men actually consider their pet to be their closest companion.

The Press Release from Tesco Pet Insurance does not indicate the reasons as to why these results might have presented themselves. As such it can only be speculated as to why more women prefer the company of their pets.

However, one thing is certain – if people are feeling closer to their pets than ever, then perhaps they should ensure they have adequate pet insurance to cover the costs of emergencies.

They are thoughts echoed by Rachel Cutler, head of Tesco Pet Insurance: “Owning a pet can be a very rewarding experience – many people consider their cat or dog to be part of the family and even, as our research shows, their best friend. We also understand that it can be a costly experience.

“To enable pet owners to manage the costs of their pet insurance, our policies start from £4.50 a month for cats and £8.00 per month for dogs and we don’t change policy conditions as a customer’s pet gets older.”

Customers are, of course, urged to shop around for adequate cover. With many different pet insurance policies on the market, there are various different levels of cover available, all at differing prices. It means that research can make all of the difference in finding a pet insurance policy that suits the needs of the pet owner.

Source: Tesco Pet Insurance Press Release 2009

Summer Months can bring pain to Pets

Two studies into the care of the nation’s pets have highlighted the times of year in which pets are at particular risk showcasing the dangers faced by pets, specifically during the summer months, some of which can naturally apply all year round.

During summer, there are many things that people like to do, but many might not take the risks faced to their pets into account. In a study carried out by PetPlan, they found that a quarter of people surveyed reported that their pet had come in harm’s way as a result of their barbeque. Further animals may become injured due to swingballs and paddling pools.

Similar results were found in a study carried out by M&S Insurance, which found that one dog had been injured as a result of running into a washing line whilst holding a Frisbee in their mouth. There were also problems with the items that dogs might have eaten, leading to illness, such as cases where dogs had eaten uncooked sausages, walnuts and a large frog.

It is therefore advisable for certain precautions, some of which apply all year round, to ensure that people do not have to make a large pay out on their pet insurance as a result of injuries incurred by their animals. Whilst pet insurance is a useful tool in keeping our animals safe, it is only second best to keeping them out of harm’s way in the first place.

PetPlan says that one such precaution is to ensure the perimeter around the home is fully secure, meaning that the dog is not able to escape and land in trouble. This also avoids adding to the large numbers of cats and dogs that are going missing in the UK, with only certain types of pet insurance policies covering the costs associated with finding lost pets.

Other precautions relate solely to the summer months, such as taking water on walks, being gentle during games, making sure there is shade in the garden and being careful in the amount of exercise given to older dogs.

M&S highlights the ways in which advice can be obtained, particularly calling a qualified veterinary expert at any time. Many insurance providers offer a phone line to customers concerned.

So it is always best to be prepared for anything, whatever the season, by taking precautions and taking out an adequate pet insurance policy.

Sources: M&S Press Release and Petplan Press Release