COUNTING THE COST AFTER LOCKDOWN CAT AND DOG SALES BOOM

Consider cover as soon as possible because younger pets cost less to insure. If a pet is diagnosed with a health problem, most insurers will exclude that and related issues for ever. your pet. It is also important to budget for health care costs. It’s essential puppies and kittens get their initial vaccinations and worming treatments to help prevent against disease and infection. Prevention is often both cheaper and better than the cure.

“By being proactive and booking in regular check-ups with your vet you can reduce the risk of your pet developing long-term issues.”

It’s not easy to predict when a pet might become ill and need treatment, and vet bills can become unaffordable.

Pet insurance can help to protect against these unplanned costs and ensure your pet gets good treatment.

Pet insurance may seem expensive as the average cost of insuring a dog is £386 a year, and for a cat it’s £182.

A French bulldog, one of the top choices for pooches currently, will cost a hefty £698 to insure.

But when you consider how much vet bills can add up to, having cover could save thousands of pounds and avoid the heartache of not being able to afford to get a pet treated.

A typical health issue associated with French bulldogs is brachycephalic airway obstruction syndrome, which can lead to severe breathing problems and inflammation, and costs an average £1,387 for treatment.

Data from Bought By Many shows it paid out 91,607 claims for cats and dogs this year, with the most expensive dog claim £8,377 and cat claim £7,000.

Sarah says that the benefits of having a pet are priceless.

But she adds: “It’s important that owners are aware of all the potential costs associated with owning a pet, so they don’t get surprised by any unexpected costs along the way.”