Brighton’s reigning cats

...but Newcastle and Horsham plump for pandemic pooches

PET ownership has nearly doubled during the pandemic.

There has been an 82 per cent increase in numbers as people turned to the animal kingdom for companionship. The figures emerged via a dramatic increase in pet insurance over the past 12 months.

And it appears Edinburgh is the feline capital, with a dramatic 133 per cent increase in new cat policies.

Newcastle tops the canine chart. It has seen a huge increase in new dog owners with insurance policies rising by 154 per cent over the last year.

Cockapoos, labrador retrievers and cocker spaniels have been the most sought after breeds.

Pet insurance provider Bought By Many, which insures over half a million pets in the UK, Europe and the US said it has seen an unprecedented rise in new policies.

Senior insurance product manager Steven O’callaghan said: “From Edinburgh to Brighton anyone taking a walk through their local park will have spotted more dogs and puppies than ever before as many owners up and down the UK welcomed a new pet this year.

“It’s fantastic to see that pet insurance has increased in line with the rise in pet ownership as owners are clearly wanting to safeguard their pet’s long-term health after lockdown and beyond.”

Following Newcastle, Woking in Surrey has seen the second biggest rise in dog ownership with an increase in policies of 153 per cent.

Watford in Hertfordshire saw the third biggest increase, on 152 per cent, followed by Edinburgh on 144 per cent, Rugby in Warwickshire fifth on 143 per cent and Hamilton in South Lanarkshire sixth on 133 per cent. Seventh came Milton Keynes on 132 per cent, followed by Wokingham, Berks, eighth on 131 per cent, Stirling ninth on 129 per cent and Horsham, in West Sussex, tenth on 125 per cent.

Brighton is the second biggest catloving city with a rise in ownership of 88 per cent followed by Leeds in third place on 87 per cent. London came fourth on a 79 per cent rise, then Nottingham at fifth on 78 per cent, Northampton sixth on 75 per cent and Sheffield seventh on 74 per cent. Eighth was Manchester on a 73 per cent rise followed by Glasgow ninth on 62 per cent and Newcastle tenth on 58 per cent.

A study last year showed pets seemed to guard against stress during lockdown.

More than nine in 10 questioned said their pet had helped them cope emotionally and 96 per cent said they helped keep them fit and active.

The research, from York and Lincoln universities, also found that pets reduced loneliness.

‘Looking after long-term health’