Designer dog craze blamed as pet insurers pay out £785m

SOARING vet fees and the bad health of many designer dogs are blamed for huge increases in pet insurance claims and costs.

The number of claims made on pet cover has shot up 75 per cent in a decade, with the average claimed now £793.

Experts say more advanced veterinary treatment, the rise of fashionable flat-faced dog breeds and unhealthy puppy farm-bred animals are behind the spiralling figures.

Owners spend an average of £279 a year on insuring their pets, with premiums rising by about 45 per cent over the past decade.

Figures from the Association of British Insurers show more pets are insured than ever before, with nearly 4.3million covered.

Insurers paid out £327million in 2008, when the average claim was £401 and average premium £191.

They year but paid still out made £785million £425million. last

RSPCA chief veterinary officer Caroline Allen said the popularity of fashionable breeds such as French bulldogs, pugs and dachshunds, was a key factor. ‘Many of these dogs suffer from serious, inherent health problems due to the way they look,’ she said.

‘Some of these dogs require major operations and ongoing treatment throughout their lives to help them breathe more freely, for example, and this could certainly contribute to a rise in insurance claims.’

The Kennel Club said puppy farms and ‘backstreet breeders’ could also be to blame for the rising costs.

According to the organisation, older dogs bred within its Assured Breeder Scheme are 34 per cent less likely to need veterinary treatment.

A spokesman said: ‘There are far too many dogs in this country that are poorly bred either by puppy farmers, or smuggled in from Eastern Europe and this can result in heartbreak and high veterinary fees for their owners.’ Yesterday the Daily Mail reported that teacher Nicki Dyson may have to remortgage her house to raise £20,000 for life- saving treatment for her dog.

Her three-year- old chow chow Narla has elbow problems with her front legs. Miss Dyson, 31, has already spent £6,000 on failed procedures after adopting Narla from travellers two years ago.

Teacher faces £20k bill for op to save pet... and is ready to remortgage her home to pay for it

From yesterday’s Mail