Pet owners would rather scrimp on pleasures than pets

New research has indicated that pet insurance policy holders pamper and humanise their pets, so much so that most pet owners would rather scrimp on their own pleasures than spend less on the family pet.

A survey conducted by the online shopping portal Kelkoo has revealed that over a quarter of households exhibit a 'humanising indulgence' towards their pets. According to the shopping portal, 28 per cent of pet owners surveyed buy their pets birthday and Christmas presents. A further 28 per cent of pet owners also allow their animals to share their bed. And a further six per cent of pet owners allow their cats or dogs to eat directly from their dinner plate.

The shopping portal also found that pet owners were likely to treat and love a pet as though it were a family member. 18 per cent of pet owners surveyed admitted to treating their animal like a child, while nine per cent said that they would rather spend quality time with a pet than a family member. A further six per cent of pet owners described their pet as being at the top of their household's pecking order.

34 per cent of pet owners polled admitted that they regularly told their pet that they loved them.

The research has also shown that the cost of owning a pet has increased in recent years with a dog now costing an estimated £672 per year to keep and cats an estimated £468.

However, pet owners are little willing to scrimp on the costs of caring for their pet despite the rising cost of living. 74 per cent of pet owners said that they would eat out less rather than reduce the amount of money spent on their pets, while 53 per cent of pet owners said they would switch to a cheaper supermarket in order to afford pet essentials such as grooming, pet food and pet insurance.

Tue, 17 May 2011 06:36:00 GMT