Pet owners feel the pinch from poorly pooches

As almost a quarter of dog owners look to cancel their pet insurance policies to save money, esure urges them to continue paying for cover to avoid facing a hefty vet bill.

In the current economic climate, having pet insurance is more vital than ever before to cover the cost of unexpected veterinary treatment. According to research by esure pet insurance, vet bills have left more than a quarter (26 per cent) of pet owners struggling to find the money to pay.

The poll of 3,000 dog owners revealed that almost a fifth (19 per cent) of those surveyed have had to use their credit card and another 14 per cent have been forced to dip into their savings to cover a vet bill. Shockingly more than one in 25 pet owners (four per cent) questioned even had to miss payments on their mortgage or utilities because they had to unexpectedly dig into their pockets to pay the vet instead.

The research also highlighted that certain breeds of dog are far more susceptible to illness and injury. Owners of English Setters pay more in vet bills than any other breed according to the report - almost £7,000 in a lifetime on injections, surgery and emergency treatments. In the past year alone, the average owner of one of these gun dogs has visited the vet seven times spending a total of £621.

Despite the potential of massive bills, just a third (31 per cent) of pet owners polled had pet insurance, and almost a quarter (24 per cent) of those with the cover admitted they were considering cancelling it to save money during the current credit crunch.

Mike Pickard, Head of pet insurance at esure, said: "Dogs are expensive pets to buy and keep. Although dog owners will be aware of the regular costs associated with looking after their pet - such as food, grooming and kennel fees - many overlook the possibility of facing unexpected bills for veterinary treatment.

"It's crucial for dog owners to either have pet insurance or savings to cover potentially thousands of pounds worth of vet bills. Sickness, injury and long-term illnesses can affect any breed or size of dog but with some more susceptible than others, owners should plan for all eventualities when it comes to their dogs' health."