British pets face Bank Holiday blues

We may be a nation of animal lovers but a new survey has revealed that pets should watch out for their owner's antics this bank holiday as they could be hurt by traditional summer sports and activities.

Petplan, the UK's leading pet insurance provider, has revealed that in a survey of 3000 pet owners, nearly a quarter of people said their pet had been injured by their BBQ. Meanwhile 16% of pets have been hurt by a swingball and 13% of pets have been injured by a paddling pool.

With 54% of Brits set to enjoy a "staycation" this bank holiday, it is likely their pets will be at home and possibly in harms way as they pick up a bat and ball. Laurie Darrington from Barnsley in Yorkshire admits that her pooch Alfie has previously been a casualty of the summer fun.

"Our family likes to play rounders in the summer, however when Alfie was a puppy he became so excited that he ran into one of the posts and hurt his head. His vet bill cost nearly £200," says Ms Darrington.

The survey found that Alfie is not alone; with dogs the most likely pets to be hurt by a ball game whilst a rabbit is the pet most likely to fall into a paddling pool.

Petplan has teamed up with pet gardens expert, Richard Barrett who has provided useful advice for keeping your pet safe and how to create a pet-friendly garden:

It's fun to include your dog in your summer games, but make sure you are not too rough with your kicks and throws to your pooch to avoid injury.

If you're taking your pet for a walk, or to play games away from your home, always have some water to hand.

Make sure older dogs, especially those with heart and lung conditions do not overheat. Be careful how much exercise they have so they do not suffer exhaustion in the heat.

Also if your pet is out in the garden, make sure they have access to a shaded area in order to keep cool.

If you have a small dog, it is important to have a secure perimeter, especially if you provide your pet access to the garden while you are away from the house.

Alison Andrew, Petplan's Marketing Manager says, "The UK has a great tradition of summer sports but it always make sense to be aware of your pet's playtime. The most common claim for dogs and cats are accidents and injuries. Sometimes it makes sense to separate your bank holiday fun from that of your pets."

To find out more about Petplan, visit petplan.co.uk