3 May 2011

1.76m Cats and Dogs Affected by Dental Problems Last Year

New research reveals up to 1.76 million cats and dogs last year suffered from dental problems, costing owners on average £192.68 per pet.

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New research reveals up to 1.76 million cats and dogs last year suffered from dental problems, costing owners on average £192.68 per pet.**

Even though the cost of treatment is pricey, 60 percent of pet owners in the study did not have pet insurance to help pay for it, Sainsbury's Finance revealed.

The most expensive pet insurance claim from Sainsbury's for dental work over the past five years has reached £5,652.

"It's important your pet's dental care isn't overlooked as the consequences could cause the animal distress, put them at risk of infection and can be very costly,” said Lucy Hunter, Sainsbury's Pet Insurance spokesperson.

"When looking at pet insurance policies, owners should choose very carefully and not just consider price alone.”

Dogs were found to be the most susceptible to dental problems as more people with Labradors claimed on their pet insurance.

Siamese cats were shown to be the most likely type of cat to suffer from dental problems.

Gum disease accounted for 66.8 percent of claims made on pet insurance for both cats and dogs, while mouth injury claims accounted for 30.2 percent.

Of those studied, 1.47 million cat and dog owners claimed their pets had suffered from toothache and/ or gum disease over the past year.

According to M&S research, 42 percent of Brits would choose their cat or dog over their partner, highlighting how important animals are in people's lives.

A further 63 percent of cat and dog owners even stated they would cancel a date if their pet was ill.

"Our survey shows that Britain is truly a pet-loving nation,”commented Andrew Ferguson, M&S head of insurance.

Pet insurance can differ in the amount of cover it provides, making it vital that owners check the small print before choosing a certain policy.

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