Many pet owners in the UK are passing up taking out insurance in favour of designer outfits and other expensive accessories, it has been suggested.
The importance of taking out pet insurance for beloved domestic animals has been affirmed by provider esure.
According to the insurance firm, purchasing appropriate cover for a pet is much more important than buying it expensive accessories, although, many Britons are currently ignoring this advice, despite lavishing large sums on the animals' upkeep.
Recent research from the firm found that the most expensive breed of dog to own is a Chihuahua, which cost around £90,000 over the course of their lives. Owners of the breed were shown to be two times as likely to pass up standard dog food for the pet in favour of fresh meat, vegetables and gravy. Moreover, Chihuahua owners were also more likely to shell out for accessories such as jewelled collars, personalised beds and designer outfits.
However, a separate study from Sainsbury's Finance shows that this solicitous attitude is not being repeated when it comes to taking out insurance; over 11 million UK dog and cat owners were found to not have purchased the cover. Around four in ten of this total have decided against insurance due to the fact they "don't think it is necessary", while a further ten per cent consider it "too expensive".
Asia Manzoor, a spokesperson for esure pet insurance, said: "Today's household pets are treated more like members of the family and this new attitude is reflected in the amount owners spend on their pet's lifestyle. Despite this, many pets remain uninsured.
"Vets' fees can be very expensive and owners should bear in mind that, ultimately, their pet's health is more important than the latest dog accessories or expensive treats."
