Britons have been warned that veterinary bills can end up costing thousands of pounds.
People giving or receiving a pet this Christmas should be aware of the potential cost of medical treatment for their animal, according to the Association of British Insurers (ABI).
The ABI recently commissioned a study which found that almost a third of people would think about giving someone a pet for Christmas. However, few realise just how much treatment can cost if the animal becomes ill.
"If they need veterinary treatment, bills can run into hundreds or even thousands of pounds," claimed ABI director of general insurance and health Nick Starling.
People considering buying a pet should think about whether they can afford not just the animal - but insurance for it as well, he added.
"Having pet insurance in place means that pet owners can have the confidence that their pets will get the best treatment without having to find money to cover large bills," Mr Starling said. "This is even more important during hard economic times when household finances are already stretched."
The warning echoes a similar claim from Mike Powell, principal consultant for genera insurance at Defaqto. He said last week that - while cancelling it may seem like a good way to save money - pet insurance "should be seen as a part of the overall care for your pet".
