| Choosing the right pet insurance policy is crucial. | | | | per cent of them which have a very low cap limit on |
| Such is the assertion of Ricky Thomas, managing | | | | a condition and sometimes it's not even per year. We |
| director of Petmeds, who claims that an increasing | | | | would encourage anyone to get insurance and [to |
| number of Britons are looking to buy a domestic | | | | purchase this] from day one." |
| animal. However, he warned that as consumers are | | | | Meanwhile, research from the firm last year also |
| increasingly wanting a "particular breed" of creature, | | | | showed that an estimated 1.3 million Britons were |
| some owners may suffer from a lack of "training and | | | | planning to buy a dog for Christmas, with 875,000 |
| knowledge" when they have actually got an animal. | | | | looking to get a cat. In addition, the cost of vet fees |
| This was particularly reported to be relevant for | | | | and medication for animals was revealed to have |
| those who have Staffordshire bull terriers. In addition, | | | | reached its highest-ever level. Over the past 12 |
| Mr Thomas stated that many people could find | | | | months, such expenses have increased by about |
| having a pet will cost them a "fortune" over the | | | | seven per cent. |
| course of the animal's lifespan. | | | | For those looking to fund the purchase of an animal, |
| Indeed, pet-owners who do not have a sufficient | | | | particularly for one that is a rare breed and |
| policy, or do not even have cover at all, may find | | | | thoroughbred, a personal loan could prove to be of |
| their finances coming under pressure if they have to | | | | help. |
| meet the expense of medical treatment for their | | | | Upon taking out a loan, new pet owners may |
| animal themselves. This could lead to difficulties in | | | | discover that the financial assistance that such |
| paying back the likes of personal loans, credit cards | | | | borrowing provides might help them to meet various |
| and overdrafts. | | | | other demands on money having an animal can entail, |
| Mr Thomas went on to claim that those considering | | | | such as food and medication. Indeed, a personal loan |
| getting a pet should take their time in selecting the | | | | could be especially helpful for those who do not have |
| animal of their choice as possible to make sure that it | | | | the financial cover that pet insurance can provide. |
| is the right one of them. He added: "People like it if | | | | Such borrowing could be useful for a significant |
| they do their own research - generally you can sway | | | | number of people, after a Halifax study indicated |
| your own decision, whether it's buying a car or | | | | about two-thirds (59 per cent) of dog and cat |
| buying a dog. The problem is, you can get rid of | | | | owners underestimate vet bills and food expenses by |
| some sorts of things quite easily - these | | | | up to 103 per cent before getting their animal. Vicky |
| commodities. With animals, you can't." | | | | Watson, spokesperson for the financial services firm, |
| He said: "It's very important they choose the right | | | | suggested that planning spending was particularly |
| policy ... the most important thing is that there are | | | | helpful as the cost of upkeep swings "enormously" |
| brands out there who say they will pay for the life | | | | from pet to pet. |
| of that treatment, whereas there are probably 90 | | | | |