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The real costs of looking after your pet
It’s cheaper to service a Mazda RX8 than a Border Collie, says new research by Churchill Pet Insurance. The ‘Mutts v. Motors Service League Table’ was compiled in a bid to gain a better understanding of costs involved in owning a dog and the results are revealing to say the least. While the average cost to service a car comes in at just £120, dog health checks come in 30 percent higher at an average of £160.
Mutts v. Motors Service League Table
|
Dog breed |
Cost* |
Car make |
Cost** |
|
|
Bulldog |
£192 |
VW Golf |
£170 |
|
|
Great Dane |
£192 |
Ford Focus |
£168 |
|
|
Border Terrier |
£154 |
Ford Mondeo |
£120 |
|
|
Border Collie |
£154 |
Mazda RX8 |
£104 |
|
|
Chihuahua |
£135 |
Mini |
£90 |
|
|
Small/Medium Mongrel |
£135 |
Ford Ka |
£70 |
|
|
Average cost |
£160 |
Average cost |
£120 |
|
A pet health check comprises annual vaccinations, flea treatment and worming treatment, dental check-up, weight checks, diet advice and urine check, while a full service on a car generally involves checking lights, seats, doors, tyres, brakes, suspension, engine and gear box and replacing the engine oil.
Research by Churchill Pet Insurance has shown that 85 percent of dog owners do not initially realise what huge costs are involved with caring for their pet. On top of food, grooming and kennels there are vet bills to be taken into account, and all these expenses can add up to up to £20,000 over a dog’s lifetime.
Julie Owens, Head of Pet Insurance at Churchill, commented: “It’s important to have annual pet health checks to ensure your pet remains fit and healthy and to help prevent unforeseen, expensive surprises later down the line. Only one in five dogs in the UK is currently insured***, but from just 21p a day dog-owners can relax safe in the knowledge that, should the worst happen, unexpected vet bills up to the value of £3,000 will be covered****. Car insurance is key to dealing with the financial consequences of an accident, and pet owners too can help protect themselves in worrying times by insuring their pet.”
*Quotes for health checks, supplied by qualified vet Nick Mills, include annual vaccinations, flea treatment, worming treatment, dental check up, weight checks and diet advice, urine check
**Quotes supplied by selection of car dealers within the Birmingham area on 26.7.05
***Datamonitor Pet Market Research, 2005
****Churchill Pet Insurance does not cover annual health checks.
For more information please contact:
Emilie Lien
Churchill Insurance
020 8313 5830
