Pet Insurance News Saga Pet Insurance Finds Companions Not Forgotten At Christmas

Written by Editorial Team

17 December 2009 / by Rachael Stiles

Pets will not be forgotten this Christmas, with more than half getting a present under the tree from their owners, research from Saga pet insurance has found.

More than 50 per cent of cat and dog owners will get their pet a Christmas present this year, while more than a lucky quarter of pets will be getting an entire Christmas stocking to themselves.

Not only will they have a present to open on Christmas morning along with their generous human companions, but 18 per cent will also enjoy a traditional Christmas dinner with turkey and all the trimmings, according to the Saga pet insurance study.

Christmas is seen by many as an excuse to loosen the belt and tuck into extra treats, and some pet owners will extend this to their pets, but the over 50s pet insurance generation will be spoiling their pets with fewer treats than their younger counterparts.

For pets of the under 50s, 37 per cent will get extra food such as chocolate, while in comparison, 30 per cent of over 50s will feed their pets such fattening treats this festive season.

Comparison website GoCompare has also found that owners plan to spoil there pets at Christmas, spending a total of £157million this festive season – more than they spend on their partners for 14 per cent of Brits.

Lee Griffin, business development director at Gocompare.com, commented that because pets are often an integral part of the family, it is understandable that people want to treat them to a special Christmas.

He said, “it looks like catnip advent calendars and Santa costumes for dogs are set to become Christmas traditions in this country.

“However, it is important to remember that caring for our pets doesn’t just mean including them in the Christmas celebrations. Vet’s bills can rival the post-Christmas January credit card statement when it comes to unwelcome surprises, therefore having insurance to cover such events can make a lot of sense.”

© Fair Investment Company Ltd