A dog's life: £1.5 billion* on annual vet fees

Direct Line Pet Insurance offers to pay towards pet vaccinations

Each year, many dogs and cats fall sick from illnesses that could have been prevented with vaccinations, such as canine flu, kennel cough and other respiratory diseases.

Yet research for Direct Line Pet Insurance reveals that many pet owners are putting their pets at risk as one in 10 (11 per cent) admit their dog or cat's jabs are not up-to-date.

For many, cost is an issue and a trip to the vet doesn't come cheap - dog owners alone spend a staggering £1.5 billion on vet fees each year.

However, according to Direct Line, 62 per cent of dog owners don't have insurance in place to cover costs so they have to resort to other measures to pay for their pet's treatment.

Worryingly, 17 per cent have delayed treatment for their pet in an attempt to avoid the costs.

Chris Price, Head of Direct Line Pet Insurance, said: "Our research shows that one in ten owners admit their dogandrsquo;s vaccinations are not up-to-date.

However, regular vaccinations can play a major role in disease prevention in dogs and cats and help to ensure that they remain in the best of health.

"Direct Line Pet Insurance is aware that the costs of vaccinations can be a daunting prospect for pet owners and so we are offering our new customers £20 towards that cost to help them immunise their pets." Victoria Stilwell - Celebrity Dog training Expert from Channel 4's "It's Me or the Dog!" comments: "Providing your dog or cat with good health care is paramount to being a responsible owner.

Vaccination prevents many debilitating and sometimes fatal diseases that would need veterinary intervention and ensures that your pet lives a longer, healthier life." Direct Line Pet Insurance offers: Insure more than one pet with Direct Line and customers receive a discount.

Direct Line can pay the vet direct A pet is covered per condition, so there's no restriction on the number of times a customer can claim.

There is a fixed one-off excess for each condition If a policyholder is hospitalised, Direct Line will pay up to £1000 for the pet's boarding costs.

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