After filling their pets with treats, consumers could find that they have not only expanded the waist size of their dogs and cats but have also increased the amount of financial pressure that they come under, it has been suggested.

In research carried out by RIAS it was revealed that half of the country’s pets – the equivalent of about seven million animals – are currently overweight as a result of being regularly fed sweet foods such as chocolate, hot cross buns and biscuits. Furthermore, it was indicated that with significant numbers of pets chowing down on human snacks over the Easter holidays, many more of the country’s four-legged friends could again be doing this over the forthcoming May bank holiday.

Additionally, it was pointed out that not only do the nation’s pets regularly wolf down sweet treats, they are also not getting enough exercise. Meanwhile, the insurance firm stated that British cats and dogs are among the most obese animals throughout Europe. Citing findings by the British Veterinary Association and the RSPCA it was indicated that allowing pets to eat too much food will make them more susceptible to developing circulation and respiration problems as well as serious medical conditions such as diabetes. Furthermore, it was also claimed that overfed animals may face a reduced life expectancy.

At the moment it was indicated that Britons are spending more than 1.5 million pounds on veterinary bills each year. However as pets become increasingly larger and fatter as a result of unhealthy eating, it was pointed out that the cost of treatment for animals will also rise. In particular, the firm reported that consumers who do not have a pet insurance policy will find that they are “hit hardest in the pocket”.

For those who find that they unexpectedly have to pay for a vet bill running into thousands of pounds, it may be possible that people struggle to manage other demands on their spending. This could include areas such as personal loans, household bills, credit and store cards and mortgage repayments.

Commenting on the figures, Janet Connor, managing director at RIAS, said: “Clearly protecting the health and wellbeing of pets is of paramount importance – after all, they are usually considered part of the family. We strongly advise that owners take preventative action rather than wait until a serious problem occurs. And of course, taking out a pet insurance policy can give pet owners additional peace of mind for those times when medical intervention and vet bills become unavoidable.”

When purchasing a dog or cat, taking out a personal loan might be of assistance, particularly for those who want to acquire a rare breed of animal. By doing so, borrowers could find that they can buy a prized pet quickly and are left with an affordable level of repayments to make. In addition, the financial help that a loan brings could help borrowers to take out a comprehensive insurance policy to help negate the prospects of being hit with costly bills for medical treatment. Getting a loan to assist with vet expenses may be particularly recommended after the RSPCA recently pointed out that certain breeds of animal are more susceptible to different conditions than others, stating labradors are more likely to get hip dysplasia. In addition, it was shown that the average bill for pet treatment stands at 220 pounds.

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