THOUSANDS of dog and cat owners are being issued a stark warning ahead of Easter that could see their pet insurance premiums spike.
Most of us love a chocolate egg over the Bank Holiday, but let your pooch or feline snaffle one up and it might cost you.
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Data from online vet consultation service PawSquad, in collaboration with Admiral Insurance, has revealed that phone calls about chocolate poisoning in cats and dogs doubled last Easter.
Most pet insurance policies will cover you if your pet eats chocolate or any other food stuff they shouldn’t have, but of course it means your premiums will soar when it comes to renewing your policy.
Not only that – eating chocolate can also make your pooch or feline seriously ill or even prove fatal.
Pritpal Powar, head of pet insurance at Admiral, said: “Easter can be a busy time and it’s easy to be distracted with visitors in our homes.
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“This can mean that pets are more likely to overindulge in table scraps and non-pet foods given by owners or well-meaning house guests.
“Some of these can be dangerous for dogs and cats.”
It’s not just chocolate which can cause serious illness in your dog or cat, Admiral said.
You’ll also want to avoid letting your pets snaffle up any grapes, raisins, onions, garlic or chives.
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Nuts, milk and dairy products, as well as cooked bones are all worth keeping away from your furry friends too.
But there are some foods you can let domestic animals eat, including apples, carrots and plain, boiled chicken breast.
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That said, it’s important cats don’t eat the stems, leaves or seeds of an apple, and that you cook carrots for them so they don’t choke.
Dogs and cats are also safe to eat blueberries and white rice, although rice should only be eaten in moderation by cats.
How else to save money on pet insurance
The Association of British Insurers (ABI) says a whopping 4.3million UK pets are protected by insurance.
But 39% of dogs and 41% of cats still don’t have a policy in place in case something goes wrong.
The average cost of owning a pet can be anywhere between £4,500 and £30,000 over the course of their lifetime without pet insurance, according the ABI, so it’s definitely worth taking it out.
What to do if your cat or dog eats something it shouldn’t
Dr Mark Boddy, chief executive officer of PawSquad, has shared five pieces of advice on what to do if your pooch or feline eats something it shouldn’t:
- Assess the situation: Firstly, assess the amount and the type of chocolate which has been ingested and reach out to a vet immediately. Dark chocolate and cocoa contain higher levels of theobromine, which is toxic to pets. The smaller the pet, the more dangerous even a small amount can be.
- Keep a close eye on your pet: Symptoms of chocolate toxicity can include vomiting and diarrhoea, restlessness, or rapid breathing and heart rate. If your pet shows severe symptoms such as seizures or loss of consciousness, head to an emergency vet immediately.
- Ensure your pet stays hydrated: Offer water if your pet is stable but avoid home remedies for inducing vomiting without veterinary guidance.
- Speak to a vet as soon as possible: They’ll ask about the type of chocolate amount ingested and your pet size, so follow their guidance on what to do next. However, for bank holidays and times where your nearest in-person vet centres are closed, our friendly vets are online 24/7 to offer help and guidance.
- Remember, chocolate toxicity is a serious matter: By acting swiftly and seeking professional help, you can give your pet the best chance of a full recovery.
But if you’re worried about the ongoing cost, there are ways to save money.
There are different levels of protection you can buy, with more basic plans tending to cost less.
Of course, this could mean there’s a cap on how much the insurer will pay out in the event of an accident.
You can also up the excess on a pet insurance policy which will lower the cost of the premium, but means you’ll have to pay out more if something happens.
A fixed excess amount on a pet insurance policy is typically £100 to £200, according to GoCompare, but you might also be asked to pay a percentage excess, for example 10% of the claim amount.
When it comes to actually buying a pet insurance policy, it’s worth shopping around for the best deals via comparison sites.
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MoneySupermarket, Comparethemarket, Gocompare and Confused.com all allow customers to compare different policies.
Different comparison sites cover different insurers too, so it’s worth trying to find the best deal across all of them rather than just using one at a time.
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