Out of all the dog breeds, the most likely of dogs to develop problems with their teeth are Labradors and have the largest number of doggy dental insurance claims across the UK.

The research has been categorised into regions and found that dogs in the East of the UK in particular the East Midlands had the most dental problems although there was no real connection at all with location and maybe simply a statistical anomaly

So how often do you check your dogs teeth? Prevention is better than cure, says Lucy Hunter of Sainsbury’s Pet Insurance:

“Owners should take their pets to the vet for regular dental checks and take professional advice to reduce the risk of problems occurring. Also, when looking at pet insurance policies, owners should choose very carefully and not just consider price alone.”

“Investing in a good quality policy that offers a high level of cover, including dental cover, will ensure that the family pet is well cared for and you won’t have to worry about costly treatments.” [Source - moneyhighstreet.com]

If you care about the health or your dog and the health of your dogs teeth in particular, then you should check that your dog insurance policy covers various the forms of dental treatment without stinging your wallet. Why not use searchandapply.co.uk to help you compare dog insurance providers today and find a competitive yet comprehensive policy online today.

It is virtually certain that your dog will need to see a vet at some point during its lifetime the same way that humans very rarely go through life without needing to see a doctor, but unlike us, dogs do not have the luxury of the NHS!

Data from pet insurance information website insureyourpet.co.uk suggests that 80% of aged dogs make claims on their older dog insurance each year however according to other statistics, more than 30% of all dog owners do not have cover at all. Because of this shocking number, dog insurance costs are increasing and according to Datamonitor this could continue. The data collating company has said that rising inflation is causing insurance premiums to increase by up to 15% as providers pass these increased operating costs onto the customers.

Avoid increasing dog insurance costs – searching for cheap quotes online by using a dog insurance comparison website is a great way of finding competitive quotes from dog insurance providers to cover your best friend.

In what can only be described as a nothing short of a miracle the 12 year old springer, called Sharna, was found swimming in the sea by the RNLI lifeboat crew, who were gob-smacked the dog had survived. Even the dog’s owner was so over come by the shock of the incident that she too required medical attention.

Nigel Atkinson, RNLI volunteer lifeboat crew member, said: “The dog was frightened and shaking, but appeared otherwise unharmed. It is vitally important that people keep their dogs on leads when walking them on the cliff top to avoid this happening. Owners often get into serious danger trying to rescue their pets themselves, thankfully this time there was a happy ending, but this is not always the case.” [Source - bbc.co.uk]

It has been reported that during 2010 there were 227 dog accidents on British coasts that needed the assistance of the emergency services, demonstrating to dog owners the importance of having dog insurance in place to cover injuries, trauma or medical treatment resulting from such unexpected events.

Another fascinating fact is that 15% of men are more likely to cancel social engagements to look after their dogs too evening cancelling special celebrations such as birthdays or weddings.

The fact is that unless you are a dog owner than it is difficult to understand the attachment that some people have with their dogs. They are like part of the family in many cases and men more than women feel the need to protect family members.

However despite the love, care and attention that dog owners display for their best friends the research also found that more than 30% of dog owners do not have dog insurance.

Insurance is not just there for covering vet bills, it can also help with the costs associated with finding your pet. For example MORE TH>N will cover up to £600 to help with advertising costs in the local paper and for producing posters of the missing pet. [Source - Easier.com]

When your dog is sick or has had an accident, the unexpected cost of taking them to the vets can be tough and many dog owners find it hard to afford, especially if treatment is more long term or if an operation is required. Dog insurance can help protect you as a dog owner against these sudden costs and not only cover the cost of treatment but provides the ongoing reassurance that should your dog need treatment in the future there will be no hefty vets bills.

So what are the benefits of having dog insurance?

Dog insurance in general provides a level of cover for vets bills in the event your dog is ill, injured or requires some sort of medical treatment. Other benefits may include:

• 3rd party liability protection, should your dog hurt someone or cause damage/destruction to another person’s property
• The cost of your holiday if it is cancelled because your pet needs emergency surgery close to departure
• “Life insurance” covering the purchase price of your dog should they die before a certain age.
• Surgery/medical treatment costs, covering the fees involved should your dog require hospitalization for a period of time

The levels of cover provided by different dog insurance companies can vary considerably. If you are looking to take out dog insurance you should carefully consider the level of cover that is right for your needs.

“The Conservatives labelled the proposal a “dog tax,” while insurers said that the scheme could work only if a separate proposal for compulsory microchipping of dogs was also introduced, in order for the authorities to check whether animals were insured.” [Source: telegraph.co.uk]

Many dog insurance companies and charities are opposed to the proposal citing that police and authorities would need to provide significant resources in order to correctly monitor the new regulations and would likely result in increased costs for the majority of law-abiding dog owners.

Times have changed dramatically since 1957. Hundreds of insurers in the UK and around the world are now offering a seemingly infinite number of options, plans and dog insurance schemes which vary in levels of cover and of course price. With so many insurance companies to choose from today, there is no better way to compare dog insurance than to jump online and get a competitive quote over the internet.

The editor of Good Housekeeping magazine, Ms. Bloor who comments on the findings of the research, stated, “We hope this study will help people understand that pets can be expensive and go some way towards stopping unwanted healthy animals being left at rescue centres…” She expects the information with heko to reduce the number of abandoned dogs and other pets.

A detailed table of expenses associated with owning a pet is available on several websites, like This is Money and NatMags. According to the table, food is the number 1 expense, followed by vet bills and boarding kennel. MoneyAvenue reminds you not to forget to insure your pet. This is not as expensive as it might seem; the average cost of annual pet insurance stands at £204. [Source: moneyavenue.co.uk]