Oh to have a dog's life this Christmas

OH TO HAVE A DOG'S LIFE THIS CHRISTMAS Marks & Spencer Financial Services warns against fat cats and podgy pooches Research from Marks & Spencer Financial Services shows that our pets are in for a great Christmas with nearly three quarters of all cats and dogs being given special meals and treats over the holiday period. As well as giving pets special food over Christmas, owners will also be splashing out on presents for their pets with two thirds (67 percent) of dog owners and just over half of all cat owners (56 percent) adding their pets to the Christmas present shopping list. The research found that a quarter of all dogs will be dining on the same Christmas dinner as the rest of the family and nearly a third of cats (29 percent) will be given special Christmas treats over the holiday period. Women are the most generous and are a third more likely than men to give their pets some special treats over the Christmas period. However spare a thought for the third of all cats and a quarter of dogs that will be having the same food as always. Although its is fun to celebrate and share Christmas with your pets, vets advise that it's important to protect them against obesity and weight related illnesses by giving them a healthy balanced diet. Neal King vet adviser to Marks & Spencer Pet Insurance, comments, "It's great to celebrate Christmas with your pets and to relax the rules a little, however it is important to maintain a healthy diet for your animals to help prevent against obesity, tooth decay and bad joints. Just like humans that over eat at Christmas, it's important to return to a balanced diet and regular exercise to help keep off the weight." Obesity is a common condition amongst pets with an estimated 40-50 percent of cats and dogs being overweight in the UK*. The research reflects these findings as a fifth of owners feel their pets are over weight (20 percent of cats and 22 percent of dogs) and more than a third of owners (30 per cent cat and 38 per cent of dog) are concerned about their animal's weight. Men are 25 percent more likely to be concerned about their dogs weight than women. Being overweight could increase the risk of your pet becoming unwell and needing treatment. Marks & Spencer Financial Services offers pet insurance that covers up to £6000 per year for veterinary fees, payment of emergency kennel or cattery fees or reimbursement if a holiday is cancelled due to an ill or missing pet. The policy covers most dogs and cats whether pedigree or crossbreeds and all types of ailment including hereditary or congenital diseases. Regional Breakdown The Welsh are twice as likely to give their dogs the same Christmas dinner as the rest of the family than Northerners (35 percent compared to 19 percent) Twice as many Scottish pet owners believe their cats are over weight compared to Londoners or people living in the Midlands. Nearly half of northerners are concerned (42 percent) about their pet's weight compared to less than a third of Scots. 60 percent of pet owners will be spending up to £10 on their pets and a further 10 percent will be spending up to £30 The average expenditure on dogs is £5.88 and for cats it is £5.36. Women spend 25 percent more on their dogs than cats. Scots are the most generous with gifts with three quarters (74 percent) buying their pets a gift compared to just over half (56 percent) of Midlanders Women are more likely to buy a present for their pets (68 percent), compared to just over half of men (53 percent). Ends For further information, contact: Louis Hill, Marks & Spencer Financial Services 01244 686 669 Note to editors ICM Research interviewed a random selection of 1001 adults across Britain aged 18+ between 13-14 November 2002. The policy is underwritten by AXA Insurance Limited. * JLT Group's Pet Nutrition research Details of cover The pricing of the policies are simply split into the three geographical locations of, Greater London, selected counties and the rest of the UK to reflect the discrepancies in veterinary fees charged across these three areas. Greater London Annual Monthly Pedigree Dogs £ 240.96 £20.08 Crossbreed Dogs £ 155.18 £12.93 Cats £ 120.00 £10.00 Hertfordshire, Essex, Kent, Surrey, Buckinghamshire Bedfordshire & Berkshire Annual Monthly Pedigree Dogs £ 204.10 £17.01 Crossbreed Dogs £ 145.18 £12.10 Cats £ 110.00 £9.17 Rest of UK Annual Monthly Pedigree Dogs £ 165.71 £13.81 Crossbreed Dogs £ 135.10 £11.26 Cats £ 100.00 £8.33 Discounts Available · 5% discount for multiple pets insured · 7.5% discount to increase the excess by £10 · 15% discount to increase the excess by £20 · 5% Chargecard Discount if payment made by Chargecard & Marks and Spencer credit card Annual benefits levels Veterinary fees £6000 Complementary treatments £250 Third party liability £2,000,000 Emergency boarding kennels and cattery fees £750 Advertising & reward costs £1,000 Theft or straying £500 Accidental death £1,000 Death by illness £1,000 Holiday cancellation £2,500 · Free overseas cover under the Pet Travel Scheme Vet fees excesses Pets under 8 years at the time of the inception/renewal of the Policy Postcode Dogs Cats E, EC, N, NW, SE, SW, W, WC £80 £70 AL, BR, CM, CO, CR, CT, DA, EN, GU HA, HP, IG, KT, LU, ME, MK, RG, RH, RM, SG, SL, SM, SS, TN, TW, UB, WD £60 £50 Rest of UK postcodes £50 £40 Other excesses Third Party Liability - Dogs & Cats £250 Holiday Cancellation £50 Cover is not available if the: · Pet is less than 8 weeks · Pet is 8 years or over (at inception date) · Pet is used in connection with any trade or business · Pet has been involved in any incident that did, or may, give rise to a claim against you for negligence · Pet or its owner live outside mainland UK, Isle of Man or Channel Islands ------------------------------------------------------------ This information was brought to you by Waymaker http://www.waymaker.net The following files are available for download: http://www.waymaker.net/bitonline/2002/12/04/20021204BIT00930/wkr0001.doc http://www.waymaker.net/bitonline/2002/12/04/20021204BIT00930/wkr0002.pdf