Pampered pooches need pet insurance

Posted : 19-10-2005

Forget a new flea collar or the leftovers from the turkey for Christmas, today's pets are used to much finer living – with Britons shelling out £400 million a year for pet beauty products.

Now no longer confined to America or the rich and famous, 'pet pampering' has become the latest vogue, with sales of dog nail varnish, hairspray and hair dye increasing by more than 60 per cent in the last year.

Whilst 291 new products were launched in the UK last year, a staggering 465 were released in 2005, according to research company Mintel.

"On an extreme level, we have even seen cosmetic products that allow pets to imitate their owners' beauty regimes," said David Jago, Mintel's director of its Global New Products Database.

"For many pet owners, their animals are as loved and pampered as their own children, and deserve to be groomed and cared for with the best products."

And, just like their owners, British pets are inundated with methods of fighting the 21st century anxieties of stress and obesity.

Anti-stress products have become all the rage for owners who feel guilty about leaving their pets alone for too long, whilst animal weight-loss products are now available for pets that do not get enough exercise.

Pet insurance is an essential requirement for the nation's beloved companions, in case the worst happens and veterinary bills become too high – or Rover breaks a freshly manicured claw.


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