Brits care more about their pet's welfare and comfort than their own

It comes as no surprise that the UK is a nation of pet lovers and a recent survey suggests that for many of us, they are the number one priority. Latest figures from PDSA reveal that there are 10.9 million cats and 9.9 million dogs living in UK households.

A study of 2,000 besotted cat and dog owners by Confused.com reveals the lengths brits go to to keep their beloved animal cosy. On average Brits are spending nearly £600m more on energy bills for their pets through leaving the TV, lighting, heating, and fans on just for them.

See the full breakdown of costs here:https://www.confused.com/gas-electricity/energy-for-pets

Key findings include:

• Brits are spending nearly £600m more on energy bills to keep their furry friend cosy and comfortable at home.
• Nearly one in 10 (8%) pet owners admitted to being unsure of how to save without sacrificing their animals’ comfort and happiness
• 22% of Brits are willing to spend more on energy bills to provide comfort for their pet, with 13% of pet owners admitting to powering up an electric heating source for their furry friend 3-7 times a week
• More than half of Brits (55%) confessed that their pets being comfortable makes them happy 
• Dogs owners across the UK are spending £33.7 million on washing their four-legged friend in the bath
• The study also reveals that dogs receive more luxuries than cats do, with 7% of dog owners cooking them food to give them something warm to eat, compared to just 3% of cat owners.
• 28% of pet owners put the radio on every day for their pets while 25% leave the television on every day
• Cat owners use the most energy to keep their pets pampered at an average cost of £858 per cat over their lifespan while dog owners spend slightly less at £675
• Pet owners in Oxford spend the most money on energy for their pets by a big margin, at an average of £296.02 per pet per year, followed by Worcester at £208.93

Reducing the energy we use

To help pet owners make savings, Confused.com has partnered with Caroline Wilkinson, certified animal behaviourist and founder of BarketPlace. Caroline has explained how people can reduce the energy they use for their pets, without sacrificing their comfort.

Here are some of her top tips: 

1. Rely on natural light – pets are less accustomed to artificial light than us humans. By switching on a light, you may be disturbing their rest.
2. Reposition your pets’ bed – have your dog’s bed placed in a warm corner of the room where they’ll also get access to natural daylight.
3. Use layered blankets – if your pets’ bed is well insulated, you shouldn’t need to switch the heating on or use an electric heating source!
4. Opt for low-energy background noise – if your pets don’t react well to silence, use a radio or a low-energy white noise machine, instead of a TV. 
5. Bath your pet on warm days – if you’re bathing your pet, ensure they’ll be able to dry naturally rather than using a blow-dryer.