LEADING VET: Over half of puppies and kittens seek vet care within their first two years

More than one in two puppies and kittens (56%) have needed veterinary treatment within the first couple of years of their lives, with seven percent requiring surgery and two percent passing away before they turned two. 

The research, by London's first all-inclusive vet clinic Snoots Vet, also found that more than one in five (22%) of these treatments weren't covered by pet insurance and 31% were only partially covered.  

Given how many unsuspecting owners are having to visit the vet early in their pet's life, it has left 87% of owners terrified of a huge bill every time they visit the vet.

And it's no wonder as these vet bills can be costly. Pet owners have stated that their average annual vet bills costs around £573. These health problems have led to almost three-quarters (73%) of pet owners saying they would do things differently next time. 

If they were to get a new puppy or kitten, they would do research in advance (24%), they wouldn't get the same pet type or breed again (21%), they wouldn't get a dog again but perhaps a cat (17%) and 6% would do all of those things. 

Founder of Snoots Vet, Jonathan Moyal, said: "I can't stress how important it is that a future puppy or kitten owner does their research into the background of the pet and the breeder, so they know exactly what they are getting. The last thing you want is a surprise that you weren't told about, that means you have to visit the vet and end up with your pet needing lifetime treatment or even worse, not making it into adulthood. 

"All too often vets are seeing young pets – sometimes several times – in their early years and this can mean that the bills quickly rise in traditional vets. It can be easy to quickly fall in love with a pet at first sight but ensure you do due diligence when looking for a furry friend." 

Snoots Vet is aiming to shake up the veterinary industry and make it more affordable for pet owners, but offering a flat rate fixed monthly membership of £33 a month which covers pretty much everything your pet insurance doesn't, including health checks, vaccinations, x-rays, travel documents and neutering.