Pets have been hit hard by the recession says More Than pet insurance. Two recent surveys revealed shocking facts regarding pet owners in the UK, usually known for being such pet lovers.

1. 10% of UK pet owners would consider prescribing and administering medicine to their pet themselves rather than going to the vet, in order to save money.

With 60% of owners also admitting they don’t know enough about pet health to recognise when their pet is sick, the insurer commented: “Self prescribing human medicine for an animal can have serious repercussions, with vets warning prolonged use of human painkillers such as Ibuprofen can lead to kidney failure or stomach ulcers which if left unchecked can prove fatal for dogs.”

2. Over 2/3 of owners would also refuse giving up on “life’s little luxuries” like going out for meal in order to pay for veterinary fees.

As a result, the insurer said that more than 780,000 animals may be put to sleep instead of receiving treatment. Head of Marketing Peter Markey commented: “Times are tough at the moment and the research shows that our pets are amongst the first to feel the bite”.

In both cases, just a few pounds a month can ensure you don’t have to give anything up in order to care for your pet. Pet insurance premiums start from less than £5 a month.

Look out for cheap pet insurance and buy online to benefit from great discounts.