Results reveal cost of living is negatively impacting pet wellbeing.

The 2023 PDSA Animal Wellbeing (PAW) Report has been launched. It has revealed that the cost of living is having a negative impact on the wellbeing of the nation’s pets.

The results show that 22 per cent of owners say that the cost of living crisis has affected how they care for their pet, with 34 per cent making cost-saving decisions so they can continue to care for their pet.

This is reflected by the views of veterinary professionals, with 56 per cent saying that more clients are unable to pay for unexpected veterinary bills. Fifty-two per cent are noticing that clients are delaying taking their ill pet to veterinary appointments, and 46 per cent say more clients cannot afford vaccinations.

For the PAW report, data was collected from 5,507 dog, cat and rabbit owners aged over the age of 18 who live in the UK. They were surveyed between 23 December 2022 and 18 January 2023. A total of 745 veterinary professionals were surveyed between 6 January and 13 February 2023.

BVA senior vice president Justine Shotton said: “The PAW Report is a vital piece of research offering an invaluable snapshot of the ‘state of the nation’s’ pets. We know from BVA’s own research the impact the cost-of-living crisis is having on the wellbeing of some pets, and this new PAW Report data provides vital insight from an owner’s perspective.”

The report highlights a number of other issues including rabbits being kept individually, without companionship from their own species, and in poor environments. Cats with inadequate resources, and dogs with behavioural issues. It also shows that there has been an increase in the number of pets being sourced from abroad.

PDSA senior veterinary surgeon Sean Wensley said: “Sadly, the PAW Report continues to find that many of the welfare concerns highlighted over the past 13 years remain, including the proportion of rabbits kept in unsuitable environments, behavioural concerns in dogs and the uptake of preventive healthcare in cats. Alongside this, we are seeing emerging issues such as the rise of canine fertility clinics and the importation of pets, including those with mutilations.”

The full report can be viewed online.