British pet owners are being burdened with hundreds of millions on home repairs due to damage caused by their pets, a recent study revealed.
According to research conducted by Novuna Personal Finance, 75% of British pet owners have had to deal with property damage because of their pets’ antics, leading to a collective repair bill of £627 million.
Dogs have been identified as the leading culprits, responsible for over £348 million in damages, while cats have caused £279 million worth of destruction.
The study, which surveyed 2,040 UK homeowners aged between 23 and 50, further breaks down the types of damage incurred, with soiled carpets and damaged flooring topping the list, affecting 50% of those surveyed.
Chewed furniture is another common issue, reported by 32% of pet owners, while 23% have had to repair ripped furniture, 13% torn curtains, and 10% electrical damage due to their pets.
This situation has prompted nearly a third (32%) of homeowners, equivalent to over two million individuals, to make alterations to their homes to mitigate the impact of their pets’ behaviour.
This includes homeowners across the UK making their properties more pet-friendly, with Londoners (49%) leading the trend, followed by residents of Wales (37%), the East Midlands (35%), and other regions.
“Despite being a nation of pet lovers, the damage caused by our unruly four-legged friends is leaving an unexpected hole in homeowners’ pockets, as well as their furnishings. With eye-watering repair bills of over £1,000 for many households, it demonstrates the lengths we’ll go to keep our furry friends happy, but also the importance of planning for unexpected costs,” director of marketing Theresa Lindsay said.
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