Pet pre-nups

One in ten Brits are so besotted with their dog or cat they have considered agreeing a pet pre-nuptial in case they split-up, a new survey has revealed.

But that’s just the tip of the ice berg when it comes to how far owners will go to show their love for their pets.

The poll for Petplan, the UK’s largest pet insurer, found that nearly one in five owners would put their pet’s needs first when they are buying a new house.

One third would even go to the lengths of re-designing their garden to make it more suitable for their dog or cat to play in.

Petplan surveyed more than 2,000 owners across the country to find out just how far they would go to make their pet happy.

A quarter of dog and cat owners admitted loving their pet as much as their children.

That would explain why so many have considered drawing up a legally binding document to decide who gets custody if a marriage or long term relationship breaks down.

Nearly a fifth are considering giving the special animal in their life a proper burial – including a special grave or cremation at a pet cemetery.

But it’s Christmas and birthdays when pet owners’ affection really spills over.

More than 60 per cent buy their pets Christmas presents, nearly a quarter buy prezzies at birthday while 27 per cent buy gifts for their cat or dog simply for ‘being a good friend’.

Petplan spokeswoman Fiona Pinkney said: ‘This survey shows that pet owners are prepared to make huge sacrifices to ensure their cats and dogs have the best of everything.

‘It shows in many households that pets really do come first.

‘Pet owners take a huge responsibility for their animals and treat them as a member of the family.’

Pet Plan pet insurance