More than one in ten pet owners are skipping vital vet check-ups
Experts warn about the importance of keeping your pet healthy with regular vet appointments
New research from comparison experts Go.Compare has found that more than one in ten pet owners DON’T take their pets for regular check-ups at the vets.
The data, which also shows that 62% of Brits surveyed own pets, found that 12% of pet owners only make an appointment with the vet if they think something is wrong with their pet, meaning thousands are not being seen regularly for check-ups.* This figure rises to 20% for pet owners aged 55 and above.
The survey, which questioned 2,000 people throughout the UK, also found that 41% of pet owners take their pets to the vets more than once a year, and four in ten people (40%) take them about once a year.
4% admitted they only visit the vet with their pet every 2-3 years, while 2% said they went less than every 3 years.
Rhys Jones, Go.Compare pet insurance expert said: “These figures show that we are certainly a nation of pet lovers with 62% owning pets, but it’s worrying to see that more than one in ten pet owners only take their animals to the vet if they think that something is wrong. Regular and routine check-ups not only help your pet stay fit and well but also help avoid even bigger pay-outs to the vet if any treatment or medication is required.
“It’s likely pet owners are put off by the rising costs of vet visits, but that’s where pet insurance can help. While it’s not a legal requirement to insure your pet, it’s something responsible pet owners should consider. Most cats and dogs will, unfortunately need treatment for an illness or injury at some point in their life and veterinary treatment can be eye-wateringly expensive. Pet insurance gives you peace of mind that you’ll be able to cover the costs of medical treatment should something happen to your pet.
“Choosing the right pet insurance is a big part of being a responsible owner. If you’re looking to make pet insurance more affordable, here are some tips that may help:
- Spay or neuter your pets: Spaying and neutering can help prevent unwanted litters and reduce aggressive tendencies, as well as reduce the risks of certain health conditions, meaning that some insurers might lower the premium they offer.
- Look for multi-pet discounts: If you have a few pets, some insurers offer discounts for insuring more than one pet on the same policy. These discounts can help you save significantly, especially if each pet’s policy is otherwise costly.
- Shop around: One of the easiest ways to save money on pet insurance, and still make sure you are getting the coverage you need for your pet, is to shop around. Price comparison websites like Go.Compare makes it easy to compare your options in one place.
- Ask about flexible payment options: Some insurers allow you to pay premiums annually rather than monthly, which can offer savings if you can afford the one-off payment.”
For more information about pet insurance, go to: https://www.gocompare.com/pet-insurance/
Contact Information
Rubie Barker
Notes to editors
*The research was conducted by Censuswide, among a sample of 2,000 nationally representative UK respondents (aged 16+). 1234 of those surveyed said they owned a pet(s) and were therefore asked ‘How often do you take your pet(s) to the vets for a check-up?’ The data was collected between 09.07.2025 - 11.07.2025. Censuswide abides by and employs members of the Market Research Society and follows the MRS code of conduct and ESOMAR principles. Censuswide is also a member of the British Polling Council.
For further information please contact:
Lynsey Walden on lynsey.walden@gocompare.com, or Kath Chadwick on Kathryn.chadwick@gocompare.com
Keep up-to-date with Go.Compare on X (Twitter); @GoCompare
About Go.Compare
Go.Compare is a comparison website that enables people to compare the costs and features of a wide variety of insurance policies, financial products and energy tariffs.
It does not charge people to use its services and does not accept advertising or sponsored listings, so all product comparisons are unbiased. Go.Compare makes its money through fees paid by the providers of products that appear on its various comparison services when a customer buys through the site.
When it launched in 2006, it was the first comparison site to focus on displaying policy details rather than just listing prices, with the aim of helping people to make better-informed decisions when buying their insurance. It is this approach to comparing products that secured the company an invitation to join the British Insurance Brokers’ Association (BIBA) in 2008, and it is still the only comparison site to be a member of this organisation.
Go.Compare has remained dedicated to helping people choose the most appropriate products rather than just the cheapest and works with Defaqto, the independent financial researcher, to integrate additional policy information into a number of its insurance comparison services. This allows people to compare up to an extra 30 features of cover.
Go.Compare is part of Future Plc and is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).
More information can be found here www.gocompare.com or here https://www.futureplc.com/brands/.