British pay more attention to sick pets than sick partners

Dog-loving Britons have taken 2.7 million working days off to care for their sick pets over the last two years, according to a survey on Thursday.

Ten per cent of owners missed five days of work, with half of these taking up to two weeks off to look after their pets.

Britons are so concerned about their dogs' well-being that 55 per cent admitted they paid more attention to sick pets than an ill partner.

Fifty-three per cent of owners also said they bought their dogs a present if their pets were feeling under the weather.

The survey, for Direct Line Pet Insurance, polled 750 British dog owners.

- REUTERS