Survey reveals Top 10 unluckiest pet names
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If you have a pampered pet named Bruno then you’d better beware – it’s just been crowned the unluckiest pet name in the UK!
Hapless hounds and unfortunate felines named Bruno are nearly SIX times more likely to be the subject of pet insurance claims than pets named Luna – which is the nation’s luckiest name*, according to research carried out by PDSA Petsurance.
Claims made for calamitous canines named Bruno include everything from emergency treatment for injuries such as those caused by playing fetch with sticks and eating things they shouldn’t, to serious diseases such as cancer and lifelong illnesses like epilepsy.
Also on the ill-fated unlucky list were pets called Cassie, Henry, Tia and Buster, who were all up to five times more likely to be the subject of pet insurance claims than lucky Luna. At the more fortunate end of the scale, Luna was joined by Olly, Skye, Freddie, Coco and Paddy in being the least likely to need an insurance claim.
Richard Hooker, PDSA’s Director of Veterinary Services, said: “It’s a mystery why pets named Bruno seem to have an unfair share of misfortune. The difference between their insurance claim rates and pets called Luna is baffling. Clearly, any pet can be involved in an accident or become ill so, whatever your pet is called, taking out pet insurance is the best way to protect them and avoid unwanted vet’s bills.”
The average insurance claim for pets is £440.01, although this rises to £625.51 for third party claims for damage**. Claims can include everything from traumatic injuries due to traffic accidents, falls and fighting, to surgical removal of objects pets have eaten, including tennis balls, socks and even sunglasses!
Richard added: “Even the most well-trained dog or home-loving cat can get into plenty of mischief, landing you with an unexpected trip to the vets. Illnesses can also strike without warning, and some diseases such as diabetes, epilepsy and heart disease can require life-long treatment.”
PDSA Petsurance is selected by the charity’s vets and offers four levels of protection so that owners can find the perfect cover for their pet.*** A 5% discount on the cost of insurance policies taken out online is currently available, visit www.pdsa.org.uk/petsurance. Quotes are also available by calling 0800 980 6000.
Case study - Unlucky Bruno
Brave little Yorkie, Bruno, is only four, but has already had more than his fair share of visits to the vet due to unexpected medical conditions. Thankfully, Bruno’s owners had taken out PDSA Petsurance, so he’s getting the treatment he needs.
Bruno’s owner Sangeeta said: “Not long after we brought him home we noticed his skin started to look very sore and he was scratching a lot. He was diagnosed with an allergic skin disorder and now has to take medication for the rest of his life.
“Then a few months later we noticed his back leg started giving way, then one day he just couldn’t walk. We were calling him and he wouldn’t move – it was heart-breaking. Our vet did some tests and found that his kneecap moves out of the joint.
“At the moment, we’re managing his condition by making sure he only takes short walks and doesn’t run around too much. But he may need surgery in the future. It’s a relief to know that we’ll be covered if an operation is necessary. We love him to bits and couldn’t bear to see him suffer.”
“We decided to get pet insurance because it’s the right thing to do. You never know what’s around the corner and it gives us peace of mind to know that whatever happens, Bruno will get the care he needs. We chose PDSA Petsurance as they gave us a good quote, plus we really wanted to support the charity too.”
Unlucky pets – the facts
The rankings were calculated by comparing the number of claims made against the total number of policies for each name. For example, for every pet named Bruno there were two claims over a four-year period, while for every pet named Luna there were just 0.3 claims in the same period.
Top ten unluckiest pet names:
- Bruno
- Cassie
- Jake
- Izzy
- Henry
- Tia
- Dylan
- Buster
- Sam
- Jess
Top ten luckiest pet names:
- Luna
- Olly
- Skye
- Freddie
- Paddy
- Ted
- Bertie
- Coco
- Minnie
- Teddy
* Data analysed from PDSA Petsurance policies between 2012 and 2015, comparing claims made by the top 100 pet names.
** Average figures from claims settled between 01/01/2015 and 31/12/2015.
*** Pre-existing conditions or illnesses are not covered
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