Owners plan their holidays around their pets

Nine in 10 pet owners plan their holidays around their pets, with many choosing to stay within the UK to make it easier to include four-legged family members, new research reveals.

The survey of 2,000 pet owners found that 28% of those who go away with their pet do so to prevent their furry friend getting lonely.

More than a third (36%) don’t like the idea of leaving their pet in kennels or a cattery, while 27% said they would miss their pet too much if they stayed behind and 30% reckon their pets love getting away.

Dogs are the most popular pet to take away, but a third (34%) admit to taking their cat, and 6% have even taken their hamster or bird on a getaway.

“Anyone with a pet will tell you — they’re part of the family,” said a spokesperson for Original Cottages, which commissioned the research.

“And who would want to leave a family member behind when going on holiday?”

Four in 10 (41%) pet-focused holidaymakers said they have avoided taking trips abroad because they didn’t know if their animal could come with them.

To make a UK holiday with pets extra special, owners are keen to visit places with dog walks (30%) and pet friendly restaurants (28%) nearby.

A sandy beach (23%) and rolling countryside (18%) were the most popular places to visit when away on a trip.

The top 10 UK locations to stay with pets, according to the survey, are:

1. Wales
2. Yorkshire
3. Lake District
4. Cornwall
5. Devon
6. Norfolk
7. Scottish Borders
8. Peak District and Derbyshire
9. Cumbria
10. Suffolk

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