THE cost of living crisis could result in more pets being abandoned, a charity has warned.
The RSPCA said living costs are putting pressure on households, meaning they can no longer afford to keep their animals or take them to the vet when ill.
It received 3,644 calls last year categorised as “help with vet bills” - a growth of 12 per cent on the year before when 3,241 calls were received.
The RSPCA's chief vet Caroline Allen said the crisis may force people to give up their pets or consider even putting them to sleep if they cannot afford to keep them.
She said: "Times are tough for so many people at the moment, the cost of living is spiralling and many people may face difficult financial decisions over the coming months.
"It may be tempting to bury your head in the sand if your pet seems unwell and you are worried about costs, but this can lead to increased problems later down the line.
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"The first step towards helping your pet is contacting a vet.
"Although it can feel awkward to talk about money, it is good to speak honestly with your vet about what you can afford as there may be alternative options.
"These may not be the best option that exists to treat your pet’s illness, but they may still help your pet to feel better.
"Depending on your circumstances or where you live there may also be charities who can help.”
The RSPCA, which has a rehoming centre in Patcham, Brighton, said it is increasingly concerned about reports of people trying to give their pets medical treatment at home.
Google searches for "can I give my dog paracetamol" have increased from 5,600 per month in January 2020 to 14,600 monthly searches in January 2022.
Vet Caroline said "Whilst we understand people believe they are trying to help their animals by seeking to treat them at home, what can work for a human is often unsuitable for pets and may even be toxic. Your pet may then end up needing more costly treatment.
“Although facing up to vet bills can be distressing and emotional it is important not to take this out on the vet or their team.”
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