Britons collectively spend £11.23 billion a year on food, presents and grooming for their pets.

Cat owners spend an average of £476 a year, while dog owners get through £981, according to Sainsbury's Bank.

The single biggest expense is food, with owners an average of £586.40 per dog and £328.63 per cat.

They also spend £1.75 billion on treats and presents for their pet, with dogs having on average £199 lavished on them and cats having £52, while grooming costs set owners back £273 million a year.

Vets' bills cost owners about £1.24 billion, while £280 million is spent on kennels and catteries and £460 million is spent on insuring pets, although only 70 per cent of cats and dogs are insured.

Wednesday January 07, 2004