We’re joined by PDSA Vet, Anna Ewers-Clark, discussing this year’s annual animal well being PAW report where dogs are the focus. Revealing that one in five owners do no research before getting a pet, while just 16% investigate the costs, as PDSA
highlights concerning gaps in animal care the proportion of owners doing no research before getting a pet has risen from 13% to 21% in just two years. Meanwhile, just 16% researched the cost of pet ownership, down from 24% in 2024, raising concerns about whether owners fully understand the lifelong commitmen
t involved.
PDSA warns that owners may unknowingly put their pets at risk of preventable health and behavioural problems because they do not fully understand their animals' needs. The report also highlights potential welfare concerns, with almost a third of dogs (32%) walked for no
more than 30 minutes a day, while 32% of dog owners have used at least one adversive training method and 12% have not trained their dog at all. Meanwhile, 43% of rabbits are reported to live alone despite being highly social animal
s, and 43% of rabbit owners say their pet spends between 11 and 23 hours a day confined to a hutch. More than three-fifths (61%) of pet owners found their pet online, including through advertising sites and social media, where PDSA warns irresponsible breeding and re-homing practices can be difficult to identify.
Find out more at
pdsa.org.uk or follow their Instagram
@teampdsaFor more about
Zooomy and
Naturaw, including A Dog's Life discounts you can use, go to the 'Anna Recommends' page at
annawebb.co.ukMusic and production by Mike Hanson for
Pod People ProductionsCover art by
JaijoCover photo by Rhian Ap Gruffydd at
Gruff Pawtraits