However, consumers may experience such difficulties not because of the health conditions that they experience but rather because of those suffered by their pets. Speaking earlier this week, a spokesperson for the RSPCA urged those who have recently bought an animal to ensure that they have insurance in place to cover for various medical expenses. By not taking out insurance, pet owners may unexpectedly find that after taking their animal to the vet they have to pay for treatment costs themselves, although applying for a personal loan might be one possible way of helping to meet such an expense.

The RSPCA spokesperson added that certain breeds of animal are susceptible to differing ailments which in turn can affect the cost of pet insurance. For instance, she stated that labradors are often at risking of contracting "hip dysplasia and things like that". In addition she claimed that cross-breed dogs are less likely to suffer from certain medical conditions than other varieties.

As a result, the representative for the charity suggested that taking the time to get insurance for a new pet is crucial. She said: "It's something that we think is extremely important to help people cope with the costs of owning a pet and [paying for] veterinary fees. We think it's something that people often don't think about when they get their cute new pet - they don't really think about all the things that can go wrong. Even basic health checks and things like that - they all cost money."

In addition, consumers were also advised to use the internet to visit a price comparison website to help them search for the most competitive policy possible. Meanwhile, research from the charity indicated that less than a fifth (17 per cent) of dogs are covered by pet insurance, with this proportion falling to 11 per cent among cats. Findings from RSPCA also revealed that about half of British pets will need medical attention this year. With treatment at an average cost of 220 pounds, a personal loan could help many people meet such demands on their finances.

The application for such a loan may also be of particular benefit after a study conducted by Direct Line indicated that more than one in five dog owners claim to have developed difficulties in paying for treatment after taking their pet to the vet. Overall, there are about 11 million dog owners in Britain, with fees for canines accounting for 1.5 billion pounds per year. In addition, 22 and eight per cent of women and men respectively claim to be worried that they will not be able to pay for treatment, with 17 per cent of all owners delaying getting medication for their animal in an attempt to reduce the pressure on their finances. With over half of Britons lacking insurance for their four-legged friends, getting a loan to meet medical costs could be the best way for them to manage their finances.