Pet insurance is too costly to be worthwhile for many owners, according to the Consumers' Association.
A survey for the association's publication Which? found that the insurance cost so much and came with so many conditions that many owners would be better off saving up and paying the bills themselves.
A single policy could cost as much as £5,000 over a dog's lifetime, even if a claim were never made.
The report recommended that owner's should shop around and make sure they know what is on offer.
