The PDSA PAW Report

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 commitment 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 animals, 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 @teampdsa

For more about Zooomy and Naturaw, including A Dog's Life discounts you can use, go to the 'Anna Recommends' page at annawebb.co.uk

Music and production by Mike Hanson for Pod People Productions

Cover art by Jaijo

Cover photo by Rhian Ap Gruffydd at Gruff Pawtraits