Mum's warning after dogs scoffed plate of mince pies leaving her with £550 bill

Amanda Whyte, a mother from High Wycombe, incurred a £550 vet bill when her dogs, Lola and Spotty, ate mince pies containing toxic raisins. The emergency treatment was necessary as raisins can cause kidney failure in dogs.

Although only Lola, the Labrador, ate the pies, both dogs were treated, leading to double the expense.

Amanda's basic pet insurance didn't cover emergency visits, so she had to pay £150 plus a £50 excess. She advises pet owners to ensure their insurance covers such emergencies.

Research by MoneySuperMarket shows that one-third of dog owners have made emergency vet visits during Christmas, with 10% due to mince pie consumption. Chocolate, another dog toxin, is the most common reason for these visits. Yet, 21% of dog owners lack pet insurance, leaving around 2.5 million dogs in the UK uninsured.

The study emphasizes the importance of having pet insurance, especially during the holiday season, and notes that most policies have a two-week cooling-off period, suggesting owners arrange insurance well before Christmas.