More than 70 per cent of Brits admit pulling sickies to look after poorly dogs

Forget duvet days - Britain’s workforce really has gone to the dogs. New research has revealed that 72% of owners admit to pulling a sickie to look after poorly pups, costing the UK economy an estimated £13.8 billion a year in lost wages.

The average person takes eight days off a year to nurse their dog, with 52% caring more about their animal’s health than their partner’s, according to the study by pet food company Tails.com.

Nearly 40% admit they’ve lost sleep worrying about their dog’s health while 36% say they’d never trust anyone else to look after a sick pooch. Dr Sean McCormack, Head Vet at thefoodcompany, said: “Sick days are really stressful and tough to deal with for dogs and their owners. Anything we can do together to help limit sick days is hugely beneficial.

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“While some illnesses can’t be prevented, ensuring your dog is eating a complete, balanced and nutritious diet, getting the right amount of exercise and having regular health check ups can help to limit the need to take too much time off and your pets living healthier lives.”

London owners can get a quick health check for their dog at Victoria Park this week just by letting their pet pee on specially designed lampposts equipped with pH tests. These detect abnormal levels of acid or alkaline in urine, which can be early indicators of health issues.

Dr McCormack and Tails.com’s in-house behaviorist will also be on hand to interpret the results and offer advice on how to ensure your dog is in tip-top shape. “A dog’s urine can tell us a lot about what’s going on inside their body,” Dr McCormack said.

“By making these tests quick and easy for owners, we’re helping to catch potential issues early - before they become more serious or harder to treat.” The team will be in Victoria Park on June 24 and 25 from 8am to 12pm and 3pm to 7pm.

How to spot when your dog needs a vet check

Eating habits

If your dog suddenly goes off their food or becomes ravenously hungry, it could be a red flag. Sudden weight lossor gain is always worth investigating.

Check their coat and skin

Your dog’s coat is a great barometer of their overall health. Look out for excessive scratching, bald patches, redness, lumps, or a dull, greasy coat. A quick daily brush can help you spot issues early.

Changes to drinking or urination

If your dog is suddenly drinking more water than usual or asking to go out to pee more frequently, this could be a sign of underlying health issues like diabetes, kidney disease, or a urinary tract infection. On the flip side, straining to urinate or accidents in the house that are abnormal can also indicate problems.

Don’t ignore bad breath or drooling

While doggy breath isn’t always pleasant, a sudden increase in bad breath, drooling, or difficulty chewing can indicate dental disease, which, if left untreated, can affect the heart and kidneys. Regular dental checks and brushing can help.