A new survey has painted a daunting picture of how much it may cost a landlord to remedy damage from pets.

Amidst the covid pet boom, as many as 3.2m people are estimated to have bought a pet. 

Home furnishings and fashion company Next has surveyed some 2,000 UK pet owners and found that dog owners are spending £4,377 and cat owners £4,086 over their lifetimes to cover accidental pet-related damage and cleaning costs. 

Next says bedding is the most common item in need of replacement as a result of pet damage, followed by sofas and cushions.  Other common items pet owners have had to replace include carpets, electricals and even doors.

The company claims that 40 per cent of pet owners admit a lack of research before choosing the right breed for them. Likewise, only 29 per cent researched the behaviours of the breed and just 23 per cent researched energy levels and exercise needs ahead of purchase.

Some breeds may also shed more than others and so it’s worth also preparing for extra cleaning. At least once a week, 33 per cent of UK pet owners clean their carpet and 30 per cent clean their sofa due to fur, dribble and mess created by their pet.

Some 27 per cent of pet owners hire a professional cleaner at least once a month, making the estimated average cleaning cost £237 a year per household. This cost goes towards the maintenance of our furniture plus the removal of stains and fur around the house caused by pets.