Whether you’re a cat or a dog lover, new data shows Australians are naming their four-legged friends the same, with ‘Bella’ the most common name for both pets in 2015, followed by ‘Charlie’, ‘Max’, ‘Molly’ and ‘Coco’ which also feature as popular names for both cats and dogs.
The data, based on Medibank Pet Insurance members, shows the 10 most popular names for the family dog are:
1. Bella
2. Charlie
3. Max
4. Molly
5. Ruby
6. Coco
7. Buddy
8. Oscar
9. Lucy
10. Toby
The top 10 cat names are:
1. Bella
2. Charlie
3. Oscar
4. Max
5. Molly
6. Coco
7. Missy
8. Mia
9. Tiger
10. Jasper
Medibank Pet Insurance data also shows that the most popular dog breeds for Australians in 2015, are:
1. Maltese Cross
2. Labrador
3. Staffordshire Bull Terrier
4. Golden Retriever
5. Cavoodle
6. German Shepherd
7. Border Collie
8. Staffordshire Bull Terrier Cross
9. Jack Russell Terrier Cross
10. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Meanwhile, the most popular breeds of cat are:
1. Domestic Short Hair
2. Domestic House Cat
3. Domestic Medium Hair
4. Ragdoll
5. Tabby
6. Burmese
7. Domestic Long Hair
8. Unknown Cat Breed
9. Moggie
10. British Short Hair
Manager of Medibank Pet Insurance, Nathan Crothers said, “Pets can be popular presents to give and receive at Christmas – and they really are the gift that keeps on giving well after December 25. So it’s important Australians ensure they have pet insurance to care for their four-legged loved ones.”
The most common ailments cats and dogs are diagnosed with at this time of year are skin conditions, arthritis, torn ligaments and ear infections, which can be costly.
“This Christmas, in addition to buying a new collar or squeaky toy, make sure buy pet insurance. The last thing you want to have to do is choose between your pet and your wallet in the case of an emergency, and pet insurance gives you and your family peace of mind”, said Mr Crothers.
Around 63 per cent[1] of Australians currently own a pet, and in the last 12 months Medibank has paid $18 million in pet insurance benefits.
Medibank’s top three tips for choosing the right pet insurance policy for you and your pet:
1. The earlier the better – take out a policy as soon as possible. At 8 weeks (the earliest owners can take their new pet home), they won’t have any pre-existing conditions that could restrict your cover and you also won’t have to provide vet history.
2. Choose the right cover – with options from accident cover to accident, illness and routine care, it’s important to choose for the cover the best suits your needs. Adjusting the policy excess is a great way to tailor the right product and the right price.
3. Capitalise on discounts you’re entitled to – the price of pet insurance can vary depending on the cover you choose, your pets breed and age. . If you have private health insurance with Medibank you can take advantage of a 10 per cent discount on your pet insurance for being a member and also receive a 5 per cent discount for including additional pets on your policy.
[1] Australian Veterinary Association, 2013, ‘Pet ownership statistics’, http://www.ava.com.au/news/media-centre/hot-topics-4
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