Pets in London have the shortest average lifespan of any major UK city, according to new data from pet insurance company Petgevity.
While our furry friends live to just six years in London, Manchester comes in at a close second with an average of 6.1 years, and Cardiff with 6.2 years.
At the other end of the rankings, pets in Plymouth have the longest average lifespan at 9.1 years – more than three years longer than those in London. Nottingham followed at 8.1 years, with Norwich third at 7.9 years.
All Dogs Matter CEO Ira Moss said: “I don’t think they’re dying naturally at six years old, I think they’re probably being euthanised.
“I can’t imagine a dog dying naturally at six years old unless it was neglected, and sadly a lot of dogs are.”
Moss, who heads up the London-based rescue and rehoming charity, said neglect and poor welfare may be contributing factors, although she stressed the figures alone cannot explain why lifespans differ.
“Dogs that are coming in might already have some medical history that we’re not aware of so it’s not that that dog has necessarily got a shorter life, it’s just that the first or second owner may have not looked after the dog and got it treated so that’s why it could have a shorter lifespan,” she said.
She said many dogs are living until 14, while some smaller breeds can even surpass that.
CEO of Mayhew Animal Home, Elvira Meucci-Lyons, agrees. “Although the report suggests pets in London may have shorter lives than elsewhere, we see many wonderful older cats and dogs still full of love to give,” she said.
Moss said her main concern is not the reported average lifespan itself, but the welfare issues that may lie behind it.
“There are a lot of people that are abandoning dogs, and in some cases these dogs won’t live as long as they should because they don’t want to pay for the bills, which are obviously quite expensive,” she said.
Moss said this is particularly true for female dogs used for breeding, which she said are often subjected to poor welfare conditions.
She added overbreeding can lead to health problems, including allergies and other inherited conditions that may also affect puppies.
She said environmental factors, including air pollution, can also contribute to skin conditions and allergies. However, there is no evidence in the Petgevity report linking London’s air quality directly to shorter pet lifespans.
On the other hand, for responsible and loving pet owners in London, she said there are benefits to living in the capital with your furry friends.
“London is so split in terms of wealth and green space, but it can be an amazing place to have a dog,” she said.
“I think it probably comes up as one of the best cities to have a dog if you’re willing to put the time in and you consider the affordability of that dog.”
While the Petgevity data raises questions about why pets in London appear to have shorter lifespans, both charities stressed that responsible ownership, access to veterinary care and good welfare remain the biggest factors in helping animals live long, healthy lives.
Featured image credit: Pexels
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