Confused.com and Dogs Trust Study Reveals How Owners Keep Their Dogs Happy on Car Journeys

CARDIFF, Wales, September 21, 2011 /PRNewswire/ --

According to a new study into car owners and their pets by Confused.com, more than one in three (39%) pet lovers takes their dogs or cats on car journeys with them regularly. Of those surveyed, 41% say their pets enjoy being in the car.

The Confused.com study reveals that listening to the radio helps pet owners keep their animals amused on longer journeys with Adele, Madonna and Lady Gaga being the most popular artists to keep pets happy on the move.

Some owners admit to singing to their pets to keep them amused. Apparently Radio 1 is the top choice for in-car pet entertainment, closely followed by Radio 2 and 5 Live.

Confused.com has teamed up with the charity Dogs Trust to help ensure dogs enjoy the car journey even more by avoiding travel sickness and staying safe. 12% of pet owning motorists say they let their dog stick his head out of the window on the journey but according to experts at Dogs Trust this is not a great way to keep your pet happy.

Paula Boyden, Veterinary Director at Dogs Trust said: "Dogs might really enjoy the sensation of having their heads out of the window but it is dangerous for them so we would always advise keeping ears, paws and noses inside the vehicle while the car is moving."

25% of pet owners who take their dog or cat in the car say that their animal enjoys the journey, as long as they keep them amused. Talking to them and taking plenty of their toys are the top ways that dog and cat lovers use to keep them happy.

Almost 10% of pet owners say they have almost had a near miss when driving because of their pet's behaviour in the car.

Gareth Kloet, Head of Car Insurance at Confused.com said: "Road trips should be as fun for our pets as they can be for us, and keeping our pets happy in the back is also going to reduce distraction for us as drivers, making our journeys safer for us and our animals."

For more information on the keeping canines comfortable in cars, read more at http://www.confused.com/press/releases/Keep-canines-comfortable-in-cars.

About Confused.com:

Confused.com was the UK's first price comparison site for car insurance. Confused.com is one of the biggest and most popular price comparison services. Launched in 2002, it generates over one million quotes per month. It has expanded its range of comparison products over the last couple of years to include home insurance, pet insurance quotes covering both dog insurance and cat insurance, travel insurance, motorbike insurance, breakdown cover and energy, as well as financial services products including credit cards, loans, mortgages and life insurance.

Confused.com is not a supplier, insurance company or broker. It provides a free, objective and unbiased comparison service. By using cutting-edge technology, it has developed a series of intelligent web-based solutions that evaluate a number of risk factors to help customers with their decision-making, subsequently finding them great deals on a wide-range of insurance products, financial services, utilities and more. Confused.com's service is based on the most up-to-date information provided by UK suppliers and industry regulators. Confused.com is owned by the Admiral Group plc. Admiral listed on the London Stock Exchange in September 2004. Confused.com is regulated by the FSA.

PR contact:
Sarah Wenham
Confused.com Press Office
Friary House
Greyfriars Road
Cardiff
CF10 3AE
+44(0)29 2043 4275
http://www.confused.com