24 Apr Co-op Pet Insurance partners with PitPat to help tackle pet obesity
Co-op Insurance has partnered with PitPat to offer new policy holders a free 'doggy Fitbit', a wearable activity monitor for dogs.
Designed to monitor pet's activity and calories, the PitPat communicates data via smart technology, which enables the policy holder to monitor their pet's activity.
In doing so policy holders will benefit from peace of mind in the knowledge that their dog is getting the exercise it needs.
Shockingly, two thirds (60%) of vets' cite obesity as the biggest health and welfare concern for UK pets, according to the British Veterinary Association.
Resident Co-op Insurance vet, Matt Brash commented: "Pet obesity is a rising problem in the UK, which, if left untreated can cause diabetes, heart disease and cancer, resulting in expensive veterinary treatment and emotional upset."
Like black box insurance or telematics for motor insurance, PitPat measures levels of activity, which if adopted by insurers to measure individual pet health, could have the potential to bring down the premiums for owners with active dogs in the future.
David Hampson, Head of Pet Insurance at Co-op added:
"Just like humans, prevention is paramount when it comes to our pet's health and analysing real time data can help to achieve this. By better understanding dogs and how they behave, we're able to directly correlate exercise with health. With this knowledge, owners are able to amend their pet's routine in line with each individual breed's exercise needs, and ensure that they enjoy an active and varied exercise routine.
"We want to help customers to take responsibility for their pet's health as we recognise that lack of exercise is one of the main causes of pet obesity in this country. By providing new customers with an easy-to-use device we hope to help tackle this easily preventable disease and help educate pet owners along the way."
Created by Dragon's Den entrepreneur Andrew Nowell, PitPat accommodates different dog breeds and ages, enabling owners to tailor their pet's routine to best suit their needs. RRP £39.99.
You can find the original news release here.
For photography, product images, spokespersons interviews or for further information please contact Sophie Sanghera ([email protected]) or call 01223 967305
About Pitpatpet Ltd:
PitPat is focused on designing and manufacturing affordable products that augment traditional pet care with the latest technology.
The company was founded by a group of four entrepreneurs based in Cambridge, UK with expertise in high volume product design and sensor technology. Based on their experience developing human wearable devices and other low-cost and simple-to-use consumer products, the group spotted an opportunity in the pet sector and formed the company to develop it.
Further information on PitPat is available at pitpat.com.
About Co-op Insurance:
Co-op Insurance is a UK-based general insurer that operates principally within the personal lines segments of the motor and home insurance markets. The Co‑op Insurance underwrites the majority of business written, supplemented with some small lines of business where The Co‑op Insurance acts as a distributor or has a 100% reinsurance arrangement in place.
With more than 1.18m customers, The Co‑op Insurance is committed to 'Doing the Right Thing' and always strives to treat customers and members fairly. The Co‑op Insurance pioneered the way in lowering the insurance premiums of young drivers as the first major insurer to launch a pay how you drive telematics insurance product for young drivers in 2011. Since launching the scheme, The Co‑op Insurance has saved its young drivers more than £7.2 million in their first year of driving.
Rosie Bierley
Co-op Press Office