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Kent's pet owners - the true cost of owning one from lost sleep to clearing thousands of poos

Did you know the average Kent cat owner has lost almost half a year of sleep?

We've crunched the numbers on the important questions to Kent pet owners - how much do home damages cost the average owner? How much sleep have I lose to my pet? How many dog poos has Kent collectively cleared?

Owners have lost months of sleep to their pets since bringing them home
Owners have lost months of sleep to their pets since bringing them home

Months of sleep lost to man's best friend

All of our beloved furry friends need care and attention - which they may bark or yowl for in the middle of the night - costing us a precious few winks of sleep.

But how much sleep you lose depends on what you have as some pets have shorter lifespans while others are lower maintenance.

According to curtains seller, Hillary's, pet sleep calculator, cats and dogs reach the top of the sleep stealing leader board.

You may have lost up to two months of sleep to your dog Photo Eugene0126jp
You may have lost up to two months of sleep to your dog Photo Eugene0126jp

If you own one cat for 10 years, you have lost 4,013 total hours or five months of sleep to their late night antics.

Collectively, cat owners across Kent have lost 285,527 years of sleep to our feline friends.

You can catch a few more Z's with dogs, with 10-year-olds only taking up 1,734 hours or two months of sleep - and 109,789 years across the county.

But if you want a little more rest, consider a five year old bird taking up just two months.

Even better, a two year old hamster or five year old rabbit will cost you just over two weeks of sleep each.

How many dog poos have you picked up since getting your pet? Picture: Gary Browne
How many dog poos have you picked up since getting your pet? Picture: Gary Browne

Millions of litter trays across the county

Have you ever wondered how many messes you have to clear up for your pets? Hillary's calculator has you covered there too.

A cat of 10 years would have left their owner with 7,300 litter trays to clear whereas an average dog owner would have only picked up 3,640 poos.

Taking those numbers Kent wide, the county has cleared 4,549,944,000 litter trays and picked up 2,018,907,800 poos collectively between pet owners.

Once again, rabbits take a little less work as each owner of a five year old rabbit cleans their hutch an estimate of 1,040 times. Across the county, hutches have been cleaned 38,584,000 times.

Cats can cost you almost half a year of sleep in their lifetimes
Cats can cost you almost half a year of sleep in their lifetimes

Pets cost owners hundreds in home repairs

We've mostly been talking about the cost to sleep or tolerance of foul smells so far - but what about monetary costs?

Just over a fifth (22%) of owners have dealt with their pet causing damage to their homes, according to a Confused.com survey.

On average owners would pay £522 to repair the damage caused by their furry friends and 7% would pay £1,000 or more.

Of those surveyed, 54% reported damaged carpets, 31% had curtains ruined and 20% were concerned after wiring was ruined.

Some of the more outlandish damages came from one pet eating through the bottom of a door after being locked downstairs and another blew the fuse after chewing through TV wiring.

Is it worth having pets? Absolutely
Is it worth having pets? Absolutely

With all that in mind, is having a pet worth the trouble?

Pet owners absolutely seem to think so.

In the South East, 23% of the population own dogs and 21% of people own cats, according to the Pet Food Manufacturers Association.

Only 2% of the population owns rabbits and indoor birds.

So pets may be rascals sometimes - but we can't help but love them.

*Numbers were calculated using pet owner percentage of Kent's population multiplied by average animals per household multiplied by Hillary numbers for half of each animals average lifespan

To read more about Kent’s furry, flying and finned friends, click here.

Read more: All the latest news from Kent

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