Most British Pet Owners Leave Heating on for Pets

  • Research reveals pet owners leave their lights, radio and TV on for their pets when they go out
  • Nearly half (49%)1 say spoiling their pets causes conflict in their home
  • E.ON has partnered with animal expert Chris Packham to share top tips for keeping your pet cosy during the winter

New research by E.ON reveals nearly three quarters (72%) of British pet owners say they leave the heating on just for their pets when they leave the house – with a fifth (27%) keeping the temperature the same for their pets as they do for themselves, at a cosy 20oC.

Owners are putting a lot of energy into keeping their pets happy when they are out of the house: 31% admitted to leaving a light on, 28% said they have left the radio playing and 23% confessed to keeping the TV turned on. In fact, it appears pets prefer BBC1 with 40% of owners saying it’s the channel of choice while the preferred radio station for pampered pets is BBC Radio 2 (31%).

It also seems many of us can’t bear to spend a moment apart from our pets, who are increasingly becoming part of the family. According to the survey almost half of owners (44%) share their beds with a pet while 8% miss their animals so much they actually videocall their pets while on holiday. Meanwhile, three-quarters (74%) of British pet owners confessed to letting their animals on the furniture.

But this inclusive approach is causing resentment for the pampered pooches and felines with nearly half (49%) of pet owners say spoiling their pets causes arguments at home. The top reason for rows is letting pets loose on furniture (41%), followed by buying expensive pet food (35%) and leaving the heating on for pets when going out (26%).

What’s more, many pet owners admit to prioritising their furry friends over their social life (34%), holidays (29%) and even their partner (16%).

People in the North East are the most likely to spoil their pets like this, with almost half (42%) regularly leaving lights on and around a third (38%) leaving a radio or TV (33%) on to keep their pets’ company when they go out.

E.ON has partnered with animal expert and TV presenter Chris Packham, for his top tips on how we can keep our pets happy, without using lots of energy at home.

  1. Think about where you put your pet’s bed. At floor level there may be draughts you aren’t aware of which could make them cold or uncomfortable. Be sure to draughtproof any unwanted gaps which let cold air into your home and let heat escape. And kneel so you can check it out from their perspective and move the bed if you need to.
  1. Work out the line between pampering and proper care. You may have a roughty-toughty outdoorsy dog who’s full of beans in the rain, wind and snow, but a cold, wet dog is not going to be happy – however how robust you think he or she is. Get your dog a good quality coat that is wind and waterproof. Always imagine how you would feel in their paws!
  1. A smart thermostat, such as the tado° from E.ON, allows you to control and monitor your heating wherever you are, using your smartphone. But it’s not just good for setting the temperature for your pet! It will help you save money and the planet, by making sure you only have the heating on when you need it, and at the right temperature.
  1. During winter, on cold days, food straight out of the fridge won’t be very appetising. Warm your pet’s meals up to ensure the food is at room temperature before feeding.
  2. If you’re out all day, choose a snug room where it’s suitable for your pet to spend the day. Ensure you have an energy efficient boiler to get the most out of your heating, but there’s no point in heating the entire house to keep them warm. So, keep the radiator on near their cosy corner with the door closed. And make sure there’s food and water within reach of course!


Chris Packham, animal expert and TV presenter, said: “As a nation of animal lovers, keeping our pets happy is a top priority for many Brits – and making sure your home is snug is one quick way to do so. And with some small simple changes, you can save money, lessen your impact on the planet and keep your all-important pet happy.”

For more information about E.ON’s solutions, visit eonenergy.com.

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