Insurance firm More Than has suggested pet owners invest in collars so if a pet goes missing they can be returned easily.
This suggestion followed research that revealed men are more concerned than women when their pet goes missing.
Findings showed 13 per cent of men have taken a week or more off work when a pet goes missing, compared to just five per cent of women.
Pete Markey, head of insurance at MORE TH>N, said: "People who own pets are often very attached to them and coping with their sudden disappearance can often be akin to losing a family member.
"This seems to be the case for men especially, with the impact of a missing pet taking its toll emotionally."
The research revealed that almost 20 per cent of men are prepared to spend between £100 and £1,000 for the safe return of their pet, compared to just 14 per cent of women.
