Carrying out regular health checks on animals is one of the best ways for their owners to avoid making pet insurance claims, an expert has suggested.

Checking the main areas of the body will only take a couple of minutes but could identify problems before they are able to worsen, explained Sarah Linehan, qualified dog behaviourist and trainer at the Pet Experience.

She continued: "Eyes should be clear with no redness in the whites of the eyes and no discharge other than normal sleep in the morning."

When it comes to the dog's ears, they should be pink and clean, with no excessive heat or redness.

There are various signs of infection, Ms Linehan noted, such as the dog not being able to hold their head straight or shaking it at regular intervals.

Making sure the animal's teeth are clean is likewise essential, while owners should be sure to know the colour of their pet's gums, added the expert.