Give The Dog a Phone – Half of Brits Suffer from Pet Separation Anxiety when on Holiday

• Nearly half (48%) of pet owners video call their pets whilst on holiday, according to new research from O2 
• 1 in 3 prioritise calling their pet over their parents when away 
• 4 in 10 have even declined a holiday because they didn’t want to leave their pet at home  
• Meanwhile, almost a third (32%) of Brits have been caught out by unexpected roaming charges for using their phone abroad – with the average trip costing an extra £90 in roaming fees** 
• O2 – the only major mobile network to offer inclusive EU roaming as standard (up to 25GB) – has partnered with a dog behavioural expert at Canine Instructor Academy to help pet owners make the most out of their communication with pets when on holiday abroad 

LONDON, 29 MAY 2025 – New research from O2, the UK’s only major mobile network to offer inclusive EU roaming as standard (up to 25GB), shows that almost half (48%) of pet owners video call their pets whilst on holiday – and do so at least once a day. In response to the findings, O2 has partnered with a leading dog behavioural expert from the Canine Instructor Academy to give tips on how holidaymakers can get the most out of their video calls back home to their furry best friends. 

Younger generations are proving the neediest pet parents according to the research, with 7 in 10 Gen Zs admitting to having video called their pets when away. 44% of Brits plan to travel more this summer than last year, so O2 is reminding holidaymakers to check their mobile network’s roaming policy before they travel – ensuring they can check in with their pets without breaking the bank. 

Some other key findings from O2’s research include: 

• When on holiday, pets top the list of things Brits miss the most (48%) – coming in higher than family (28%) and home comforts like our own bed (45%) 
• Two-thirds (63%) of pet owners admit that they don’t like to leave their pet to go on holiday abroad 
• 4 in 10 have even declined a holiday because they didn’t want to leave their pet at home 

Looking at the main motivations for calling their four-legged friends, half of pet owners (50%) believe their pet can recognise their voice on the phone. The constant communication is also a benefit for owners themselves, as almost the same number (48%) say they feel less homesick if they can speak to their pet while on holiday, rising even further to 61% for Gen Zs. It’s not just video calls that Brits rely on for keeping tabs on their pets, either – 1 in 5 owners also regularly check a pet cam when away. 

With the summer holiday season approaching, O2 has partnered with Rob Alleyne, dog behavioural trainer and founder of Canine Instructor Academy, to share some top tips on how pet parents can get the most from their phone calls with their four-legged friends (and when to hang up the phone). Alleyne advises: 

1. When talking, speak calmly and soothingly. As much as some owners convince themselves that their dog understands every word that they say, they really don’t. Instead, tone of voice is what’s important. Excitable, high-pitched voices will arouse the dog, increasing the likelihood of them becoming anxious and frustrated when you hang up. Instead, adopt a calm, soothing tone to help keep your pet calm.
2. Make what you say count. Spend some time creating words and phrases that will mean something to your pet when they hear them, rather than just talking to them in ways that you will understand, but they will not.
3. Try not to call too often. Although it may make you feel better to call five times a day, for some dogs, it feels like you abandon them again every time you end the call, so they can become unsettled. Again, check your indoor camera and see how your dog is coping after each call. If they’re being left with someone who is holding the phone, they can, of course, let you know how the dog reacts post-call.
4. Play familiar sounds. Familiarise your pet with a particular piece of music or a favourite song for a few weeks before you leave them for longer periods, particularly playing it at times when the dog is relaxed, chewing or resting, and have it playing in the background when you call. This can help to manage your dog’s excitement or confusion levels during your call.
5. Video calling is not right for every dog. Some dogs may find it confusing to hear their owner’s voice but not be able to find them. If you have an indoor camera on, you can see how they react after you disconnect. If they seem a bit out of sorts, perhaps video calling is not for them.

The new data from O2 reveals that almost a third (29%) of Brits spend between half an hour and an hour calling their pet on holiday. Yet, millions of Brits (17%) don’t check their mobile network’s roaming policy before travelling. This results in almost a third (32%) of Brits returning home to unexpected roaming charges, with the average cost amounting to over £90 for a single trip.**  

An O2 spokesperson commented: “We know how important it is to keep connected whilst on holiday, which is why O2 is the only major UK network to offer inclusive EU roaming as standard to 49 European destinations. Our new research shows that it’s not just friends and family that we want to stay in touch with, but our pets too. With more reasons to call home than ever before, it’s even more important that your mobile provider has your back while you’re abroad and that you check your tariff before travelling.” 

O2 offers inclusive roaming in its “Europe Zone” (49 destinations) up to 25GB as standard, with all data, calls, and texts included within a customer’s tariff available to use just as they would at home – meaning those video calls to loved ones and furry friends can be made without a hefty price tag. Find out more about roaming with O2 here.