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Is your pet's life stressful?
Pets are getting fatter and more stressed, says new research.
A study for pet insurer More Than found almost 80% of vets were seeing more obese pets and blamed a lack of exercise, overfeeding and poor diet.
A quarter of pets suffer from stress, hyperactivity and depression, while three-fifths of vets claim more are suffering diabetes and arthritis.
These 'human' ailments could be down to people spending time away, the survey of 100 vets and 2,500 owners found.
Other changes to lifestyles such as a new baby or an additional pet could also be to blame.
We are now able to treat a wider range of illnesses than we could 10 years ago, yet the state of pet health in the UK is deteriorating
Sophie de Pelet
Veterinary advisor for More Than
Sophie de Pelet, veterinary advisor for the insurer, said: "Obesity and behavioural symptoms are significantly on the increase as the health of the nations pets is in decline.
"A lot of attention is paid to the impact of factors such as poor diets and the stress of family break-ups on humans and their health, yet what we are seeing is that our pets are suffering in a similar way.
"As vets, we are now able to treat a wider range of illnesses than we could 10 years ago, yet the state of pet health in the UK is deteriorating."
Ms de Pelet said alternative treatments and diets could be prescribed.
Owners 'deluded'
And she advised owners to ensure pets had regular health and weight checks, to monitor food consumption and ensure daily exercise.
Pining by a cat or dog was often misread as a sign of hunger and led to overfeeding, she added.
This increased the risks of obesity and related illness such as diabetes, arthritis and high blood pressure.
But the study claims that as more pets are getting fatter, 90% of owners still believe their pets are not overweight.
Pets are getting fatter and more stressed, says new research.
A study for pet insurer More Than found almost 80% of vets were seeing more obese pets and blamed a lack of exercise, overfeeding and poor diet.
A quarter of pets suffer from stress, hyperactivity and depression, while three-fifths of vets claim more are suffering diabetes and arthritis.
These 'human' ailments could be down to people spending time away, the survey of 100 vets and 2,500 owners found.
Other changes to lifestyles such as a new baby or an additional pet could also be to blame.
We are now able to treat a wider range of illnesses than we could 10 years ago, yet the state of pet health in the UK is deteriorating
Sophie de Pelet
Veterinary advisor for More Than
Sophie de Pelet, veterinary advisor for the insurer, said: "Obesity and behavioural symptoms are significantly on the increase as the health of the nations pets is in decline.
"A lot of attention is paid to the impact of factors such as poor diets and the stress of family break-ups on humans and their health, yet what we are seeing is that our pets are suffering in a similar way.
"As vets, we are now able to treat a wider range of illnesses than we could 10 years ago, yet the state of pet health in the UK is deteriorating."
Ms de Pelet said alternative treatments and diets could be prescribed.
Owners 'deluded'
And she advised owners to ensure pets had regular health and weight checks, to monitor food consumption and ensure daily exercise.
Pining by a cat or dog was often misread as a sign of hunger and led to overfeeding, she added.
This increased the risks of obesity and related illness such as diabetes, arthritis and high blood pressure.
But the study claims that as more pets are getting fatter, 90% of owners still believe their pets are not overweight.
