Over half of pet owners see their cats and dogs as more beneficial to their wellbeing than other humans, according to new research.

The new study from MORE TH>N reveals the full extent of the nation’s love of their pets, with 54 per cent of Britons saying their cats and dogs bring more benefit to their lives than other humans.

The research was released as part of the launch of the MORE TH>N Future of Pet Ownership Report, a comprehensive new study that looks at the state of the nation’s cats and dogs based on a survey of 10,000 owners across the UK

The report states that nearly six million pets are given treats as part of their daily diet, including crisps, cake, leftovers of human food, cheese, chips and takeaways. This, however, is leading to overweight animals, with the MORE TH>N survey revealing that 30 per cent of dog owners and 18 per cent of cat owners think their pet is overweight, which can have negative repercussions for their long-term health.

Andrew Moore, director of pet claims at MORE TH>N, said: “As a vet I have seen in real life what our report talks about with people coming to rely on their pets more and more – for their happiness and companionship.

“There is no doubt we love our pets, but the real kindness we should show is to keep our pets healthy and happy and that means keeping them the right weight. Obesity has such a negative impact on them not only making them more vulnerable to certain illnesses, but also impeding their recovery when they are ill or get injured.”