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GPs "would prescribe pets" to improve patient health
Elderly person with kitten
The majority of GPs said animals had improved patients' physical conditions.
Majority of family doctors say pets improve patients' mental and physical conditions

An overwhelming majority of family doctors and GPs say animals have improved their patients' physical condition, mental health and mood, according to the results of a new survey.

The online survey was the first of its kind to examine doctors' views and knowledge of the beneficial impact animals can have on human health. It was conducted by the Human Animal Bond Research Initiative (HABRI) in partnership with the Cohen Research Group.

Of the 1,000 doctors who took part, 69 per cent had worked with animals in hospitals, medical centres or practices. The majority said animals improved patients' physical condition (88 per cent), mental health (97 per cent), mood or outlook (98 per cent) and relationships with staff (76 per cent).

"Doctors and their patients really understand the human health benefits of pets and they are putting that understanding into practice," said HABRI executive director Steven Feldman.

Almost all (97 per cent) believe there are health benefits to owning a pet and three-quarters of the respondents said they had seen improvements in the overall health of at least one of their patients as a result of becoming a pet owner.

Many GPs had recommended a patient get a pet and almost three-quarters of them said they would "prescribe" pets to patients if medical evidence supported it.

"Time constraints" were reported as one of the major obstacles to discussing with patients the benefits of pets, however.

Mr Feldman added: "The science shows that pets can help with a wide range of health conditions - from heart health to depression to post traumatic stress disorder.

"HABRI hopes that this survey will help to break down the barriers and get more doctors and their patients talking about the important, scientifically-validated health benefits of pets."

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Annual submission deadline small pet animal exemptions

News Story 1
 Companies marketing medicines for small pets exempt from authorisation must submit their annual return to the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) by 30 November 2026.

Submitting this annual return ensures continued compliance with regulatory requirements for products marketed without a full Marketing Authorisation. The exemption specifically applies to products intended for animals, cage birds, terrarium animals, small rodents, ferrets and rabbits.

For further details and submission guidelines, visit the gov.uk website.  

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BVA urges 'continued vigilance' over bluetongue

The British Veterinary Association (BVA) has urged vigilance following a concerning rise in Bluetongue (BTV) cases in sheep and cattle.

In a recent statement, the BVA noted that members are reporting more severe clinical signs and higher mortality rates than in previous years.

'We know that farm vets are working hard to support farmers and animals affected by this outbreak, during what is an extremely difficult time for all involved,' they stated. 'Continued vigilance to identify disease early is vital and vaccination remains the best way of protecting animals from this disease.'