Britain's pampered pets are struggling with the effects of obesity, as figures show a massive increase in the number of dogs and cats being diagnosed with diabetes.

In the last five years there has been a 900 per cent increase in diagnosed cases of the life-threatening condition.

According to a study of 9,000 pets by pet insurer Animal Friends, cats are most at risk from exploding rates of diabetes – with a 1,161 per cent increase in feline claims since 2011.

The data also shows cases in dogs have also seen an increase of 850 per cent in the same time span.

An expert from UK veterinary charity PDSA, said weight gain was one of the main reasons diabetes in pets is on the rise and this is fuelled, in part, by owners feeding their pets human food.

She told The Telegraph: ‘We know that pet obesity is a growing problem in the UK, and we know diabetes is an obesity-related condition.

If owners are unsure what to feed their pets, or are concerned about their weight, they should always seek advice from their vet.’

Diabetes is a disease where the body has problems with not being able to produce enough insulin, or their bodies don’t allow them to use insulin properly.

Insulin is produced by the pancreas, and allows glucose in the blood to enter cells, allowing the body to properly function.

In 2011 Animal Friends received just 62 claims for cat diabetes cases, compared to 721 in 2015.

Symptoms of the illness can include pets being hungry or thirsty a lot of the time along with an increase in producing urine.

Diabetes in pets can often be managed successfully with insulin therapy and attention to diet and exercise.

The study revealed that the British Shorthair was the most diagnosed cat, followed by the Burmese, Foreign Shorthair, Maine Coon and then the Abyssinian.

The most commonly diagnosed dog is the West Highland Terrier followed by the Labrador, King Charles Spaniel, Husky and Miniature Schnauzer.

It is not known whether the diagnoses are due to the genetics of the breed or lifestyles of the pets.

But the study revealed how in 2011 just 309 cats and dogs had been diagnosed with diabetes compared to a whopping 2,877 in 2015.

Last year the PDSA, the UK’s leading veterinary charity, released a report which estimated by 2020 obese animals would be more common than healthy ones.

The report also estimated that a quarter of a million dogs in the UK don’t get walked at all.

Along with the rates of diabetes rising in pets, the amount of humans living with the condition has almost quadrupled since 1980.

Westley Pearson, Director of Claims for Animal Friends said ‘With weight issues and diabetes on the rise amongst humans, we assumed we would find the same in people’s pets but the 900 per cent rise we uncovered was shocking.

‘It shows a clear gap in Brits knowledge regarding proper care of their pets.

‘The fact that the increase is so much higher than in humans suggests that while people are beginning to think more about their health, their pets are being left on their old diet and exercise regimes.'