Besotted ‘parents’ are raising a generation of spoilt, selfish and pampered pets, new research reveals today.

Cats and dogs are living the high life and costing their owners more than £7 billion a year to look after says the "Pampered Pets" research from Norwich Union.

The study shows that some owners are just unable to say no to their four-legged friends.

• Nearly one in six pets (14 per cent) dines on fresh meat rather than tinned food.
• One in ten get birthday or Christmas presents.
• Seven per cent have their own easy chair.
• Eight per cent get into bed with their owners.

Pets also get one-off treats. The research revealed cats and dogs that had been given christening gowns and self-portraits. Troubled pets also got psychiatric counselling.

More than two million people admit to taking more care over their beloved cat or dog than themselves. Nearly one in six (14 per cent) owners have forsaken buying clothes and 12 per cent have given up holidays to care for their pet.

Ian Bettridge, product development manager at Norwich Union, said: "It used to be Dad who had an armchair that no one else could sit in. Now, apparently, it's Rover."

"We seem to have grown from a nation of animal lovers to a nation of animal worshippers. And for a good percentage of pampered cats and dogs, life couldn’t be sweeter."

And why has Norwich Union gone all gooey and interested in pets? Well it’s launched its first pet insurance product, ‘cats and dogs’; a policy aimed at helping Britain's 14 million cat and dog owners cope with the rising vet bills. The scheme offers many options including a lifetime version too.

Ian Bettridge added: "Unfortunately there is no free health service for animals, and with one in three pets needing to visit the vet each year, all too often owners have to make cutbacks to meet these costs.”

"We've launched our 'cats and dogs' product to help take the worry out of pet ownership so people can rest assured knowing that if something goes wrong, their pet can get the best treatment it needs.”

"The most common injury – a broken leg – can cost up to £300 for a cat and £1,000 for a dog."

For more details customers should contact Norwich Union Direct on 0800 107 0497 or visit the website at www.norwichuniondirect.co.uk.