Why we may be more like our pets than we think

  • Like their owners, pets are living longer1 and are prone to conditions such as cancer and obesity.2,3,4
  • Recent data exploring the human-animal connection shows that pets are integral to improving our quality of life.5
  • A global campaign reveals the remarkable bond between people and animals, and how pets can help provide support through illness as well as recovery.6 
Ingelheim, Germany, 3 April 2019 – The bond between owners and their pets goes beyond physical resemblance as we are increasingly facing similar health problems. 
 
Cancer is not just one of the leading causes of death in humans,7  this is also the case for animals. It is the leading cause of death in 47% of dogs, particularly over ten years of age, and in 32% of cats.4 Obesity is also a growing concern among canines and, like in humans, is attributed to diet and exercise.4,8  Worldwide it is estimate that more than half of dogs and cats are overweight or obese.9 These animals will face similar health outcomes as people who are overweight, including diabetes, heart disease and a lower quality of life.10,11
 
The similarities extend further to treatments. If a pet owner was suffering from pain or inflammation from rheumatic diseases, and their cat, dog or horse was also being treated for this condition, they may be given the same medicine (meloxicam).12,13 Patients and cats suffering from hypertension can likewise be prescribed telmisartan. 14,15 Boehringer Ingelheim - a pharmaceutical company with a unique focus on the synergies between human an animal health - develops treatments for both which often use the same active ingredients. 
 
As health and lifestyles between people and pets are becoming increasingly interconnected, Boehringer Ingelheim commissioned a recent survey investigating the impact the human-animal bond could have on health. Findings revealed:5
  • Being close to a pet can help people lower their medicine intake, including the use of antidepressants and sedatives. 
  • Those caring for children with a health condition are more likely to be aware of the mutually beneficial bond humans share with animals.
  • These families gather information about how to care for their pet, purchase animal hygiene products and visit a veterinary professional significantly more than owners with no health problems.
“The human-animal bond is a mutually beneficial connection between animals and owners. This bond can provide a psychological and emotional impact that has shown to improve patient outcomes,” says Jean-Luc Michel, Head of Companion Animals Strategic Business Unit at Boehringer Ingelheim. “At Boehringer Ingelheim, we understand the crucial role animals play in our well-being, including for people living with a long-term condition, and support this bond through our dedication to both human and animal health.”
 
‘A Unique Bond’ focusses on the connection between animals and people living with an illness.6 The campaign highlights how animals can offer support when their owners are at their lowest, learning to live with conditions like diabetes or recovering from a stroke.6 
 
Learn more about the campaign here www.boehringer-ingelheim.com
 
About Boehringer Ingelheim
Improving the health and quality of life of patients is the goal of the research-driven pharmaceutical company Boehringer Ingelheim. The focus in doing so is on diseases for which no satisfactory treatment option exists to date. The company therefore concentrates on developing innovative therapies that can extend patients’ lives. In animal health, Boehringer Ingelheim stands for advanced prevention. 
 
Family-owned since it was established in 1885, Boehringer Ingelheim is one of the pharmaceutical industry’s top 20 companies. Some 50,000 employees create value through innovation daily for the three business areas human pharmaceuticals, animal health and biopharmaceuticals. In 2017, Boehringer Ingelheim achieved net sales of nearly 18.1 billion euros. R&D expenditure, exceeding three billion euros, corresponded to 17.0 per cent of net sales. 
 
As a family-owned company, Boehringer Ingelheim plans in generations and focuses on long-term success. The company therefore aims at organic growth from its own resources with simultaneous openness to partnerships and strategic alliances in research. In everything it does, Boehringer Ingelheim naturally adopts responsibility towards mankind and the environment. 
 
More information about Boehringer Ingelheim can be found on www.boehringer-ingelheim.com or in our annual report: http://annualreport.boehringer-ingelheim.com.
 
Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health Business Unit
Boehringer Ingelheim is the second largest animal health business in the world. We are committed to creating animal wellbeing through our large portfolio of advanced, preventive healthcare products and services. With net sales of 3.9 billion euros (2017) and around 10,000 employees worldwide, we are present in more than 150 markets. For more information visit: https://www.boehringer-ingelheim.com/animal-health/overview 

References

1Banfield Pet Hospital. State of Pet Health 2013 Report. Available online: https://www.banfield.com/Banfield/media/PDF/Downloads/soph/Banfield-State-of-Pet-Health-Report_2013.pdf [last accessed March 2019]
2 Association for Pet Obesity Prevention. Global Pet Obesity Initiative Position Statement. Available online: https://petobesityprevention.org/about [last accessed March 2019]
3German A. The Growing Problem of Obesity in Dogs and Cats. J Nutr, 136;7, 1940-6. 2006.
4 Egger C, Love L, Doherty T. 2014. Pain Management in Veterinary Practice. Oxford. John Wiley & Sons.
5 IPSOS. Human-Animal Bond and mutual benefits – survey. 3,000 adult pet owners in France, United Kingdom, Italy, Spain, Germany. 16-21 September 2017. Data on file.
6Boehringer Ingelheim. A Unique Bond: human and animal health. Available online: https://www.boehringer-ingelheim.com/corporate-profile/vision-values/a-unique-bond-human-and-animal-health [last accessed March 2019]
7 WHO. Cancer. Overview. Available online: https://www.who.int/cancer  [last accessed March 2019]
8 WHO. Obesity and overweight. Key facts. 02.2018. Available online: www.who.int/en/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/obesity-and-overweight [last accessed March 2019]
9Association for Pet Obesity Prevention. Global Pet Obesity Initiative Position Statement. Available online: https://petobesityprevention.org/about [last accessed March 2019]
10Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Pet obesity. Available online: https://www.rspca.org.uk/adviceandwelfare/pets/general/obesity [last accessed March 2019] 
11 The GBD 2015 Obesity Collaborators. 2017. Health effects of overweigh and obesity in 196 countries over 25 years. N Engl J Med 377;1.
12Mobic (Meloxicam). Package Leaflet. August 2012. 
13 Boehringer Ingelheim. Metacam (Meloxicam). Available online: https://www.bi-vetmedica.com/species/pet/products/metacam.html [last accessed March 2019]
14Boehringer Ingelheim. Micardis® (telmisartan). Available online: https://www.boehringer-ingelheim.com/products/micardis [last accessed March 2019]
15 Boehringer Ingelheim. SEMINTRA® (telmisartan oral solution). Available online: https://www.bi-vetmedica.com/introducing-semintra-first-fda-approved-liquid-solution-feline [last accessed March 2019]

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