A new study from Greece has found that animals are increasingly affected by non-communicable diseases (NCDs), such as cancer, diabetes and obesity – conditions that are also increasingly common in humans. Understanding the shared factors contributing to these diseases could help improve both veterinary and human health.  

Antonia Mataragka, from the Agricultural University of Athens, conducted a systematic review of recent surveys and found that 50–60% of domestic cats and dogs are overweight, as well as a higher incidence of diabetes in cats over the past 20 years. The incidence of liver tumours has risen up to 25% in wild animals such as fish and marine mammals. In livestock, 20% of intensively reared pigs have osteoarthritis. 

According to the study, contributing factors in pets and livestock include genetic predispositions linked to selective breeding and environmental factors such as poor diet, limited activity and stress. For wildlife, the study suggests that ecological changes driven by urbanisation and human activities could contribute to increasing disease risk.  

“While organizations like the World Health Organization provide extensive data on NCD mortality in humans, similar detailed statistics for animals are scarce. This indicates the need for more comprehensive research and enhanced surveillance in veterinary health to better understand and address these issues,” said Antonia Mataragka, author of the study published in Risk Analysis.