NEARLY half the nation’s pets suffer mental health problems, research shows.

Their anxiety issues — reported in 48 per cent of animals — are commonly set off by vacuum cleaners and fireworks, the survey shows.

It leads to pets shaking, wetting themselves or excessively barking or meowing. In some cases, they have to be treated with medication similar to Prozac.

Love Island star Chris Hughes, who is fronting Pet Anxiety Month, said: “Our pets are really trying to communicate in the only way they can and it’s up to us to help.”

The extent of the problem emerged in a survey for Ceva Animal Health.

It found that more than half of vets have reported an increase in animals with phobias.

And more than three-quarters of owners say they regularly change their routines to accommodate their troubled pets.

Chris, 26, said: “I have eight dogs on my family farm and I know a few of them have had issues with anxiety and fears.

“Without knowing the signs, it’s really easy to put the symptoms down as bad behaviour.”

Louisa Barnett, 36, said her miniature toy poodle Chewy was prescribed anti-anxiety pills after a house move triggered panic attacks.

She added: “Once she was shaking so much she made herself sick.”