New study finds some people like to share baths and forks with their pets

There’s nothing unusual about treating your pet as a member of the family.

But a study reveals for some owners their relationship with their furry companions goes a few steps further.

It found that two in five British animal owners believed that sharing a bath with them was acceptable, and more than a third (36 per cent) were happy for them to wolf down morsels from their forks.

The same number said it was fine to kiss their pet on the mouth and per cent let animals lick their plate clean.

More than half (55 per cent) dress their pet up in costumes, 57 per cent are comfortable having they’re face slobbered over, and seven in ten share their bed with them.

And more than eight in ten admitted to ‘posting too many pictures’ of their pet on social media, found the survey of 2,000 owners by technology firm sharkninja.com.

Etiquette expert John-Paul Stuthridge believes some pet owners’ devotion goes too far. He said: “I understand the love for our furry friends.”

“But if you wouldn’t put on a public display of affection with a friend or partner around other people, why do it with a pet?”

A quick pat on the head is more than enough.

Save the overt pet love for the home – the person in front of you requires your full attention.

As a dog owner, always assume that the other person isn’t a pet person and let them up to your dog rather than allowing your dog to put their sloppy chop