Veterinary charity the People's Dispensary for Sick Animals has warned that the stress of a separation can cause compulsive disorders in animals.
Senior vet Sean Wensley explained that steps should be taken to "minimise disruption" as even the logistics of not being walked as often can lead to problems.
"Cats and dogs, like young children, are sensitive to adult human emotions and when these become tense or unpredictable, this can cause health problems," he said.
Examples include dogs excessively licking themselves, creating a raw, itchy area, while cats have been known to suck or chew on woollen items when stressed.
And Mr Wensley added that parrots sometimes pull out their own feathers when experiencing some sort of trauma.
A recent report by the Young Group advised divorced people to close joint bank accounts in order to avoid former partners' credit histories affecting them.
