Larry the cat, chief mouser of Downing Street, has seen off five Prime Ministers so far and is a national treasure. Though certainly the most famous cat in Britain, Larry is only one of a long line of political animals at the seats of government on both sides of the Atlantic.

From pandas and platypuses to Labradors and lions, animals have long shored up peace between rivals, clinched election campaigns, caused divisions within parties and left their unique calling cards in the halls of power.

Journalist and former special adviser Peter Cardwell traces the political (and not-so-political) adventures of these fascinating pets from Tudor times to No. 10's newest kitten. Drawing on exclusive interviews with Washington and Westminster insiders, including Prime Ministers past and present, Cardwell reveals never-before-heard tales of political pets and offers a fresh insight into the enduring relationships between those in government and their furry friends.