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A survey of 1,206 pet owners conducted in the United States and Canada by the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) reveals that pets have become a large source for unconditional love in the household. In an effort to learn more about relationships between humans and their pets, AAHA asked pet owners about day-to-day interaction with their pets in its sixth annual national pet owner survey.
The results indicate that pets are a great source of affection, and that pet owners love their companions so much that they treat them like part of the family. Of the survey respondents:
48 percent of female pet owners rely more on their pet than a spouse or child for affection.
51 percent of dog and cat owners surveyed give their pet a human name such as Molly, Sam, or Max.
25 percent of pet owners blow dry their pet's hair after a bath.
64 percent of pet owners include news about their pet and 36 percent include a photograph of their pet in their holiday cards.
70 percent of dog owners expect their pet to come to their rescue when they're in distress compared to 31 percent of cat owners.
27 percent of pet owners have taken their pet to a professional photographer to have its picture taken with its family, Santa Claus or the Easter Bunny.
48 percent of pet owners pamper their pet by taking it in the car on errands, while 45 percent set up a special bed for their pet in the house.
53 percent of pet owners vacation or travel with their pet.
58 percent of pet owners love their pet so much that when the pet dies, they bury it on their family property.
In another survey according to the American Animal Hospital Association's 1995 Pet Owner Survey, given the choice of human or animal companionship, more than half of the pet owners surveyed want a family pet instead of another person with them if deserted on an island. This survey of 1,019 pet owners reveals that pets play a stronger role in Americans' lives for companionship or affection than many realize.
In an effort to learn more about relationships between humans and their pets, AAHA asked pet owners about day-to-day
interaction with their pets in the fifth annual national pet owner survey.
The results provide insight on how people are humanizing their relationship with their pets.
Of the survey respondents:
72 percent of pet owners say that affection is their pets' most endearing trait.
79 percent of surveyed pet owners give their pets holiday or birthday presents.
33 percent of pet owners talk to their pets on the phone or through the answering machine.
21 percent of dog owners sometimes dress their pets.
62 percent of respondents often sign letters or cards from them and their pets.
55 percent of pet owners consider themselves as mom or dad to their pets.
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