Half of UK pet owners say their pets are their best friend
• Pets play an increasingly pivotal role in owners’ lives, with almost half calling their pet their ‘best friend’ (41 per cent) or their ‘baby’ (44 per cent)
• Pet mental health awareness is also on the rise, with over half of owners (55 per cent) stating their pet has suffered from a mental health illness
• The research marks the launch of Petplan’s Pet Census 2018, the most comprehensive analysis of UK pet ownership in the country to date
London, 21st January 2019. New research by pet experts Petplan has highlighted that pets increasingly play a crucial role in their owners’ lives, particularly when it comes to emotional support during the UK’s bleak winter months.
Launched this week, Petplan’s Pet Census 2018, which received over 60,000 respondents, has revealed that the nation will be turning to their furry friends for emotional support this Blue Monday. Almost half (41 per cent) of the UK identify their pet as their best friend, and over a third (37 per cent) put their pets’ needs above their own.
The Census also highlights growing awareness of the mental wellbeing of our furry companions. Over half (55 per cent) of owners surveyed believe their pet had suffered from some form of mental health issue, including depression, separation anxiety, grief and PTSD. These pet owners are recognising the symptoms and are doing everything to care for their fluffy companions, particularly when it comes to pets with depression. Of these respondents, just under one fifth (17 per cent) have cancelled a date to care for their pet, 43 per cent have taken time off to spend time with them, and 38 per cent have gone so far as to avoid going on holiday to ensure the happiness of their pet.
These insights and more form part of Petplan’s 2018 Pet Census, entitled “The Family We Choose”. The Census provides unrivalled insight into the lives and attitudes of the UK’s pet-owning households and their furry friends, exploring the relationships we have with our pets and the impact they have on our lives.
The Census reveals that dogs are firmly the nation’s best friends, with 67 per cent of all pet parents owning a dog, versus 45 per cent for cats – a significant rise since Petplan’s last Pet Census, undertaken in 2011, which put dog and cat ownership at 59 per cent and 37 per cent, respectively.
However, the overriding insight to come out of the Census is that pets are the family we choose: playing a central role in owners’ lives, and in a lot of cases taking the place of family and friends. Pets are now a pivotal part of the family, placing them at the top of the relationship chain, with almost a third (28 per cent) admitting they would end a romantic relationship if their partner didn’t like their pet. The impact of this extends to working life, with over a quarter (26 per cent) taking time off to spend time with their pet and 5 per cent stating they would turn down a job because of their pet.
Isabella von Mesterhàzy, Head of Petplan, said, “This time of year can be difficult for many, with January marking the end of the festive period, low finances and bleak weather. Petplan’s Pet Census 2018, our largest pet census to date, reveals that pets are playing an ever-increasing role in the emotional wellbeing of their owners and can help us feel less blue in times of need. . Pets have long been a much-loved companion to humans, however the research shows that they are now more important to us both as individuals and as part of the family, than ever.”
To explore further insights from Petplan’s Pet Census 2018, visit Petplan’s interactive map at www.petplan.co.uk/census.
