New poll shows pets really are man's best friends

A poll by worming-treatment manufacturer Drontal has shown that pet insurance policy holders who own a cat or dog are likely to value their pet as much or perhaps more than their partner or next of kin.

The Daily Mail has reported that 45 per cent of British dog and cat owners surveyed believe that their pet knows when they are feeling a little blue. While 41 per cent of dog owners believe that their canine loves them more than their spouse.

A further 24 per cent of respondents also admitted that they would rather spend quality time with their pet than their partner.

The survey also showed that cat and dog owners were keen to humanise their pets, with pet names including Dave, Alan and Sharon replacing traditional favourites such as Spot and Scrappy, with one in 12 pet owners also owning to host an annual birthday party for their pooch or feline.

Chris Laurence, veterinary director of the Dogs Trust and director of the Feline Advisory Bureau, explained that humans are likely to easier connect with pets than their human counterparts as animals are quick to decode a pet owner's social signals.

"Dogs and cats are always responsive. If you walk up to a cat and stroke it, it will invariably purr. If you tickle your dog behind the ears, it will wag its tail. But humans aren't quite like that."

While insurance experts have said that the research could perhaps explain why many budget-conscious pet owners are likely to go without luxuries in order to cover the cost of necessary pet insurance cover.

Thu, 09 Dec 2010 09:24:00 GMT