It seems dogs are well and truly part of the family – as over two-thirds of dog owners (68%) feel their pet pooch brought their family closer together, and 84% couldn’t imagine life without them.
Three in five dog-lovers (61%) say they would do anything for their furry friend – with almost half (46%) saying they have worried more about their dog’s diet and health than their own.
The poll of 2,000 adults, who have a dog, found that 47% have greeted their pet after getting home, before saying hello to other members of the family.
And 20% have thrown their canine companion a birthday party, while one in three owners let them sleep in their bed – and 35% plan holidays around them.
For two-thirds (65%), their animal’s health and wellbeing is their top priority – and a fifth would even turn down a night out with friends, as they couldn’t stand to leave their pet at home.
More than eight in ten (86%) say the dog they picked is the perfect fit for their family – and now, you can find your perfect furry friend, too.
Dog supplements company, Vitabiotics SuperDog, has teamed up with TV veterinary surgeon, Dr Paul Manktelow, to create a quiz to find you your perfect doggy match.
The tool will ask you questions about where you live with, how active you are, and what you are looking for in a dog, before matching you to your ideal doggy companion.
A spokesman for Vitabiotics SuperDog, which developed the quiz with Dr Paul Manktelow, and commissioned the research, said: “To dog owners, a pooch is far more than just a pet.
“It can be hard for non-dog-people to “get”, but within a remarkably short space of time, dogs really do become part of the family.
“Ask any dog owner and they’ll tell you they’d do anything to keep their hound from harm, and want them to live the best life possible.
“This is why keeping your dog fit and healthy is so important. Nutritional support and regular exercise should stay top of mind for dog owners.”
Other ways dog owners believe a mutt is truly part of the family include them having their birthday celebrated (39%), or having their pictures up around the house (36%).
And 29% think a pet is well and truly bedded in – literally – once it gets a space in bed at night, while 22% say it’s when a dog is someone’s phone lock screen picture.
One in ten have even created a social media profile to post updates from their dog’s life, according to the OnePoll.com figures.
A quarter also admitted they spend time worrying about their dog’s health, with 27% concerned about whether they are getting the nutritional support they need.
But as a result of this concern, 36% even believe their four-legged friend eats a healthier and more varied diet than they do.
Vitabiotics SuperDog’s spokesman added: “Picking the right dog for you and your family, based on personal interests and other contextual factors, is crucial to finding happiness.
“Making sure you’ve got a pet whose lifestyle matches your own can have a huge impact on your happiness, and theirs.
“Of course, you don’t necessarily know this until your new pet is home with you – but research into different breeds’ personalities before making a purchase is an absolute must.
“Selecting a compatible dog type, and ensuring he/she is kept healthy and happy, makes families stronger together.”
TOP 20 SIGNS A DOG IS PART OF THE FAMILY:
- You celebrate their birthday
- You give them a nickname as well as their actual name
- You’ve got pictures of them around your house
- You can’t imagine life with any other dog
- You include them in your Christmas family photos
- They sleep on the bed with you
- You’re always showing people pictures of them
- They have their own space on the sofa
- You’re happier staying in with them than going on a night out with friends
- You pack a bag for your dog when you go away
- You refer to them as your child or “fur baby”
- They are the lock screen photo on your phone
- You have a whole album on your phone dedicated to pictures of them
- You only go to dog-friendly pubs or restaurants
- You’ve gone on holiday somewhere just because your dog would enjoy it
- You tell them you love them more than your partner
- You’ve dedicated a whole area of your house or garden to their wellbeing
- You have the vet’s number on speed dial
- You make more effort feeding them than you do your own partner or kids
- You bought a house only after considering their needs
