A 2018 “Pets And People” survey sponsored by Purina finds 95 percent of dog owners view their dog as part of the family.
Well, that’s no surprise.
What is interesting is that half of the female respondents said they prefer time with their dog over time with their partner or other family members.
Another finding: 15 percent of men say their dogs have helped them meet women.
And 56 percent of Millennials (people 18 to 34) say they have purchased birthday cakes for their dogs, while 77 percent say they feed their dogs before they feed themselves.
Overall, the survey reinforced the notion that people form especially close bonds with their dogs and that dogs often serve as counselors and stress relievers for their owners:
- 62 percent said their dog helps them de-stress after a long day at work
- 55 percent believe their dog provides emotional comfort after receiving bad news
The online survey collected more than 1,000 responses in March 2018.
