Several months ago, I wrote an article for the Advocate on the relationships between people and their pets. I received quite a bit of positive feedback on this topic, and so I present you with the statistics collected recently in a similar survey conducted by the same organization, the American Animal Hospital Association.
This national survey reflects the attitudes of more than 1,000 pet owners. Here are some of the survey’s findings:
- 57 percent of pet owners would prefer a pet companion to a human companion!
- 21 percent of dog owners and 8 percent of cat owners sometimes dress their pet.
- 62 percent of pet owners often sign cards or letters from themselves and their pets.
- 52 percent of pet owners say their pets exercise more than they do.
- 38 percent of dog owners indicate they prefer a purebred, 17 percent prefer a mix-breed, and 46 percent have no preference.
- 33 percent of pet owners talk to their animals on the phone or answering machine when away from home.
- 55 percent of pet owners consider themselves as “mom” or “dad” to their pets.
- 88 percent of respondents take their pets to a veterinarian for regular check-ups and vaccinations.
- 80 percent of the respondents cited companionship as the major reason for having a pet.
- 49 percent of dogs and 43 percent of cats eat food prepared by their owners.
- 79 percent of those surveyed give their pets holiday or birthday presents.
