A recent Harris Interactive® Poll has turned up some interesting numbers about pet owners. Some might surprise you, but if you’re like me, others aren’t all that surprising at all.
December 4, 2007 – Whether it’s a Persian or a Papillion, Fido or Fluffy, pet owners believe their pets are members of their family. Almost nine in ten (88%) pet owners say their pet is a member of their family with just seven percent saying no. Women are more likely than men to believe this (93% versus 84%). Dog owners are slightly more likely (93%) than cat owners (89%) to consider their pets members of their family.
My dogs and cat are members of my family, so I’m in that higher percentage for those stats.
If pets are members of the family, then they are entitled to certain things and pet owners make sure their pets get these things. Over two-thirds (69%) of pet owners let their pets sleep in the bed with them, with women more likely then men to share their bed with their pet (72% versus 64%). Gen Xers are also more likely to share their bed as almost three-quarters (74%) let their pet sleep with them. Also, cats are more likely to get on the bed then dogs (78% versus 70%).
OK, this one confused me just a little a bit. Once upon a time I thought I owned a bed. Lydia and Tequila set me straight though and made me see the light. It’s actually their bed and they are kind enough to allow me to sleep with them. Archie prefers the floor (thank goodness!)
Pet owners are also present buyers. Almost two-thirds (65%) have bought their pet a holiday present and over one-third (37%) have bought their pet a birthday present. Dogs get presents more than cats do. Seven in ten (71%) of dog owners have bought their pet a holiday present compared to 63 percent of cat owners. The same is true for birthday presents as 42 percent of dog owners have gotten a present for their pet compared to one-third (33%) of cat owners.
Everybody in my family gets Christmas gifts! And for their birthdays, it’s certainly acknowledged and they get extra attention, and sometimes a gift to go along with it.
Read the rest of the story and see where you fit into their poll.
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{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
Whatever we do for our pets seems like a small price for what they give us.
Expect to see a follow up column on starving children caused by us pampering our pets. So predictable.
One of my dogs just had a birthday yesterday. And he got a new toy and some puppy ice cream. Of course, his brother also was a benefactor…can’t give a new toy and ice cream to one without giving it to the other!
Jan, I’m sure there’s already an article out there like that!
And Matt…Happy Birthday to your pup!! I hope he had and his brother had a great time celebrating 🙂