Almost half of pet parents have canceled plans just to stay home with their pet.
That’s according to a new survey of 2,000 cat and dog owners, which found that not only have 48% bailed on plans with friends and family, they’ve done so an average of five times in their pet’s lifetime.
Another 30% even admit to calling off work just to stay home with their pet – an average of four times since bringing them home.
Almost all respondents (97%) agree that their pet is a member of their family and another 99% believe it is important to show them love and appreciation every day.
To show their love, cuddly parents talk to their four-legged friends an average of 11 times a day, as well as an average of 10 cuddle sessions and 10 times of scratching or massaging them.
Respondents reported that on average, they also play games with their pet seven times a day, call them nicknames 10 times and even sing to them about five times.
And when they’re not spending time together, their pets are also dominating their owners’ thoughts. Respondents stay with their pet almost every other waking hour (four times a day).
Not only that, but another 39% worry about feeding their pet at least once a day, with 22% saying they think about it several times.
Conducted by Talker Research on behalf of dog and cat food brand Nutrish, the survey found that when asked about several different aspects of their pet’s well-being, pet parents chose nutrition most often (40%) as the aspect they think it’s more important.
Most pet owners (51%) feed their pet a combination of dry and wet food, including 61% of cat owners.
Cats tend to prefer the wet food portion of their meal (31%), while dogs prefer dry food (43%), according to their pet parents.
They also have different palate preferences; dogs most often eat chicken (44%), beef (31%) and bacon (30%), while cats prefer chicken (57%), salmon (43%) and turkey (18%).
Regardless of flavor choice, 13% of all pet owners report that their pet has special dietary needs – including sensitive stomachs (38%) and weight management (28%).
“Between showering them with love and affection and paying special attention to their nutritional needs, it’s clear that cat and dog owners take parenting their pets seriously,” said Dr. Preston Buff, a board-certified Animal Nutritionist who works as Chief Animal Nutrition and Safety Scientist at Post Consumer Brands, which manufactures Nutrish. “Pet owners are going the extra mile to ensure their pet feels like part of the family, and high-quality food with ingredients that provide mind, body and energy benefits can only enhance that bond.”
The survey also asked respondents to create a hypothetical “dream day” for their pet, specifically, a day that combines all of their fluffball’s favorite things.
According to the results, their special day would start around 8:36 a.m. The highlight of the day would be either a road trip (34%), a shopping spree at their pet’s favorite store (29 %) or a dinner on a pet. -Friendly restaurant with a pet-friendly menu (27%) together.
Pet owners would also lie in the sun or sit outside with their pet for an average of five hours and report that their pet would want to sleep for another six hours during that particular day.
That’s good news, as almost two in five (37%) pet parents say their favorite way to bond with their pet is a cuddle or nap on the couch or bed.
Pet parents hope that their pet will display some of their strange or silly ways of showing happiness, including “zooms,” “butt slaps,” “attempts to lick the cat’s ears” or even ” take a little off my nose”. “”
“Although it may be hypothetical, designing a special dream or day for their pet clearly shows how far pet owners are willing to go to keep their furry friends feeling loved and happy and healthy”, said Dr. Buff. “Pets bring so much joy to our lives and it’s only right that we give them the quality time and quality food that their owners know will make a difference.”
Survey methodology:
Talker Research surveyed 2,000 cat and dog owners; the survey was commissioned by Nutrish and administered and conducted online by Talker Research between August 24 and August 30, 2024.
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