A recent survey by YouGov reveals that nearly half of dog owners (46%) consider their dogs their best friends, showcasing the deep bond many share with their pets. In comparison, only 27% of cat owners regard their cats in the same way, although cats do have their own unique place in their owners’ hearts.
For both dog and cat owners, the title of “companion” is the most common way to describe their relationship with their pets. But for dog parents, the connection runs deeper, with a significant percentage of women (52%) viewing themselves as their dogs’ “parent,” compared to just 26% of men. The same trend appears among cat parents, with women more likely to claim the “parent” role.
Despite these differences, there’s one thing that pet parents universally agree on: their pets offer unconditional love. An overwhelming 95% of dog parents and 86% of cat owners believe their pets provide this affection. Furthermore, over 90% of both groups consider their pets part of the family, and nearly 90% say their pets positively impact their mental health.
It’s not just about affection—pets are also seen as deep emotional companions. About 77% of dog parents and 61% of cat owners feel their pets truly understand them, with 22% of dog parents and 17% of cat parents believing their pet knows them better than anyone else.
Ultimately, whether as best friends, companions, or family, pets have a significant role in their owners’ lives. And despite some playful differences, all pet parents agree on one thing: their pets are undeniably the best.
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