Galaxy research shows pets' antics bring on smiles

MORE than half of female pet owners say their pet's antics are more likely to trigger a smile than that of a family member or partner. Here's why.

Laura McClaren

LAURA McClaren reckons her pet pooch, Cooper, always puts a smile on her face and her partner Chris can learn a lot from their dog.

And if a new Galaxy Research survey of more than 1000 Australians is anything to go by, she is not alone in that thought.

The survey - conducted for Woolworths Pet Insurance - found more than half of female pet owners, or 63 per cent, said their pet's antics were more likely to trigger a smile than that of a family member or partner.

The research found pets were the key to getting a warm welcome home and 43 per cent of women said they wanted to cuddle their pet before greeting anyone else in their household.

"He's just good company (and) cuddles up on the couch better than my partner does," Ms McClaren, 23, of Kensington Park in Adelaide, said.

The research also found two in three female pet owners - or 63 per cent - rated their dog or cat as better listeners than their partner. More than two-thirds said they felt down when their four-legged friend was not nearby.

The Woolworths Pet Insurance survey spoke to 1015 Australians aged 18-64 over a week in March.