Family pets: We love our fur babies more than some relatives, survey shows

DO you love your pet more than some family members? Many Aussies have admitted they care more for their furry friends than relatives.

Pampered pooch Luna in a birthday party outfit. Picture: David Caird

SMITTEN pet owners love their furry friends more than some relatives.

In a national survey, almost two in five confessed to caring more for their pets than certain family members.

Insurer AAMI’s research also reveals almost half spoil their pets; one in four buys more toys and accessories than needed; and one in four usually lets pets sleep on their bed.

Just over a third referred to their pets as children or “fur babies”.

DOGS BEING PAMPERED LIKE CELEBRITIES

HOME VISITS FOR ‘VET-PHOBIC’ PETS

NEW LAWS FOR RENTERS WITH PETS

Luna the cavoodle plays with some of her soft toys. Picture: David Caird

And half felt bad about leaving pets home alone.

Being part of the family was considered the main role pets played in the household.

Dogs were most commonly owned (48 per cent), followed by cats (28 per cent), fish (9 per cent) and birds (8 per cent).

Companionship, helping your mental state, and making you laugh were the biggest benefits of owning a pet.

Cleaning up after them, the cost to buy and take care of them, and the time and responsibility involved were the key disadvantages.

The average annual cost of owning a pet was $1335.

Food, vet bills, medicine and registration were the main expenses.

Pampered pooch Luna in a birthday party outfit. Picture: David Caird

Devoted dog owner Holly Gove said cavoodles Luna, 1, and Albie, 2, were “like family”.

“My partner and I treat them like children,” she said.

“It sounds really corny but they bring so much happiness. Every day we look forward to getting home from work and seeing them. It’s the highlight of our day.”

The pampered pooches have a hamper full of dozens of toys, are dressed in outfits for birthdays and Christmas, and are treated to dog-friendly carrot birthday cakes.

“They have dog puzzles to keep them occupied throughout the day and their own spot on the couch so they can see out the window,” Ms Gove said.

Devoted dog owner Holly Gove treats her cavoodles ‘like children’. Picture: David Caird

“We buy mince and hand mix it with vegetables and rice for their food.”

The online survey of 1017 owners found one in 10 lavished pets with fancy accessories such as designer-label clothes and bejewelled collars.

However, more than 80 per cent did not insure them against injury or illness.

[e-mail]

@KarenCollierHS