Pet owners prefer company of animals over their human best friends, poll claims

Respondents miss their pets more than their partners when away from home

Dog walkers and their pets enjoy the full use of the beach at Barry Island, Vale of Glamorgan, Wales ((PA Archive/PA Images))

More than half of pet owners admit they enjoy the company of their animals more than that of their best friends, according to a new poll.

Questioned on the strength of their relationship with their pet, 53 per cent of the 2,000 people polled said they preferred spending time with their pet than with a human companion and 17 per cent favoured quality time with their pet over their partner.

Most saw their animal as a positive influence on their well-being.

Three in five said their pet helped them de-stress after a tough day, 57 per cent felt less lonely when their pet is beside them and seven in 10 found their pet was a calming presence in their home.

“Our pets are a huge part of our lives and can make our day-to-day lives richer than it would be without them," said James Lys from Mercure Stratford-upon-Avon, which commissioned the survey. “We have noticed a marked increase in guests who bring their pets, specifically their dogs, travelling with them to share in the experience.”

It also emerged 79 per cent of repondents missed their pets when they travel away from home, and a quarter feel lost without their animal companion with them on the trip.

However, 38 per cent have brought their pet along for a trip at one time or another rather than leaving them at home.

And a third found the trip away from their usual surroundings made their pet more excitable than they normally would be.

Fifty one per cent think their trip could be made better with the presence of their pet.

When asked to consider the things they miss most about home when they go away, 17 per cent named their pet, although 42 per cent craved their own bed the most after a few nights away.

SWNS