How pets steal our hearts
SMITTEN pet owners love their furry friends more than some relatives.
Almost two in five confessed to caring more for their pets than they do for certain family members in a national survey.
Insurer AAMI’s research also reveals almost half spoil their pets; one in four buy more toys and accessories than needed; and one in four usually let pets sleep on their bed.
Just over a third referred to their pets as children or ‘fur babies’.
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 pet ownership benefits.
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 visits, medicine and registration were the main expenses.
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.