RUFF NIGHT’S SLEEP
Got a mastiff on your mattress? Do you snuggle with a schnoodle? A million Aussies share a bed with their dogs.
BELOVED pooches are sleeping in style, with new research revealing one million Australian dog owners let their furry friends sleep in their bed.
The Elanco Aussie Dog Survey found that seven out of 10 dog owners consider their dog to be part of the family, while just 12 per cent describe their dog as a pet.
More dogs are sleeping in their owner’s bed at night than are sleeping outside the home. Thomson dog owner Amanda Walker said her two pooches squish into her bed as often as they can.
The GAWS vet nurse said her fur child Heidi slept with her every night, while her bigger dog Rip only earned a spot on the bed when her partner was on night shift.
“I don’t plan on having kids so they’re pretty much it,” she said. “It’s the ongoing company, they’re always happy to see you and as soon as you come in the door they’re wagging their tails.
“I find them really relaxing to be around — caring for something is really nice.”
Ms Walker adopted Heidi and her two cats Calypso and Smoxie from GAWS and encouraged others to do the same.
The research also revealed that 42 per cent of dog owners celebrate their dog’s birthday, one in three cook their dog its own meals and 32 per cent regularly buy gifts for their dog. Nearly half of all dog owners (47 per cent) take their dogs on holiday at least once a year, while this increases to 60 per cent of Gen Z dog owners.
Ms Walker said she had taken her dogs on holidays multiple times. “We’ve taken them to Halls Gap and up the east coast of Australia, they come pretty much anywhere they can,” she said.
Meanwhile, 14 per cent of dog owners take their pooches to work at least once a month, increasing to 29 per cent of Gen Zs.
More than three-quarters of dog owners got their pet for companionship, 42 per cent did so to reduce stress and 23 per cent to encourage them to exercise more.
Meanwhile, 21 per cent got their dog to help entertain the kids, 26 per cent for security and 7 per cent received their dog as a gift.
A third of young owners say they spend more than $3000 per year on their dog.