It’s not a surprise to us–or probably to anyone who reads DogTipper–but a recent survey by The Harris Poll showed that nine in 10 pet owners consider their pet to be a member of their family.
The poll, which surveyed 2,184 Americans online in early May, showed that 62 percent of Americans have a pet and, among that group, seven in ten have a dog and half have a cat.
The poll also revealed just how much dogs and cats have become part of the family:
- 57 percent say they frequently let their pet sleep in the bed with them (only 23 percent say they never do)
- 33 percent frequently purchase holiday presents for their pet and 27 percent occasionally do so
- 20 percent frequently buy their pets birthday presents and while 17 percent occasionally buy birthday gifts
You’ll find more interesting statistics (including tables broken down by gender, generation, income level and more) in the full press release on this topic.
Paris Permenter is the award-winning co-author, with John Bigley, of over 30 pet and travel books including The Healthy Hound Cookbook and Texas with Dogs, both available through Simon and Schuster. Paris is also a member of the Dog Writers Association of America.
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