A Majority of Women Prefer their pets to their partners!

[trust no one]

For those in the pet, pet accessories, and pet services businesses, here's a heads-up for your "behavioral targeting" strategies. According to a study of pet owners by BizRate Research for Shopzilla, pampered pets are becoming women's priority vs. their partners.

The study reports that 56% of women feel that their pets are more affectionate than their partner, while only 41% of men feel that way. And 45% of women think their pets are cuter than their partners, twice as many as men. In the study, women said they had a deeper emotional connection with their pets than men did.

Other findings include:

73% of female pet owners report they are more inclined to date or marry someone who also has a pet.

72% of women pet owners report their pets make them happier than their jobs. (compared to only 60% of the men).

Women are inclined to spend about $50-$100 a month on their pet.

39%% of women pet owners would consider taking their pet to a pet psychic, groomer or therapist.

37% of the female owners will consider a pet funeral (almost twice as many as men).

The survey saw that 36% of women owners take their pets along with them to run errands such as shopping or going to the hair salon.

70% of female pet owners feel that their pets reflect their personality.

In the past 10 years, the pet industry has doubled in size to $34 billion a year in revenue, according to the American Pet Product Manufacturing Association), and the most registered dog breeds are Labrador Retriever, Golden Retriever and German Shepherd says the American Kennel Club.

[crazytimes]

Wow that's nuts if you ask me. I'll admit, my parents have an outdoor cat and that's it. My dad refuses to let it in the house thank God.

I personally can't stand animals. The cat is growing on me a little but, but still I love them on my dinner plate and that's about it! I absoultely HATE the smell of walking into someones house with cats/dogs. Don't care how much you clean, I can ALWAYS smell it. I can barely visit my aunt/uncle, because within an hour my throat starts tightening up and my breathing gets bad. I have BAD animal allergies.

I remember once we had to write a poem on "Man's Best Friend" and since I didn't like animals I wrote about "Animal Allergies" and how I don't think animals are man's best friend. Well suffice it to say I got a C.

[cujo0123]

Animals can sense if you don't like them. It says alot the way they react to you.
I love my pets. They are like kids to me. $50-$100 is about right considering food, vet bills, etc. if you average it out over a year. I can understand all of the statistics except the pet psychics and pet funeral. I don't understand people that hate animals. That is just horrible. If its because of allergies there are certain breeds that are hypoallergenic but should be no reason to hate them. One of mine is hypoallergenic and sheds minimally. The other isn't and sheds all the time. But neither smell, they are bathed very often and get moisturizing conditioner for their skin since they are washed so often. I like a clean house and they can bring in dirt from just going out to use the bathroom. They are indoor only. Dogs are also a girls best friend!

[tlspiegel]

Originally Posted by cujo0123

I don't understand people that hate animals. That is just horrible.

Incredibly well said. How can anyone say they don't like animals?

[hmsram]

Originally Posted by crazytimes

I personally can't stand animals. The cat is growing on me a little but, but still I love them on my dinner plate and that's about it!

Do you really love them on your dinner plate ?? Just curious....

My dog personally is like a family member....I love her dearly ..I chose to have her, and I take care of her by feeding her and loving her...and getting her to the vet for the shots and etc. that she needs...

[ihvfaith]

My dog is my little girl and I love her. Our cat is out little boy and love him. OUr bird is our little guy and we love him. My son and hubby are just as bad as me. I grew up on a farm and always had lots of pets.

[YorkieLover]

I love my precious, tiny little girl dog. She loves me with all her heart, always wants to be with me, is always concerned about me ... and she has never, ever hurt me.

No, I would never replace my DH of 30 years with a pet ... but now that we have an empty nest ... my little baby is a huge part of my life, so, yes, I do pamper her with quality foods (she eats so little anyways), warm sweaters, daily brushings and scented wipes if she smells a little doggie, weekly washings, and also daily massages that she adores. She gives me back more love than I can give her.

[crazytimes]

Originally Posted by hmsram

Do you really love them on your dinner plate ?? Just curious....

Oops, I made an error and to think they just taught about this in communications class! I've never eaten cat meat. I meant that while the cat is growing on me, my favorites are still the ones on my dinner plate.

Originally Posted by tlspiegel

Incredibly well said. How can anyone say they don't like animals?

Pretty easily actually, . I don't think that not liking animals is horrible. I don't hurt them or anything, I'd just rather live without pets.

[Snowpuff]

crazytimes, I am very sorry for you. You don't know what you are missing.

Animals love you unconditionally, the purest form of love there is.

[hmsram]

I hug and kiss my baby girl every day (my chihuahua) and I tell her I love her, just as I go and kiss my children and DH goodbye in the mornings she gets her hug and kiss as well, and let me telll ya after 2 yrs she waits for it to every morning when I leave for school lol I may be crazy but we also talk to her too, she sleeps with dh every nite as well, and if he is away I will sleep with her, hey we can not help it she cries if left to sleep alone LOLLOL

[Mouse7088]

I'm trying NOT to love any animal as I once did. It's not that I am a big ole meanie...After Angus died (Aug. 25, 2004), well...we're still getting used to the feeling of him not being around. Noooo....we've already discussed it and none of us are ready to have another indoor dog...Hubby and I doubt we ever will, at least not until after the kids are older and doing much more of their own thing. I took Angus on quick errands with me, but only if I didn't have to leave him in the car alone. Our youngest son was the only person he would sleep with, but none of use were too surprised to see that he jumped on the dresser to get to the upper bunk to wake up the second son. As the only woman in the house, I can honestly say I was NOT the one that spoiled him the most....the kids even used their allowance to buy him "surprises"..he DID have his own Christmas stocking, birthdays...etc...He was a part of our family, and we treated him as such...<whew> I knew I should never have read this thread. Interesting, but....

[juliet57]

I personally can't stand people who can't stand animals.

I love my husband and my kitties and pretty much all other animals except the ones that scare me. I cannot imagine life without a pet or two or eight. They bring my husband and myself so much enjoyment.

[telos2000]

I wonder if men love their vehicles (or other significant toy) more than their wives?

[Mouse7088]

Rod..lol..I have a pretty good idea what "the better half" may think...LOL!

[Shainie]

I like my dog, but I don't think if my dog and my husband were hanging off a cliff I'd pick the dog over my husband! I do think people go overboard with their pets, but whatever.

Like my mom and her stupid dog. lol Her whole life revolves around the dog. The dog hates my kids (even though they love the dog), so they can't go stay at Grandma's house. My mom is always having to run home to let the dog out. She has a camper up north, but my kids hardly ever go because I don't want to spend the whole weekend worrying that the dog is going to bite them (which it did when Bronson was 2 - right in the face). The dog is just a big pain in the arse if you ask me!

I do agree about people with pets having a stinky house. But of course you don't smell it because you live in it! (I'm sure there are some pet houses that don't stink, but in my experience, most do). My mom's house smells like a litter box. Even her suitcase that I borrowed stunk. I was at a Pampered Chef party one day and I kept thinking that something smelled like the Humane Society (I was just there recently). Then my friend was telling me that her sister and 3 dogs and 4 cats in the house - she was the one I was sitting by. Peeeewwwwww

I think people use pets to fill voids in their lives. They love you even if you kick them. lol