New Poll Reveals Americans Often Treat Companion Animals Like Humans

This survey asks U.S. adults who live with companion animals about how they incorporate them into their families. Half of the respondents indicate that they feel their companion is as much a part of their family as the people in their household.

Survey Findings:

• 50% of respondents felt their companion animals are as much a part of the family as people.
• 1 in 5 respondents dresses up their companion animal in clothing.
• 48% of dog owners and 40% of cat owners fed human food to their companion animals, at least sometimes.
• Compared to cat owners, dog owners were more likely to take their companion animal on vacation (50% vs. 39%), include him or her on a holiday card (37% vs. 33%), and take him or her to work (21% vs. 14%)
• 33% of cat owners allow their cats to sleep on their bed, while only 29% of dog owners do.
• Half of respondents (49%) have at least one companion animal with a human-like name.