Most Dog Owners Call Themselves "Mom" and "Dad"
Published May 27, 2011
The dog owners sampled feel that their dogs, without question, are part of the family. In fact, 10% of dog owners just celebrated Mother’s Day with their pets, and will be including their fur-kids in any festivities planned for Father’s Day.
Eighty-one percent of Americans consider their dogs as an equal part of their family, with 35% referring to their dogs as "son" or "daughter." Two out of three pet "parents" in the survey admitted they use at least two nicknames for their pooches, much in the same way they would call their own children.
Seventy-seven percent freely admit they talk about their dogs as if they were human family members.
But what I found most interesting in the survey was 45% of the survey respondents said that they talk more about their dogs than they do about their human relationships and 57% reported that they spend more time chatting about their dogs with their partners, than they do talking about sex.
In referring to the survey, Rob Leibowitz, Del Monte Foods Senior Vice President, Pet products, said, “Dogs are integral members of the family unit, and we want to shed light on this subtle, but important change from ‘owner’ to ‘parent.’ This survey showcases how pet parents today really treat their dogs like their own children. For this reason, we created Milo’s Kitchen Brand home-style dog treats because we believe that as important and integral family members they deserve treats made with the same quality and care of our own food. The survey results reinforce our idea that pet parents want to provide their dogs with the same experiences as other family members.”
Of course, some of these statistics, while fascinating to me in my capacity as a retired social worker specializing in family relationships, at the same time they are not at all a surprise. Since our relationships with our pets are generally freer of conflict than with our human family members, being able to love unconditionally is far easier, giving us a totally different outlet in which we may express love.
When talking with folks about your pets, how do you refer to them? Share in a comment.
Shortly after retiring as a social worker and psychotherapist, I discovered my "writer's voice"…
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Comments (36)
I am a single pet dad to four great little dogs. My Eskimo Girley, my Peekapoo Mitzi, my Bichon Frise Sophie, and my little boy Max a Chihuahua Pomerian mix. Yes I spoil them rotten. Why not, they give unconditional love, and are always there for you. The sad part is that they do not live as long as humans. So since the are on this Earth for only a short period of time 10-15 years. I make sure my children are loved and well taken care of. Dogs are good to you, I feel the love and favor should be returned. Martin in Dallas.
Yes, I am a single parent to a my dog, Que, who is a 14 month old Bichon. He is my baby. He goes as many places as he can with me. He is my riding partner, walking partner and best friend. When people come over, he is introduced to family, friends, service providers, etc. We talk about his cousins, granddad, aunts and uncles,etc. He needs to know his relatives. The best thing about Que is that I can tell him anything about anybody and he will never repeat it. I love him dearly. Oh, no, he is not spoiled. LOL.
We have 4 dogs, honey the boxer, sissy the corgi mix, buddy the daschand, and snoopy the mini daschand, and they all call me Mother, mommie, mom, and their dad is Dad. My folks are even their Nanny and Papa, and believe me, they all know us by those names first. I love my dogs too pieces, every one of them. Of course I am the mother!
My roonie is a chocolate lab 13years old an my buddy.Hes still the baby and love being his mama
Of course I'm the momma and my pom Dudley will ALWAYS be my baby. His unconditional love for me is beyond comprehension and vice-versa.
In my house Buster is the big brother, Bootsie is the little sister and Marmalade is the new younger brother (here 1 yr and I guess 3 and 1/2 yrs old now) and of course, I am the mother!!!!!! Do I need a life???????
I consider the two boys my kids that I never had. I am responsible for them just like a parent. I have to take them to the vet, feed them, bathe them, walk them.
I met a man at the vets this week who introduced me to his granddaughter. Lab and pit bull mix. Everyone I know feels like they are the parent or grandparent of the pets.