Pet mad Aussies admit to changing lifestyle to keep pets happy

Pet mad Aussies admit to changing lifestyle to keep their pets happy

Yes, Pet mad Aussies admit to changing lifestyle to keep their pets happy. I know I build my lifestyle around my pets. Do you?

Aussies are changing their lifestyles to fit around their pets, shunning social events, exercise and even work, says new research on 1000 Australian pet owners from pet insurance comparison service comparethemarket.com.au. The findings, which come from a survey of a nationally representative sample of 1000 Australian pet owners, have some interesting stats. I’m sure that you, as a pet lover may be able to identify with some of these…

Pet owner stats

27% of respondents have missed social engagements to spend time with their pet
26% have taken time off work to be with their pet
59% said that their pet influences their moods significantly
24% choose social activities that enable them to include their pet
30% of cat owners have dodged work
37% of Aussies said they also go out less now they have a cat
30% dog owners admit their pet influences whether they exercise or not
19% of dog owners say they now choose pet-friendly holidays

Pets are such an important part of people’s lives that nearly two-thirds of respondents said that their pet influences their moods significantly. It’s not just people’s moods that are affected, with 30% of dog owners admitting that they plan their exercise routine around their fur-child.

Cats have a lot to answer for with 30% of owners dodging work in order to spend time with their furry friend, and a whopping 37% saying they go out less now they have a cat.

Pet owners have also changed their lifestyle outside of the home to better suit their pets’ needs, with a quarter of respondents choosing social activities that enable them to include their pet. Dog owners admitted to going the extra mile, with one in five saying they now choose pet-friendly holidays.

Generational differences
When comparing the different age groups, the 24 – 35 year olds seem to shape their life around their pet the most. Almost two thirds of respondents said that their pet influences their mood. Some 30 per cent have missed social occasions, and another 39 per cent admitting to taking time off of work to be with their pet.

However, it was the 45 – 54 year old age group who said they prefer to stay at home with their pet rather than go to social engagements (41%).

Generations compared

64% of the 24-35 year age group said that their pet influences their mood
39% admit to taking time off of work to be with their pet
30% have missed social occasions
41% of the 45 – 54 year old age group said they prefer to stay at home with their pet rather than go to social engagements

‘Pet mad’ case study: Boyfriend dumped in favour of Barney the dog!

‘Pet mad’ Aussies admit to changing lifestyle to keep pets happy — *Barney the Cavoodle*

Zoe Edwards (23) lives in Chapel Hill, Brisbane with her family. She is obsessed with her 4 year old Cavoodle, Barney. They sleep together every night and her favourite pastime is to cuddle up with him in front of the TV. She values his opinion so much that she even decided to dump her old boyfriend because Barney didn’t trust him!

Are you a ‘pet mad’ Aussie or any other nationality of pet mad furkid ‘parent’?

More info
comparethemarket.com.au