STUDY: 60% of Dog Owners Admit Being a ‘Helicopter Parent’ to Their Pup! – HOT 101.5
STUDY: 60% of Dog Owners Admit Being a ‘Helicopter Parent’ to Their Pup!
Be Honest, are you a helicopter parent to your pet?
Please adopt Hank (dageldog/Getty Images)
Six in 10 dog owners admit they care about their pet so much, they consider themselves “helicopter parents.” A survey of 2,000 American dog owners found a staggering 91% pay close attention to what their dog needs, with 89% worrying about their comfort as the seasons change. In order to protect their pup from harsher weather, dog owners are most likely to buy them a sweater (46%), winter coat (40%) or rain jacket (37%). Seventy percent have even made major changes to their lifestyles for their pets. Pet parents have started exercising more (39%) buying pet-friendly furniture (31%) and moving to pet-friendly buildings (26%). More than four in five (87%) treat their dog as a valued member of their family and three in four insist their pup knows how spoiled they are.
The study, conducted by OnePoll, revealed pet care really shines when it comes to food. Nearly nine in 10 (87%) said that what their dog eats is very important to them. Two in three (67%) even see adding variety to their dog’s diet as a way of pampering them. Two in three Americans have cooked a special meal for their dog — especially on their dog’s birthday (44%), after coming home from a long trip (22%) or on their adoption anniversary (18%). Some respondents recalled the most extravagant meal they made for their dog: beef stews, an entire venison leg and a dog-friendly cake. One respondent said they once made their dog “a nice roast duck with an organic, dog-friendly herb sauce.”
WHEN DO AMERICANS COOK FOR THEIR DOGS?
22% Coming home from a long trip
18% Adoption anniversary
18% Major life events
16% Before leaving for a long trip
15% I always cook my dog’s food
12% Pet-sitting