Nearly 9 out of 10 believe in love at first sight with their pets

More dog owners had an “instant connection” with their pet than with their partner, according to a new study.

The survey of 2,000 dog owners in serious relationships found that 80% had an instant connection with their dog, compared to 69% who said the same about their partner.

The results revealed that respondents were also more likely to believe in “love at first sight” with animals than humans: 87% compared to 62%.

However, one in five (19%) said it took them time to form a bond with their dog and, of those surveyed, 20% questioned whether they made the right decision to adopt their pet because they didn’t have a instant connection.

But the wait was worth it: 74% said the bond between them and their dog is stronger because they had to build it over time.

Commissioned by The Honest Kitchen and conducted by Talker Research, the survey asked respondents if there was anything they wished they knew before adopting their dog.

A variety of these answers relate to food – which may not be surprising, as 76% said food is their “love language” and they take great care to feed their dog “only the best”.

Over half (53%) even said they feed their dog better than they feed themselves.

“Choosing the right food for your pet is a great way to show how much you love them: it will set them up for a long, healthy life,” said Miki Dosen, CMO at The Honest Kitchen. “It’s important to remember, however, that no two pets are the same — so whether it’s your first pet or your fifth, pet parents are likely to have a few surprises along the way.”

“One pet may love everything you put in their bowl, another may have a pickier palate and it can be a struggle to find the right food for your pet – especially when they have different needs: whether it because of their race or any other dietary sensitivities.”

One person said: “I wish I knew the different types of dog food on the market and what was best for my dog. It took a lot of research to find the perfect one.”

Another wanted to know “what kind of dog food is good for the stomach.”

Other respondents would have liked to know the “real investment of time” that comes with owning a dog – and how “they are literally like raising children”.

The love they have for their dogs has even surprised some respondents, writing that if they had known “The amount of joy they bring, I would have taken it sooner.”

Despite the challenges and surprises, 83% of respondents said the pet ownership experience is even better than expected.

And the same number agreed that, while it’s messy and not always easy, they wouldn’t trade their experience with their dog for anything.

“There’s so much to look forward to when you have a dog, but we wouldn’t be honest if we didn’t admit how hard it can be, too,” Dosen said. “At the end of the day it’s the full experience — both the highs and the lows — that make it one of the most meaningful relationships people have in their lives.”

WHAT DO PET OWNERS WISH THEY KNEW BEFORE LETTING THEIR DOG?

• I wish I had known about his ‘taste’ in furniture
• How much love it has to give and how easy it was to train
• She was a rescue dog and had some slightly odd ways about her. We wonder what her life was like before we rescued her

• The right grooming products to buy in advance for the breed of dog I have
• It feels like watching a child grow up, but you know you’ll survive it
• The best training techniques for my dog
• How I would love it
• That she would be jealous of me and my husband lol

• I should have brought home two and not just one. So he would always have a friend.
• That she was born earlier so we could have had her sooner
• That rescues will often exhibit strange behavior forever, even after you connect

Survey methodology:

This random, two-choice survey of 2,000 American dog owners — who are in a relationship (dating, engaged, married) — was commissioned by The Honest Kitchen between June 20 and June 24, 2024. It was conducted by a company market research Speaker researchwhose team members are members of the Market Research Society (Ms.) and the European Society for Opinion and Marketing Research (ESOMAR).