• Over two million British dog owners obtained their pet as practice for parenthood
• A third of dog owners without children still feel like parents
• 10 per cent of dog owners chose a dog in place of having children
• One in twenty childless dog owners believes owning a dog is more work than having a baby
• Younger parents are the most likely to find their pets useful preparation for children in later life
   

New research1 from Direct Line Pet Insurance reveals that 2.3 million2 British pet owners obtained their dogs as practice for parenthood. These “practice children” were seen by their owners as developing the next stage of their relationship with their partner or as preparation for having a child of their own.

One in ten (10 per cent) dog owners without children chose to own a dog instead of having children. A third (30 per cent) of pet owners without children of their own say owning a dog makes them feel like a parent, reinforcing the deep emotional bond people have with their animals.  There is a significant difference in gender attitudes as to how childless pet owners perceive the role of a pet in their lives.  The research reveals 38 per cent of women without children feel like mothers to their pets compared to 22 per cent of men feeling fatherly towards their dogs.

Pet owners are ‘babyfying’ their dogs, putting them in doggy diapers and buying ‘cots’ for them to sleep in.  They are even buying pet strollers, which can retail at over £2703 to wheel their pampered pets around. One in twenty (6 per cent) childless dog owners believe owning a dog is more work than having a baby.

Prit Powar, head of Pet Insurance at Direct Line said: “In many ways, caring for a dog can be similar to caring for a child so it’s unsurprising that so many people reported it being good practice for parenthood. Dogs, like children, need constant care and attention and should be seen as a huge responsibility for a long period of time. We urge anyone considering getting a dog to make sure they are able to provide for the new addition to their family.”

With people choosing to have children later than ever before, it is not surprising to see that younger parents have tested their parenting ability with a dog before taking the plunge with a baby. Of the  parents who felt more prepared to have a baby because of the experience gained by having responsibility for a dog, young people (57 per cent) were most likely to feel this way. 

         ENDS

Notes to Editors

1 Research carried out by Opinium Research online amongst a nationally representative sample of 2001 UK adults between 16th and 19th February 2016. 
2  89 of those surveyed chose at least one of “saw owning a dog as next stage in their relationship”, “wanted to see if capable of caring for something”, “considering having a baby and though it would prepare us” or “thought it would make my partner feel more ready to have a child”. 89/2001 = 8%.      8% of UK adults 50909000 = 2,264,318
3http://www.bonanzamarket.co.uk/listings/AT3-No-Zip-Pet-Stroller-Forest-Green-PG8350NZFG/271960774?gpid=68416461421&gpkwd=&goog_pla=1&gclid=CIu09_-YtMsCFYIW0wodqRcDGw

For further information please contact:

Claire Foster 
Direct Line 
[email protected]  
0165 183 1672

Antonia Green
Citigate Dewe Rogerson
[email protected] 
0207 282 2967

Direct Line

Started in 1985, Direct Line became the first UK insurance company to use the telephone as its main channel of communication. It provides motor, home, travel and pet insurance cover direct to customers by phone or on-line. 
Direct Line general insurance policies are underwritten by U K Insurance Limited, Registered office: The Wharf, Neville Street, Leeds LS1 4AZ. Registered in England and Wales No 1179980. UK Insurance Limited is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority. 
Direct Line and UK Insurance limited are both part of Direct Line Insurance Group plc.
Customers can find out more about Direct Line products or get a quote by calling 0845 300 7838 or visiting www.directline.com

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