New research from Rover reveals that Brits believe raising a pup together is a bigger sign of commitment than marriage
London, 19th March 2024: Rover.com, the world’s largest online marketplace for loving pet care, has today revealed that when it comes to embarking on parenthood, three quarters (75%) of Brits believe getting a pup together is the best form of preparation.
Putting this theory into practice, nearly half (40%) admitted to getting a dog with their significant other as a trial run for the real thing, agreeing that pet ownership requires the necessary skills for being good parents, including responsibility (80%), patience (87%), and trust (55%). The top ten include:
- Patience (87%)
- Responsibility (80%)
- Consistency (58%)
- Attentive (55%)
- Trust (55%)
- Boundary setting (54%)
- Showing affection (54%)
- Empathy (49%)
- Adaptability (45%)
- Time management (44%)
Giving Brits a taste of what’s to come, 58% said it was the financial demand of their pups, such as vet bills and pet food, that prepared them most for the reality of parenthood; closely followed by the sleepless nights (48%) and toilet training (47%). Meanwhile, one in four (25%) confessed that getting a pooch together meant there was less room for spontaneity in the relationship, whether that be less alone time in the bedroom (25%) or a surprise trip away (29%) – setting them up for life with a real baby.
In fact, this trial run helped 78% of pet owners identify their parenting styles, with attachment (42%) and free-range parenting (24%) proving to be the most popular.
And while this ulti-mutt test led to a breakup for 28% of couples whose partners pet parenting proved not to be up to scratch, for a whopping 91%, their pup made them feel much more confident in both their own and their partner’s childcare skills. 93% even agreed that they felt like a real family after welcoming their four-legged friend, and that having a pup together strengthened their relationship (85%).
However, it’s clear that committing to a fur-baby is a decision not to be taking lightly, with Brits agreeing that couples should wait nearly two years (22 months on average) before getting a dog together. In fact, 67% believe this is a bigger sign of commitment than opening a joint bank account, buying a house together (28%), and even more serious than marriage (27%).
Adem Fehmi, Rover’s Canine Behaviourist comments, “Naturally, owning a dog brings about a huge amount of responsibility and requires a lot of time, patience, and commitment. However, if having a baby is a long-term plan of yours, it is important not to be naive and believe that getting a dog will prepare you for raising a child. Whilst we may love our dogs as if they were our own babies, in reality, raising a dog is a whole different experience to raising a child. If you’re considering having a baby shortly after welcoming a puppy or young dog, I’d urge you to carefully consider if they have the financial resources and time to offer the appropriate level of care to both a dog and a potential child.
“Careful thought needs to be given to how to adapt and ensure that the needs of all family members, both two legged and four, are met in this time of transition and going forwards. When considering a pet, this may mean that extra costs need to be factored in, to ensure the happiness of your dog going forwards and to help create harmony in the family home for all. During these times of transition, you can use a platform like Rover to connect you to local sitters, who will treat your pets like family.”
For an extra helping hand, Rover is offering a code for new users to receive £20 off its services to allow a loving sitter or walker to care for their pet when they are unable to. Enter the code PAWRENTS24. Terms and conditions apply.
To find out more, visit https://www.rover.com/uk
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Notes to Editors
A Rover survey of 1,000 UK dog parents conducted via Pollfish in February 2024.
Discount code only for new customers on first purchase. Subject to Rover.com Terms of Service. Expires 30/06/2024. © 2024 Rover
About Rover:
Founded in 2011 and operating in ten countries, Rover® is the world’s largest online marketplace for loving pet care. Rover connects dog and cat owners with loving pet care whenever they need it. Millions of services have been booked on Rover, including pet sitting, dog walking, in-home boarding, drop-in visits, and doggy day care. To learn more about Rover, please visit https://www.rover.com/uk/ or see our press room here: https://www.rover.com/uk/blog/press/
For more information, please contact: rover@brands2life.com / 020 7592 1200