Dog Owners Feel Closer to Pets Than to Friends or Family
A recent study published in Scientific Reports suggests that people cherish their relationships with their dogs more deeply than those with other humans.
The study involved 717 dog owners, of whom roughly 20% had children and about 80% were in romantic relationships.
Researchers asked participants to evaluate their relationships with their pets, children, romantic partners, closest relatives, and best friends based on 13 attributes, including friendliness, closeness, reliability, satisfaction, and power dynamics.
Participants were also questioned about how often they protect or care for each individual, enjoy fun times together, argue, or feel irritated by them. Additionally, they assessed their confidence in the longevity of these relationships and identified who holds the dominant role.
The findings revealed that dog owners rated their pets higher than close relatives, best friends, and even romantic partners in terms of companionship and the need for care.
Dogs also scored higher than best friends and close relatives in areas such as attachment, reliability, and emotional support. However, when it came to intimate relationships, romantic partners surpassed dogs.
“Dogs offer profoundly positive relationships with minimal conflict, robust social support, and a unique opportunity to fully shape the life of another being,” said Professor Enikő Kubinyi, the study’s senior author.
Lead author Borbála Turcsán noted that the dynamic between a dog and its owner mirrors that of a parent and child due to the asymmetry of power. Yet, unlike children, dogs exhibit far less conflict or antagonism with their owners, resembling the qualities of the finest friendships.