Half of Brits would dump companions if their pet did not approve of the connection
We’re a nation of animal lovers and new research shows that our pets even have a say on the future of our romantic relationships
Half of Brits would end relationships if their pets didn’t approve
Half of UK pet owners admit they’d consider dumping their partner if their pet didn’t approve. A whopping 48% of people confessed that if their furry friend didn’t like their other half, they’d think about giving them the boot.
Mars research highlights a major shift in how pets factor into our most important life decisions. The trend is most pronounced among Gen Z, who are redefining the pet-owner relationship.
More than a quarter (27%) regularly confide in their pet about their love life, almost twice as likely as the UK average (16%).
One in five (18%) have prioritised time with their pet over dates, while more than a third (35%) trust their pet’s judgement more than their own, compared to the UK average of 24%.
It’s not just about romantic dealbreakers; of the 2,000 Brits quizzed, more than half (53%) have willingly given up their spot on the sofa for their pet.
Almost a third (31%) confess to confiding in their pet, sharing secrets and gossip, or even opening up about their relationship.
Owners confessed they would skip a friend’s birthday (14%), a major sporting event (11%) or even a wedding (8%) to stay with their animal companion.
More than half of owners (52%) admit to cancelling on friends or other plans at least once a week to spend time with their pet. For 45% of Brits, the reasoning was easy – they feel happier knowing their pet wasn’t alone.
Broader industry research from a 2025 Mars x CALM study revealed 83% of owners feel their pet has a positive impact on their mental wellbeing.
Most find the simple presence of their pet relaxing (84%), while more than half (56%) say their pet provides comfort through quiet companionship during stressful moments.
This comfort means 58% said they’d prefer to spend time with their pet when feeling stressed over their partner (32%) or family (23%).
The latest research confirms this, with a quarter (25%) of all respondents admitting their pet is their favourite member of the household.
The confessions were brought to life at Goodwoof, an annual festival earlier this month that brought together tens of thousands of dog-lovers from across the UK
Mars invited festivalgoers to share their wildest confessions, which included people turning down a dream job because the office wasn’t dog friendly, getting a tattoo of their dog and taking a trip to Paris for their pooch’s birthday.
The event celebrated the ‘Year of the Rescue’, and for every confession shared at Goodwoof, a £5 donation was made to leading animal welfare charity Battersea, a partner of Mars for 18 years
Dr Tammie King, Animal Behaviour Scientist at Waltham Petcare Science Institute, part of the Petcare business at Mars, said: “Pets can be surprisingly good judges of character
“Paying attention to their body language and behaviour can tell owners a lot about what makes their pet feel safe, comfortable and at ease.”
Nick Foster, General Manager of Mars Pet Nutrition, North Europe, said: “We’ve always known that people love their pets, but this research shows they’re now central to our lives in ways we’ve never seen before.
“They’re our support systems, our confidantes, and, it seems, our most trusted relationship advisors.
“These confessions beautifully reflect the companionship and joy pets bring and it’s our privilege to help support that incredible bond.”
For more information, visit www.mars.com
