Two in five pet owners also say they would consider ending a relationship if their partner didn’t like their pet, the study by Animal Friends Insurance for Valentine’s Day found
Britain’s love affair with animals is so strong that many people would rather spend Valentine’s Day with their pet than go on a romantic date, a study found.
More than a third (36%) of pet owners describe their furry friend as their “true love”, while one in five would rather spend February 14 with their pet than a partner. And more than a fifth (22%) say they’d go so far as to cancel a Valentine’s date altogether if it meant staying in with their pet instead.
Dogs and cats are becoming relationship deal-breakers too, with two in five pet owners (44%) admitting they would consider ending a relationship if their partner didn’t like their pet.
The feeling is even stronger among younger people, with two in five members of Gen Z describing their pet as their “true love”. That figure rises to 46% when it comes to Millennials, the research by Animal Friends Insurance found.
Meanwhile, two in five Gen Z members (43%) say they would cancel a date to stay in with their pet on Valentine’s Day, compared to a third of Millennials (33%). The most commonly cited reasons include their animal being better listeners (42%), not judging them (37%), as well as offering a calmer, argument-free alternative to romantic relationships (25%).
More than a quarter (27%) say their pet brings them more emotional support and love than their partner, rising to more than a third of Gen Zs (35%) and nearly a third of Millennials (32%). The survey also found two in five (44%) of people say they would consider ending a relationship if their partner didn’t like their pet.
The study also found that 16% of pet owners expect to spend more cash on their pet than on their partner for Valentine’s Day. This is especially the case among younger generations, with 28% of Gen Z pet owners planning to spend more on their pet than their partner.
Across the country, one in 10 adults expect to spend more than £100 on their pet for Valentine’s Day, with the average at £44. Millennials are the biggest spenders, splurging an average of £55. And six in 10 (61%) say investing in their pet’s health and preventative care is an important way they show affection, rising to two-thirds of Gen Zs (66%) and Millennials (67%).
Charlotte Ashburner, of Animal Friends Insurance, said: “For many of us, pets are no longer just animals we live with – they’re family. This research highlights just how central pets have become to our emotional lives, with many people putting their pet’s happiness, health and companionship first, even on Valentine’s Day.
“For millions of pet owners, love isn’t just about treats or grand gestures – it’s about protecting what matters most. That means planning ahead and investing in their pet’s long-term health and wellbeing, including having the right support in place should the unexpected happen.”