The internet is filled with photos of people with their cute pets. A few pets have their own Instagram following of over 2 million. That is exactly 2 million more than what I have.
It got me curious about the importance of pets to their owners. I went on a research spree, scouring the internet in search of all the evidence that makes these fur babies far more important than even their owners.
The empathy experiment
A study was conducted to see how people react to violence against dogs versus humans.
A total of 256 undergraduates were asked to rate their empathy towards fake newspaper clipping. The clipping showed a police report about the object being brutally beaten with a baseball bat, resulting in multiples fractures. The objects varied from being a puppy, a dog, a human baby, and a human adult.
The sympathy meter represented that people didn’t care about the species. They empathized with the human baby, the puppy, the dog, and then the adult human, in that order. The observations had nothing to do with the difference between humans and dogs but rather about the ability to defend. The human baby and the animals couldn’t protect themselves as well as an adult man can.
The middle step of parenting
The younger generation is slowly changing the parenthood norms. Nowadays, both partners are working and mostly busy. This leaves them with a lack of time, attention, and commitment for a baby. People are considering owning pets as a “warmup” for parenting.
Also, the responsibility of a pet costs much lesser considered to an actual human. Unless you are planning to send your dog to college.
Pets are good for mental health
They care, they comfort, and they don’t ask questions. A few people have reported that they like to snuggle with their pets more than their partners. The soft fur is soothing after a long day and some’s all a person wants.
You can tell them all your silly stories and animals won’t judge you. But your mom on the other hand might give you unnecessary self-development lectures.
They are so photogenic
Your cuddle buddies are the best models. They look gorgeous when literally not even paying attention to you. A survey found that people kept more photos of their pets on their phones than compared to images of their significant other.
Are you being also guilty of deleting your toddlers’ photos to save a cute cat moment? Don’t lie, we gotch you.
Pets are just an extension of a family member
Animals are no more confined to pets. Now they are children, family part, brothers/sisters, best friends of people. They need attention, love, and nurturing just like any other person. People build houses, train, feed expensive food, and take their pets to travel journeys.
Whether you love your pet more than other people or not, they are very dear to you. Pets bring out the best in their owners. This post is a reminder to shower your paw-some friends with some love (and treats).
