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petMD Survey Reveals 90% of Pet Owners Would Choose Pets Over Money in a Divorce; 66% Would Reject a Presidential Candidate Who Doesn't Like Pets

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110608/CL16143 )

"Pet owners are passionately loyal to their pets and they show it in every aspect of their lives. The petMD survey shows that, much like human relationships, pets are a mixture of love, worry, joy and frustration for their owners, who consistently look for ways to improve the quality of their pets' lives. A pet's well-being is indelibly linked to that of its owner, and vice-versa," said Nicolas Chereque, PetMD Co-Founder.

Highlights of the 2011 petMD Pet Owners Survey:

Consumer Products -- Social responsibility equals loyalty

Pet owners are extremely loyal to companies that support animals:

    --  15% would automatically buy the products of a company that supports a
        pet charity over products of a company that does not support a pet
        charity, and that figure goes to...
    --  65% if product quality and price are the same

Politics -- Pet owners could make or break an election

    --  66% of pet owners would not vote for a presidential candidate who is
        perceived not to like pets

Relationships -- Pets come first

In the battle of the sexes, it turns out pets are actually in charge:

    --  90% of pet owners would fight more passionately for their pets than for
        money in a divorce

In the dating world a similar allegiance is revealed:

    --  60% of pet owners would be totally turned off and decline a second date
        if a date didn't like pets
    --  Only 10% would give the person a second date
    --  30% would try to change the person's mind about pets before dumping him
        or her

And in a stat that exemplifies the expression "man's best friend":

    --  73% would choose their pet over a human if they could only have one
        friend

Parenting -- Pets are family members

Pet owners overwhelmingly believe that pets are an essential part of the family:

    --  98% believe it is important for children to grow up around pets

Ever taste your child's baby food?

    --  25% of pet owners report having tasted their pet's food

Pet Owners' Concerns -- Cost of pet care is the least of their worries

    --  Only 12% worry about the cost of their pet's care
    --  In contrast, 25% say their biggest worry is that their pet will get sick

Quality of life is just as important as health:

    --  22% worry that their pet spends too much time alone
    --  20% worry their pet is not happy

Pet Health -- Education is essential

Although pet owners' top worries revolve around their pets' health and wellness:

    --  Only 34% rated their knowledge of what's best for their pet's health as
        excellent

The survey uncovered deficiencies in key areas of pet health knowledge:

    --  A startling one in four pet owners stated that their pets have
        accidentally ingested a toxic substance
    --  Only 5% identified pollen or mold as common pet allergens

Pets Aren't Perfect -- We're human, after all

With all the love, of course, comes a few caring complaints:

    --  53% of pet owners say that scratching and shedding drive them most crazy
        about their pets

Likewise, under the category of if they only had thumbs:

    --  50% of pet owners wish their pets could brush their own teeth
    --  And yes...40% wish their pets could clean-up after they go #2
    --  Only 3% wish their pets could feed themselves

About petMD

petMD is a leading online resource focused solely on the health and well-being of pets. The site maintains the world's largest pet health library, written and approved by a network of trusted veterinarians. petMD was founded to inspire pet owners to provide an ever-increasing quality of life for their pets and to connect pet owners with pet experts and other animal lovers. petMD is a subsidiary of the Pet360 family of brands, which also includes www.PetFoodDirect.com -- the most complete pet food and supply retailer online, and www.NationalPetPharmacy.com -- a fully certified, full-service pet pharmacy delivering pet meds, vitamins and comprehensive pet health and wellness products. For more information, visit www.petMD.com.

SOURCE petMD