Man's best friend offers more emotional support than a close one, according to pet owners

Research by Cliverton, specialist insurance supplier for animal related trades, that more than three-quarters (80 per cent) of owners said their dog had provided more emotional support and comfort than friends or relatives.

And so deep is the trauma when a dog dies that almost half (45 per cent) said it would deter them from buying a dog in the future.

“Unlike humans, dogs never let you down,” said Lynne Fisher, Associate Director at Cliverton. “Through good times and bad times, they are there by your side.

“The bond between dogs and owners is extremely strong – ‘companionship’ was cited as the main reason for getting a dog – so the depth of feeling experienced when they die is totally understandable.”

The survey also found that more than three-quarters (80 per cent) of owners said their dog had provided more emotional support and comfort than friends or relatives.

“In difficult times, simply stroking a dog can be a very reflective and therapeutic activity. It can help reduce stress and encourage mindfulness,” said Fisher.

“However depressed you might be feeling, knowing that you have to feed and walk the dog gives you a reason to get out of bed in the morning. This is something that Ricky Gervais captured perfectly, in his sitcom After Life.

“Some people even find it comforting to voice their worries, fears and upsets to their dog. It’s a way of organising and rationalising your thoughts, venting and offloading, secure in the knowledge that whatever you say, you are not going to cause concern, in the way that talking to family members might. Dogs offer no judgement.”

The psychological benefits of having a dog could explain why dog ownership in the UK is at a ten-year high, with 11 million dogs being owned..

“When you consider the level of support dogs provide, it makes it more important than ever to care for them,” Fisher added.

“It is only right and fair that anyone thinking of having a dog needs to be fully aware of the responsibilities that come with it.

“The latest available figures from the RSPCA show that 8,305 dogs were abandoned in 2022."