A match made in heaven:
Pets and children
There’s little question that we love our pets and children, with many people not seeing a great difference between the two in their hearts. With its recent research exploring many aspects of pet parenting – and, tangentially, ‘regular’ parenting – PD Insurance has learned a few choice nuggets about how Kiwis relate to pets and how pets relate to family, our wellbeing and more.
For example, it turns out pets can be instructive in child rearing (although whether that works in reverse remains unclear).
According to the pet insurance specialist’s Chief Operating Officer, Michelle Le Long, “Pets play a key role in family life, where not only do they provide unconditional love but, for many, the cats and dogs of the household benefit children’s development too.”
“In a digitally-focused me-first world, our pets play a big role in encouraging children to take more time off their devices and explore the world around them. Not to mention teaching them about accountability and compassion for others.”
Survey results galore
The comprehensive 20-question research survey saw PD Insurance ask its customers to opt in and answer all kinds of questions about their pets, relationships, financial implications of pet (and child) parenting, pet health concerns, and much more.
Some 2,000 people responded, serving up more than a few fascinating insights, including a look into how pets influence family life.
Roles and responsibilities
Everyone knows teaching responsibility is among the toughest of parenting tasks. Having pets is a responsibility from which children can (and do) learn how to care.
New Zealand’s pet parents usually make bringing up Fido and Fluffy a central part of shared obligation: when PD Insurance asked, ‘is walking or feeding a pet part of your child’s/children’s chores? If so, why?’, the people spoke. 98% said ‘Yes’.
There’s a little more nuance, with 45% qualifying that by explaining ‘because it teaches them responsibility’. A further 8% noted it gets kids off the devices and 10% said ‘walkies’ encourage more outdoor activity (which, yes, also means a reduction in screen time). The primary reason for 15% of respondents is that their youngsters enjoy the outings, with another 20% saying a cruise around the neighbourhood with the pooches is essential for pet-child bonding.
“Pets are important in kids’ lives. They’re great for mental health, give us exercise and comfort, and with children especially they assist in learning to be conscientious and considerate. Anyone who’s seen the love between a young child and a family pet just knows,” Le Long comments.
Research shows pets can teach empathy, responsibility, and love, including helping youngsters express affection by petting, being gentle, and hugging. Pets have even been credited with helping children overcome shyness, develop trust, and enhance social skills. Woof to that!
Screens, you say? Pet socials
Looking at the ‘on’ side of screentime, many pets are making it big on socials. Almost one third of pet parents follow at least one pet on Facebook, Instagram, Tik Tok or elsewhere.
“While we’re big believers in living in the real world, screens are ever-present and can be useful for education, laughs and plenty in between. Lots of us get a pet fix online,” says Le Long.
When asked ‘do you follow any pets or pet influencers on social media?’ 34% answered in the affirmative. For those who said no or just aren’t in the know, the wonderful world of social media is replete with other pet parents who put their pride and joy online. The internet is still full of funny cat videos, but now millions of pets have profiles – raking in millions of views, likes and shares (the most popular Insta dog-fluencer to date is ‘Jiffapom’, at 9.3 million followers).
Among the more popular pet posters for the PD research respondents were ‘Doug the pug’, ‘Bertieandmaisie’, ‘Rufus and Rocco the frenchies’, ‘GriffinFrenchies’, ‘Fisher the Maine Coon’, ‘WinnieBear the Frenchie’, ‘Catmantoo’, ‘Jackson Galaxy’ and ‘Lucy_loo_the_pawsome_lab’. There were plenty more, too, with a feline or pooch out there on the socials to suit everyone.
An online dose of pet goodness
Le Long says the reasons for people following pets are as varied as the reasons for people following other people: “Generally, it’s for a bit of escapism or light relief, which can include lessening the daily stress, getting a quick chuckle, or just whiling away spare time.”
Pets simply make us feel good, with psychiatrists saying the visual engagements trigger the same happy hormones that a real pet snuggle will.
Whatever your social media habits or ways of bringing children into the pet lifestyle, Le Long says considering pet insurance is a good idea. It can remove one of the biggest stress sources for any pet parent – the risk of an unexpected vet bill – and helps bring predictability to finances.
“Another of our research insights is that 83% of people said if they didn’t have pet insurance they’d be concerned if faced with an unexpected $1,000 vet bill. 48% would be very concerned. Pet insurance means peace of mind, sometimes from as little as a dollar a day,” she concludes.
Media contact
Leandri Smith – The Mail Room
027 365 9003 | [email protected]