FOR THE LOVE OF PETS! Nearly half of Brits would consider a break-up if their pet disapproved of their partner, as Mars research highlights the unbreakable pet-owner bond
- More than a quarter of Gen Z pet parents (27%) admit to confiding in their pets about their love life, trusting their pet’s judgement of other people more than their own (35%)
- This comes as over half of UK pet owners (53%) confess they willingly give up their spot on the sofa for their pet and over 30% confess to confiding in their pet - sharing gossip, secrets, or even opening up about their relationship
- The latest research was brought to life this weekend at Goodwoof, with festivalgoers including Bill Bailey and Clare Balding confessing the lengths they would happily go to for their pets
[LONDON, 18 May 2026] – Almost half of UK pet owners (48%) admit they would consider breaking up with a partner if their pet didn't approve 1 , as new research, from Mars, Incorporated - the company behind loved brands including PEDIGREE®, WHISKAS®, SHEBA®, Ben’s Original™, EXTRA®, SNICKERS® - highlights a major shift in how pets factor into our most important life decisions.
This trend is most pronounced among Gen Z, who are redefining the pet-owner relationship: More than a quarter (27%) regularly confide in their pet about their love life - almost twice as likely as the UK average (16%), nearly one in five (18%) have prioritised time with their pet over dates, while over a third (35%) trust their pet’s judgement of other people more than their own (vs 24% UK average).
Dr Tammie King, Animal Behaviour Scientist at Waltham Petcare Science Institute , part of the Petcare business at Mars, explains why this trust might be well-placed: “Pets can be surprisingly good judges of character. Paying attention to their behaviour and body language can tell owners a lot about what makes their pet feel comfortable, safe and at ease.”
It's not just about romantic dealbreakers; according to the data, based on thousands of honest and humorous “pet parent confessions” more than half of UK pet owners (53%) have willingly given up their spot on the sofa for their pet and 31% confess to confiding in their pet, sharing gossip, secrets, or even opening up about their relationship revealing just how strong the emotional bond with pets has become.
Beyond everyday moments, even milestone moments aren’t taking precedence, with owners admitting they would skip a friend's birthday (14%), a major sporting event (11%), or even a wedding (8%) to stay with their animal companion. In fact, over half of owners (52%) admit to cancelling on friends or other plans at least once a week to spend time with their pet. For many Brits, the reasoning was easy – they feel happier knowing their pet wasn't alone (45%).
And it is no surprise that Brits are happily choosing to spend time with their pets. Broader industry research from a 2025 Mars x CALM study shows 83% of owners feel their pet has a positive impact on their mental wellbeing. Most find the simple presence of their pet relaxing (84%), while more than half (56%) say their pet provides comfort through quiet companionship during stressful moments – so much so that 58% would prefer to spend time with their pet when feeling stressed over their partner (32%) or family (23%) 2 . The latest research confirms this, with a quarter (25%) of all respondents admitting their pet is simply their favourite member of the household.
The confessions were brought to life this weekend at Goodwoof, an annual festival which brought together tens of thousands of dog-lovers from across the UK, with competitions, activities, wellness workshops, and entertainment for pets and their owners. Mars invited festivalgoers to share their wildest confessions, which included people turning down a dream job because the office wasn’t dog friendly, getting a tattoo of their dog and taking a trip to Paris for their pooch’s birthday.
The event celebrated the ‘Year of the Rescue’, and for every confession shared at Goodwoof, a £5 donation 3 was made to leading animal welfare charity Battersea, a partner of Mars for 18 years, to support its work in caring for dogs and cats at its centres, across the UK and around the world.
Nick Foster, General Manager of Mars Pet Nutrition, North Europe, said, “We’ve always known that people love their pets, but this research shows they are now central to our lives in ways we’ve never seen before. They’re our confidantes, our support systems, and, it seems, our most trusted relationship advisors! These confessions beautifully reflect the joy and companionship pets bring, and it’s our privilege to help support that incredible bond.”
The new insight reflects the human-animal bond Mars has been supporting for decades. From its humble beginnings in 1935 with the acquisition of UK based Chappell Brothers, makers of Chappie canned dog food, Mars has grown into one of the world’s most trusted names in pet care worldwide. Since then, the company has expanded its portfolio while establishing the pioneering Waltham Petcare Science Institute to deepen scientific understanding of pets’ needs.
Today, that same commitment underpins the approach from Mars to modern pet parenthood globally, helping families navigate the everyday choices and routines reflected in these confessions and supporting healthier, happier relationships between pets and the people who love them. Most recently, Mars has played an active role in driving change for pet-friendly renting, helping influence the direction of the Renters’ Rights Act, working with Battersea to equip both renters and landlords with clear, practical guidance as the legislation comes into effect through its Renting with Pets Guide.
ENDS
Notes to editors
1 All figures unless otherwise stated: Opinium research, conducted on behalf of Mars, Incorporated. Total sample size of 2,000 cat or dog owners, representative across the UK. Research was conducted between 24 th April to 3 rd May.
2 Mars x CALM research , programme was commissioned as part of the Pets and Wellbeing Study program (PAWS) – the world’s largest research program exploring the impact of cats and dogs on human mental health and wellbeing launched by Mars in 2025. This builds on Mars’ long-standing commitment to advancing pet welfare and exploring the mutual benefits of the pet-owner relationship.
3 Up to a maximum of £10,000
Alongside the findings, Dr Tammie, Animal Behaviour Scientist at Waltham Petcare Science Institute, part of the Petcare business at Mars, says the confessions reveal clear insights into what pets need most in their every day lives:
“I cancelled plans because I didn’t want to interrupt their routine.”
Dr Tammie says, “Dogs and cats are highly attuned to familiarity and consistency. Further, they need adequate physical and mental stimulation to support their wellbeing. Maintaining regular patterns - from walks, play time and rest - can help maintain pet health and happiness”
“I’ve given up my spot on the sofa for them.”
Dr Tammie says, “Creating comfortable, familiar spaces helps pets feel secure and supports the human-pet bond, even if it means you have to sit on the floor every once in a while.”
“I seriously considered ending a relationship because my pet didn’t like them.”
Dr Tammie says, “Pets can be surprisingly good judges of character. Paying attention to their behaviour and body language can tell owners a lot about what makes their pet feel comfortable, safe and at ease.”
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ABOUT MARS, INCORPORATED
Mars, Incorporated is driven by the belief that the world we want tomorrow starts with how we do business today. As a $65bn+ family-owned business, our diverse and expanding portfolio of leading pet care products and veterinary services support pets all around the world and our quality snacking and food products delight millions of people every day. We produce some of the world’s best-loved brands including ROYAL CANIN®, PEDIGREE®, WHISKAS®, CESAR®, M&M’S®, SNICKERS®, Pringles®, Cheez-It®, and BEN’S ORIGINAL™. Our international networks of pet hospitals, including BANFIELD™, BLUEPEARL™, VCA™ and ANICURA™ span preventive, general, specialty, and emergency veterinary care, and our global veterinary diagnostics business ANTECH® offers breakthrough capabilities in pet diagnostics. The Mars Five Principles — Quality, Responsibility, Mutuality, Efficiency and Freedom — inspire our more than 170,000 Associates to act every day to help create a better world for people, pets and the planet.
For more information about Mars, please visit www.mars.com . Join us on Facebook (Opens a new window), Instagram (Opens a new window), LinkedIn (Opens a new window)and YouTube (Opens a new window).
ABOUT GOODWOOF
Goodwoof is a celebration of all things canine at the Goodwood Estate. It takes place in the fields around the James Wyatt-designed Kennels, which is the home of Goodwood’s sporting membership. The event offers a wide range of activities and demonstrations designed to delight, entertain and inform. Dog owners and their families and friends can encourage their own dog to Have-a-Go, hear from key behavioural and veterinary experts on The Wellness Stage presented by Mars, enjoy a dip in Fido’s Lido presented by LeShuttle, sit back with a glass of Taittinger champagne, relax in The Randox Health Studio with a spot of Doga (dog Yoga), or marvel at the clever kennels designed by architects from around the world as part Barkitecture presented by Cazenove Capital.
For more information about Goodwoof, please visit www.goodwood.com/goodwoof (Opens a new window). Join us on Facebook (Opens a new window), Instagram (Opens a new window)and TikTok (Opens a new window).
