People in the UK are often choosing to get a new family pet instead of having a baby, according to research from Petplan.
Around 37 per cent of those surveyed said that they would consider buying a broody partner a pet instead of starting a family with almost the same amount of males and females saying this was something they would do.
Of the married couples who responded to the poll, one in 20 said they had bought either a cat or a dog instead of having a child with 17 per cent of other respondents saying the main reason they got a pet was so they didn't have to come back to an empty house.
Those considering getting a pet should consider the financial implications of such a purchase and ensure they factor
pet insurancecover into their spending plans.
A spokesman for Petplan said: "This research shows that we are treating our pets more like members of our family than ever before and we are even naming them as we would our children."
A recent poll from Veterinary Pet Insurance compared the cost of paying for pets to be treated with some of the most wanted Christmas gifts, finding that surgery to remove a swallowed item could cost as much as an Apple MacBook.
InsureandGo offer
pet insurance for any family friend.