• by Jack Loechner , Staff Writer @mp_research, April 14, 2005

For those in the pet, pet accessories, and pet services businesses, here's a heads-up for your "behavioral targeting" strategies. According to a study of pet owners by BizRate Research for Shopzilla, pampered pets are becoming women's priority vs. their partners.

The study reports that 56% of women feel that their pets are more affectionate than their partner, while only 41% of men feel that way.  And 45% of women think their pets are cuter than their partners, twice as many as men. In the study, women said they had a deeper emotional connection with their pets than men did.

Other findings include:

• 73% of female pet owners report they are more inclined to date or marry someone who also has a pet
• 72% of women pet owners report their pets make them happier than their jobs. (compared to only 60% of the men)
• Women are inclined to spend about $50-$100 a month on their pet
• 39%% of women pet owners would consider taking their pet to a pet psychic, groomer or therapist
• 37% of the female owners will consider a pet funeral (almost twice as many as men)
• The survey saw that 36% of women owners take their pets along with them to run errands such as shopping or going to the hair salon
• 70% of female pet owners feel that their pets reflect their personality

In the past 10 years, the pet industry has doubled in size to $34 billion a year in revenue, according to the American Pet Product Manufacturing Association), and the most registered dog breeds are Labrador Retriever, Golden Retriever and German Shepherd says the American Kennel Club.