45% of British pet owners believe their four legged friends share their human emotions and can sense when they are upset or unwell, according to a new survey announced by Bayer Animal Health.

The 'Pets are Human Too' study of 3,000 British dog and cat owners was commissioned by the company to celebrate Drontal's www.mypetsuperstar.com competition.

According to the study:

• 32% of cat and dog owners say their pet is a much better listener than their partner.
• 15% of those questioned admit they love their pet so much that they have their dog or cat's image as their own Facebook profile picture, and a quarter have a picture of their pet as their office PC screensaver.
• Forget traditional names like Spot and Scrappy, 33% of the nation would rather give their animal a human name such as Dave, Alan or Sharon.
• One in five pet owners (19%) always sign greetings cards with their pet's paw print, and one in 10 (8%) even throw their dog or cat an annual birthday party, inviting their pets' best friends over for their favourite pet food cake.
• 9% confess to telling their pet a personal secret that they would not have dared to share with their closest human confidants, whilst one in 10 pet owners believes their pet has psychic powers or shares the personality traits of a deceased loved one.
• 41% of dog owners feel that their pet loves them more than their partner, whilst 24% admit they would rather spend quality time with their animal companion over their husband or wife.

TV vet and My Pet Superstar Judge Emma Milne, said: "The joy and companionship our pets bring to our lives is unquestionable and it is no wonder that many consider them to be 'man's best friend'.  Britain is a nation of proud pet owners and now, with the launch of My Pet Superstar, we all have a chance to show them off!"

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