Couples opt for pet before baby
New research has shown that almost half of UK couples test the water with a pet before taking the plunge into parenthood
The study, carried out by The Co-operative Pet Insurance, found that “peternal” instincts are the first to come to the fore for new couples, but within a year a high proportion of couples are already preparing to swap their leads for pushchairs.
40% of new couples are expecting their first baby within 12 months of buying a pet. One in five couples did not feel up to the challenge of a child when they took on their furry friend, while 14% simply could not afford the cost of bringing up a newborn.
The statistics are varied across the country, with 68% of couples in the West Midlands the most likely to conceive shortly after buying a pet, compared with just 11% in Yorkshire and the Humber.