Article Summary
A Freshpet survey found that 49% of dog owners consider their pets to be their ultimate soulmate rather than a romantic partner, with 88% describing their bond with their dog as a soul-level connection. The research shows that dogs provide unmatched emotional understanding and comfort, with half of dog owners turning to their pets as their first source of comfort during difficult times.
- 49% of dog owners say their dog, not a romantic partner, is their ultimate soulmate
- 88% of respondents view their bond with their dog as a soul-level connection, and 88% felt they were meant to find each other
- 50% of dog owners turn to their dog as their first source of comfort during difficult days
- Half of dog owners in relationships talk to their dog more than their significant other on an average day
- 78% of dog owners regularly narrate or imagine what their dog is thinking or feeling
New research from Freshpet found that a growing share of dog owners consider their pets to be soulmates rather than companions, with many describing an emotional connection they liken to fate.
According to the survey from Freshpet, 49% of dog owners said their dog, not a romantic partner, is their ultimate soulmate, citing a level of emotional understanding they described as unmatched. Nearly nine in 10 respondents said they view their bond with their dog as a soul-level connection, and 88% said they felt they and their dog were meant to find each other.
The survey also found that 46% of dog owners know their dog's astrological sign, and 21% said their signs are compatible with their pet's.
Half of respondents said their dog is the first source of comfort they turn to during a difficult day. Among dog owners who feed their pets Freshpet regularly, 98% said their dogs appeared more enthusiastic at mealtime, and 93% said their dogs seemed happier overall.
“For over two decades, Freshpet has been guided by a simple belief: pets are family. Now, this new data proves that the bond goes even deeper — for millions of people, our pets are our ultimate soulmate,” said Nicki Baty, chief operating officer at Freshpet. “They comfort us on our hardest days and offer unmatched emotional support. A connection this deep calls for a higher standard of care. That's why we aren't just making fresh, real food; we're fueling a movement that treats our four-legged kindred spirits with the same love and respect as any human family member.”
The survey also examined how dog owners communicate with their pets. Respondents said they talk to their dogs about everything from daily frustrations to major life decisions. Half of dog owners in relationships said they talk to their dog more than their significant other on an average day, and 78% said they regularly narrate or "give a voice" to what they imagine their dog is thinking or feeling.
Survey: The survey was conducted online among 1,000 U.S. dog owners between April 24 and May 1, 2026. The margin of error for the total sample is plus or minus 3 percentage points at the 95% confidence interval.
