Scottish women become mommies to puppies?

The research suggests that childless Scottish women treat their pets like children as a substitute for BABIES. These women show their puppy love by pampering them and treating them like the children.

Survey findings
A survey conducted by Petplan Insurance, as part of the Petplan Census, investigated more than 10,000 pet owners across the UK.

The findings revealed that three out of four pet owners suffer from worry and guilt if they leave their “so-called babies” either alone, or with pet care providers, while they are at workplace.

Scotland on Sunday reported that 75 percent of the women surveyed admitted that they bought their pets birthday and Christmas gifts, and a quarter of them believed in renovating their homes according to their pet's habits and choices.

Also, eighty-two percent of these women affirmed that they loved feeding their pets with goodies like cheese, crisps and cake; and 18 percent of them were told their pets were overweight.

Expert comments
Dr Deborah Wells, Psychologist at Queens University, Belfast said, "Pets can serve as a child 'substitute' offering an outlet for emotional attachment and nurturing behavior."

“Dogs and cats can offer their owners many of the benefits frequently provided by children, including love and affection, companionship and happiness,” she cleared.

Alison Andrew of Petplan Insurance said, “As a nation we’re becoming increasingly pet centric, and every day we see the amazing lengths that owners go to for their pets, and the level of worry that can go with it.”

While some researchers believe that treating pets equal to a human child may bring maternal instincts to a new level, others term the study as “silly and sad”.

Warning the dangers associated with pet-human relationship, behavioral psychologist, Jo Hemmings, said, “You’ve got to allow an animal a certain amount of independence, as much as you would a child, and there is that temptation for a lot of people to go that step too far.”

“There’s a fine line between welcoming an animal’s unconditional love and companionship and turning it into a freak show because you don’t recognize where to draw the line,” she added.