Does your pet look like you? Pet wellbeing website, Itchpet, commissioned a study of 2,000 dog and cat owners to see how many had the most striking resemblance with their four-legged friends — and the pictures are quite revealing.
According to their findings, men are most likely to adopt a lookalike pet, with around 16% explaining that they think their pet has similar eyes to them. Meanwhile, 10% of male owners believe their dog or cat has the same nose as them.
Elsewhere in the study, researchers also found that 24% of owners have been told they look similar to their pet, while another 11% said they found themselves behaving in a similar way to their furry friends.
"There is a comfort in seeing yourself look back at you. It's kind of like a mutual dependency," professor Peter Neville, Leading British animal behaviourist, said.
"The dog is dependent on you anyway and doesn't really care what you look like. But if you see aspects of your own image you feel more comfortable. There are two of you against the world. I think in the broadest sense of family it's about identification, projecting a common image, there's more than one of me. Because my dog looks similar to me, you can't mistake me, if you think about me, you think about my dog too."
Charlotte Harper, co-founder of Itchpet also added: "As we grow closer to our pets, particularly in difficult times, it's understandable that we are more likely to look for similarities between them and us.
"This is all part of building relationships, and it brings us closer to our furry friends. From a pet's perspective, we would hope all pets are treated like one of the family as they should be."
It's often true that we become similar to those that we live with, but could owners resemble their pets, too? Take a look at the images of owners looking identical to their dogs and cats below. They'll be sure to make you smile...
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The best dog nail clippers to keep paws neat and tidy
Pet supplier Petstoreo was founded by two working veterinarians who have created an extensive range of high-quality and sustainable pet products, including these sturdy nail clippers.
An adjustable claw guard allows you to change the size of the clipping area to more precisely accommodate your dog's nails. It has a safety guard for storage and non-slip rubber handles.
Using an electric grinder is effective, but loud noises may faze more nervous dogs. This one has been designed to be extra-quiet to avoid causing any upset. It has a four-hour charge and two speeds; a slower one for trimming to length and another for filing smooth afterwards.
Another affordable pair, but guillotine-style instead. Their ergonomic design is easy to use and will get the job done efficiently, delivering sharp clean cuts.
This cordless nail grinder comes with five file attachments that can be switched out. Two sanding drums are also included to keep the files at their best. It’s one of the cheaper nail grinders we’ve seen, but bear in mind that it is battery-powered rather than rechargeable.
This cordless grinder has LED lights, providing a clearer view of claws. It has a two-hour charge and a low vibration.
Designed to clip just the tip of the nail, these clippers have a unique patent-pending conical blade that doesn't crush the nail. Recommended by veterinarians and groomers, they also come in a range of sizes so you can find the right one.
If you're nervous about cutting your pooch's nails for the first time, try these clippers. An anti-slip handle helps you maintain a firm grip so you can comfortably cut their nails, while a spring-loaded safety stop prevents over-cutting.
This electric nail grinder is suitable for all breeds. It has two speeds and three grinding ports, so you can choose the right setting for your pet. It also has a two-hour charge.
We love this handy nail trimmer, which comes with four practical LED lights. It also has a replacement blade and a nail trapper which helps catch nail clippings for an easy clean-up.
Designed to cut any type or thickness nail safely, this clipper set also comes with a handy file so you can get your dog's nails just right.
Lisa Joyner is the Deputy Daily Editor at House Beautiful UK and Country Living UK, where she's busy writing about home and interiors, gardening, dog breeds, pets, health and wellbeing, countryside news, small space inspiration, and the hottest properties on the market. Previously, she has written for Conde Nast Traveller, House & Garden and Marie Claire magazine. Lisa studied at University For The Creative Arts, where she completed a BA in Fashion Journalism.
