Can you imagine an Australia without pets?

It’d be like Sydney without the opera house, toast without vegemite or a ute without a dog in the back (carefully harnessed of course.)

With six out of every ten houses in Australia owning some kind of pet, there’s no denying that we’re a nation of animal lovers. In fact, studies show that almost all owners chat to their pets (though not necessarily in earshot of anyone else) and 80% reckon that they make great company.

Our affection for our pets makes sense of the decidedly human names we’re giving them. Gone are the “Spots” “Fluffies” and “Sooties” and instead the latest in the top five are Bella, Charlie, Max, Oscar and Coco. They’re the kinds of names we turn to when under stress and confide in when we’re lonely.

Which is exactly what the research says Australians are doing: 79% of owners find it comforting to have a pet at hand “when things go wrong” and 81% of owners say that they never feel alone with their pet. In actual fact, 56% of women and 41% of men say their pet is more affectionate than their partner!

Without pets we’d also have to think twice about that second sausage at the Christmas BBQ. Research shows that pet ownership amounts to a possible 4% reduction in risk of heart disease – the equivalent to starting a low-salt diet or cutting down on alcohol.

Finally, our love of pets really helps the Australian economy. In 2007, we spent $4.74 billion on our pets including food, services and health.

Yes, Australians love their pets and they, in turn, love us back and help our health and well-being. So an Australia without pets? As the bloke from “the Castle” would say, “Tell ‘em they’re dreaming!”

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