Meet the people who look just like their pets

people who look like dogs — Do you look just like your pet? (Pictures: ITCHPet)

We’ve all seen those people who look exactly like their pets.

Whether it’s in colouring, the texture of their hair, their posture, or even a certain expression – owners looking just like their cat or dog is surprisingly common. And apparently there’s a scientific reason for that.

A study, commissioned by pet well-being website ITCHpet.com, has found that we are actually more likely to choose pets that we feel look like us.

Men are most likely to pick a look alike pet, with more than one in ten (12%) admitting they bought a specific type of dog or cat because it bore more than a passing resemblance to themselves.

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According to the data, around one in six males (16%) feel their dog or cat has similar eyes to them, with one in ten believing they have the same nose shape or ears as their pet.

Even those who weren’t looking for a spitting image puppy or kitten when they bought a pet, appear to be morphing into their cuddly companion, with one in four (23%) owners of the opinion they now look alike.

‘There is a comfort in seeing yourself look back at you. It’s kind of like a mutual dependency,’ explains animal behaviourist, Professor Peter Neville.

Instead of buying special Kong stuffing, stuff a Kong with cheese cubes and place in the microwave for five seconds.

‘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.’

Benedict and Rupert

Dog doppleganger — Benedict Hurley, 39 (right) with Rupert the Airedale Terrier, (left) Leigh on Sea Essex (Picture: ITCHPet)

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