Pets really ARE fur babies! We love our pets because they remind us of infants, expert says

 We all know it and we don't care! Most of us who are cat and dog caregivers have a relationship with our companion animal which bears a resemblance to the parent-baby/infant relationship. There are some distinct similarities, some of which are listed below in the infographic. 

There are some slightly controversial aspects. The psychopathic tendency argument about cats is understandable but they more often show the opposite; a real connection and warmth.

This is not necessarily comprehensive. Cats and infants make a nice comparison in terms of parental relationships and the cat owner often feels like a parent to a child and it is nice.

People want to be nurturing. It is within most of us. That evolutionary impulse is increasingly be discharged on our pets and not on babies and infants as in the West having babies seems to be going out of fashion among the non-ethnic minorities. Germany has a falling human population as I recall except for immigration which props it up and Russia certainly has a falling human population (no surprise there!).

Pope Francis is concerned that Italians are having pets and not kids. He sees the development as slightly ungodly.

Substituting Dogs and Cats for Children

Dr Burnett, a neuroscientist, said: 'Dogs and cats are small with big heads and eyes, they can't speak, they are often playful, but they depend on us rather a lot.

'We are emotionally sensitive to these traits, because they are just like those of babies, so we want to protect them.'

To a large extent this is a bit of fun. There is one slightly serious side to this topic. There is no harm in treating a cat or dog as a child but caregivers should really respect the animal for what they are to ensure that they have the correct expectations and administer appropriate care.

Message to Taylor Swift: please don’t think your cat is a baby.