Abstract: Participants (N = 717) characterized their relationships with their dog and four human partners: closest kin, romantic partner, best friend, and child, using the Network of Relationships Inventory. The results showed that owners reported greater satisfaction with their dogs than with any human partner except their child. They received more Support from dogs than from any human partner except their child and experienced fewer Negative Interactions with their dogs compared to any human partner, except their best friend. Overall, the relationship with the dog provided high Companionship, opportunities for Nurturance, and minimal Negative Interactions. This may stem from the fact that the dog-human relationship features a more asymmetric power dynamic than human relationships – i.e., owners have full control over the dog’s life

Turcsán, B., Ujfalussy, D.J., Kerepesi, A. et al. Similarities and differences between dog–human and human–human relationships. Sci Rep 15, 11871 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-95515-8

    • Venus_Ziegenfalle@feddit.orgEnglish
      17·
      2 days ago

      I say this all the time. My cat is my best friend. I also have other friends but still it’s not even close. My cat wakes me up every morning at the same time, knows my entire routine, greets me at the door when I come home and curls up with me in bed. In turn I also know her routine and I make an effort to understand and provide what she needs in terms of food, games and environmental enrichment. It’s more symbiotic than any human relationship I’ve ever had.

        • FunctionallyLiterate@lemmy.caEnglish
          36·
          2 days ago

          That’s the thing, tho - I could take them, and after a getting to know each other period they’d likely be fine with me. There’s no real loyalty as long as they get what they want. Dogs might adapt, but if they see their original human love even after a year or more, they’re dumping your ass for that person.

            • FunctionallyLiterate@lemmy.caEnglish
              11·
              2 days ago

              You’re one up on me. Many years ago, I was in a situation for a while where I had to home my cat at the time with my aunt who was a bit of a “crazy cat lady.” When I came to visit a few months later, he didn’t really react to my presence at all.

              • Whostosay@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
                61·
                2 days ago

                That’s because cats don’t automatically like you. They have autonomy. You have to earn it. And that’s what really separates cats from dogs.

                • FunctionallyLiterate@lemmy.caEnglish
                  11·
                  2 days ago

                  Well, that’s quite an insulting assumption of how our relationship stood. Even if he wasn’t into me as you not so subtly imply, he was most definitely into my spouse & the reaction was the same.

                  Maybe - just maybe - it’s possible some are different than others?

                  Nah.

                  My thinking is that he was getting the socialization with other cats at my aunt’s that he didn’t have as a solo cat in our home.

                  • Whostosay@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
                    2·
                    2 days ago

                    It wasn’t intended to be insulting, they just don’t readily get along with people right off the bat, there’s a whole song and dance, there’s also a shit load of environmental factors to consider.

                    It could be that, too.

          • idiomaddict@lemmy.worldEnglish
            5·
            2 days ago

            I moved overseas and sent my cat to stay with a friend while I was getting settled. After about six weeks, I finally had a stable apartment and everything, so I went to pick her up. She was asleep when I got there, but woke up as soon as she smelled me, climbed up to my shoulders (not a thing she typically does), and frantically kneaded and meowed at me until I detached her so we could leave after hanging out with the friend for an hour or so. It was heartbreaking and I haven’t left her since