I’ve often assumed that many people have pets instead of riskier potentially unmanageable children.  And sometimes I’ve assumed that many people cherish pets more than they cherish people.  If a dog and a person fell overboard and you could only save one, who are you going to save?

Now we have this study: “Pet owners often see dogs as soulmates and value them more than human lives.”

Abstract:

Dogs have ascended to core family members in American households. Across three studies, we show that modern dogs now occupy roles historically reserved for close human relationships and often receive greater moral concern than people. Approximately three out of four dog owners view their dogs as primary sources of emotional support and companionship, and this “soulmate” bond is associated with a tendency to prefer and prioritize dogs over people. Childless dog owners are especially likely to view their dog as a soulmate, and national and county-level analyses further reveal that declining birth rates are strongly associated with increased pet-related spending. This suggests that dogs may fulfill caregiving roles once reserved for children and close kin. To assess the implications of this shift, we presented dog owners with moral dilemmas pitting the welfare of dogs against humans. Owners who viewed their dogs as soulmates were more likely to feed, fund, and save the life of a dog over a person. More than half of dog owners chose to save their dog over a human stranger, one in five chose to save an unfamiliar puppy over a person, and one in four chose to give money to a puppy in need over a child in need. The moral elevation of dogs may reflect—and potentially contribute to—declines in human social connection.

Is there a downside to this pet worship? This same study points out:

While dogs may seem easier than human relationships, favoring them could come at the cost of human connection. Research suggests that social connection can be zero-sum; forming deep bonds with some often results in less concern for others. Reflecting this phenomenon, owners strongly bonded to their pets often socialize less, opting instead to stay home with their pets.

Increased attachment to dogs may also have ethical consequences. Animals, especially dogs, are frequently cast as helpless victims and receive greater concern than vulnerable humans. Many report feeling more distress for dogs than for adult people, and dog owners in particular often prioritize their pet over a human stranger in life-or-death scenarios.