Half of pet owners believe animals are the hidden support network of the UK - helping them overcome bereavements, break-ups and simply a bad day at work.<br /><br />A poll of 2,000 adults who have a cat or dog found their four-legged friends regularly help them when they’re feeling down.<br /><br />They claim pets have helped improve their mood when they’ve been ill (47 per cent), after a bad day at work (39 per cent) and following an argument (22 per cent).<br /><br />Actions that give humans the boost they need are their cat or dog snuggling into them (65 per cent) or greeting them when arriving home (58 per cent).<br /><br />It also emerged 54 per cent believe spending time with animals acts as therapy, while three quarters feel being a cat or dog owner has helped improve their mental health.<br /><br />Nearly half (49 per cent) also claim it’s had a positive impact on their physical health.<br /><br />The research was commissioned by pet care specialists Purina, which is launching a campaign to spotlight the support pets provide to people in need.<br /><br />Calum Macrae, CEO of Purina UK & Ireland, said: “We believe that pets are absolutely the UK’s hidden support network – they really are the ones there by our side, often when we need them most.
