Americans pick pet over partner for desert island: Poll

The survey of 1,105 pet owners by Petplan, a provider of health insurance for dogs and cats, also found more than half threw parties for their pets, nearly 70 per cent share their beds with a pet, 63 per cent cook for their pets and 68 per cent dress their pets up.

Americans spent about $48 billion on pets in 2007, according to US consumer research company Packaged Facts.