“Do you actually like me?”

If you’ve ever looked at your dog or cat and wondered what’s really going on inside their head, you’re by no means alone.

From “Are you happy?” to “Do you secretly judge me?”, UK pet owners are full of questions they wish their furry companions could answer – from the heartfelt to the absurd.

We asked 2,000 cat and dog owners, and found that more than half often wish they could properly talk to their pets to understand how they really feel. And who can blame them?

The biggest questions pet owners want answered

According to our survey, some of the most common questions people want to ask include:

• “Are you happy?”
• “Do you like me?”
• “Do you like your life?”
• “What’s actually happening in that head?”
• “What’s your favourite food?”

Others seemed to tread the line between inquisitive and neurotic.

Around one in 10 cat owners admitted they’ve wondered what their feline is plotting, while others wanted to know:

• Whether their pets judge them
• If they get jealous
• Whether they gossip about them to other animals

And perhaps the most touching finding: 34% of owners wanted to know their pet’s favourite thing they do together.

Are pets just like us?

The findings highlight how emotionally connected many owners feel to their pets:

• 88% of owners said they truly understand their pet
• 41% believe their pet understands them better than other people do
• Another 41% regularly talk to their pets as though they were human

Many owners also imagine their pets having very human personality traits, including:

• A distinct sense of humour
• Favourite foods
• Pride in their appearance

And nearly half admitted they’ve even asked their pet for advice on a big life decision – despite knowing they probably wouldn’t get an answer back.

Why we’re so fascinated by what our pets think

Cats and dogs communicate with us all the time – through body language, vocalisation and behaviour. But because they can’t speak our language, there’s always a little mystery involved.

That uncertainty can sometimes lead to questions about behaviour, emotions and wellbeing, like:

• “Are they stressed?”
• “Are they bored?”
• “Why do they do that?”

For many owners, understanding their pet better is part of being a responsible and caring pet parent.

Find out more about whether your cat is stressed or dog is stressed.

Modern pet owners are hungry for advice

The research also revealed that many owners actively seek out advice to help care for their pets properly.

• 43% said they’d like easier access to vets or pet experts
• 54% turn to podcasts for pet advice and information

It seems there’s a growing appetite for trustworthy, easy-to-understand guidance – especially when it comes to behaviour and health.

Some of the practical dilemmas owners admitted struggling with included:

• Whether dogs in the park are playing, fighting or trying to mate
• What to do if a dog accidentally gets another dog pregnant
• Whether cats should be allowed to roam in neighbours’ gardens

Every pet is different

Dr Who actor and content creator James Hoyles teamed up with Petgevity alongside his dog Trevor the Iggy to explore some of owners’ most unusual questions.

He said:

“Having a pet means you never stop learning, especially when you realise just how complex they can be.

“No pet is the same – every animal is different and will have different needs, and it is completely normal to have questions you never expected to ask.”

So… what do our pets really think?

Sadly, we might never know whether our cats secretly mock us at 3am or whether our dogs think we’re excellent singers.

But the research does show something reassuring: pet owners care deeply about their animals and genuinely want to understand them better.

Petgevity marketing manager Kerry Willecome says:

“They aren’t just pets but friends and members of our family.

“We develop deep meaningful connections with our pets, which is why it’s always worth seeking trusted advice when something doesn’t seem quite right.

“And the fact owners are still asking questions shows how much they care about getting it right.”

Whether your dog stares at you like you hold the secrets of the universe, or your cat acts like they’re reluctantly tolerating your existence, one thing’s for certain – having them around makes life much more interesting.

THE TOP 25 BURNING QUESTIONS OWNERS HAVE FOR THEIR PETS:

1. Are you happy?
2. Do you like your life?
3. Do you understand every word I say?
4. What’s your favourite thing we do together?
5. What is actually happening in that head?
6. Do you wish I did anything differently?
7. What’s your favourite type of food?
8. Do you like me?
9. Does my cat/dog like or love me?
10. Which family members do you like and dislike?
11. Do you ever talk about me to other animals?
12. Do you ever judge me?
13. Do you ever get jealous?
14. Have you ever considered running away?
15. Do you secretly know more than me?
16. If you could create a new rule for the house, what would it be?
17. Do you ever visit other human’s houses?
18. Are you plotting something?
19. Have you ever fallen in love?
20. If you had a secret talent, what would it be?
21. If you could speak any language, which would you choose (besides animal-speak)?
22. If you could swap bodies with any animal for a day, which would you choose?
23. Can you read?
24. Would you like being famous?
25. Are you the one who keeps stealing the remote?

While some things are destined to remain a mystery, there’s peace-of-mind pet insurance for those who crave certainty.