More than a quarter of new pet parents book time off work to bond with their cat or dog when they first bring them home. 

A poll of 2,000 owners found over three quarters (76%) believe early attachment is very important for the long-term relationship with their pet. With an estimated 26 million cat and dog owners in the UK, that’s almost 19.8 million who believe early attachment is vital.

The activities pet parents believe helped most in building trust with one another were playing (50%), giving cuddles (42%) and treats (36%).

Almost half (45%) said it took a week to build a connection with their pets, but 48% admitted they found that first week a challenge in general.

In fact, 56% of Gen Z found that their pet warmed up to them faster than they expected, compared to 32% of boomers.

However, 36% of pet owners were surprised by how quickly their new addition settled in, and 25% by how playful they were right off the bat.

Interestingly, more than a quarter (28%) said they spent significant time researching their pet’s breed, mix, and behaviour before bringing them home, with 62% believing this information would help them care for their pet better.

Animal behaviourist Caroline Wilkinson, who has teamed with pet DNA testing service Wisdom Panel, which commissioned the research, said: “Bonding isn’t just about affection - it’s about understanding your pet’s signals, body language, and needs.

“The early days set the tone for your entire relationship, so giving your pet time, patience and positive experiences helps build the trust that every healthy human animal bond relies on.”

In terms of what information would have been most useful to owners before bringing their new pet home, 29% said understanding their pet’s behavioural background  - including any fears or training progress was key. Others said knowledge around their medical history (28%) and dietary requirements (23%) would have been useful.

But 40% still wish they had a better understanding of their pet’s breed, behaviours, and traits.

While 62% reported knowing a lot about their pet, they still said they would love to learn more and deepen their bond further, with 38% of those polled via OnePoll considering using a pet DNA test to learn more about their pet’s health, breed, behaviour or relatives.

A spokesperson for Wisdom Panel said: “Understanding your pet on a deeper level is key to building a lasting, healthy relationship.

“Every breed – and every pet – has its own set of behaviours, preferences and health considerations.

“By uncovering these insights early on, owners can nurture a more confident, trusting connection that benefits both sides whilst offering more tailored care to their pet.

“It’s great to see how many would consider using a pet DNA test as the insights these show you really help you learn even more about the way your pet behaves, which ultimately allows you to make more informed decisions about their care.”