Having a pet is more likely to make you happy than being in a relationship

Having a pet is more likely to make you happy than being in a relationship.

The research, by pet food brand IAMS, shows two thirds of pet owners spend more time with their animal than the people they live with - and over one third talk to their pet more than their family.

When asked to rank what made them happiest - 30 percent of respondents said their cat or dog, compared with just 27 percent of people who said their partner.