7 in 10 pet owners let their furry friend get away with anything — because they’re too cute!

NEW YORK — Do you have a furry friend that you simply can’t bring yourself to discipline? Don’t worry, you’re not alone. Seven in 10 American pet parents are looking the other way when it comes to the trouble their pets get into – because they’re just so darn cute!

A OnePoll survey asked 2,000 pet owners about the bad habits their pets have picked up and how they react to them. Seventy-one percent said they’re more lenient with their pets than a significant other’s bad habits.

Commissioned by Yummy Combs ahead of National Pet Dental Health Month, the poll finds the average pet parent will put up with about 15 bad habits a week from their fur babies. Those range from sitting on their computer and deleting their work, to counter surfing, to eating something they shouldn’t.

Pets sure get away with a lot of bad habits!

Pets Bad HabitsSome of the most common habits America’s pets are guilty of include knocking things off the counter, eating random things off the floor, and jumping onto furniture when they’re not supposed to. Three in 10 respondents also shared that their pets are often guilty of dragging their behinds across the carpet and taking a seat on their laptops at inconvenient times.

Another common bad habit America’s pets have in common are their cravings for table scraps and – something less appetizing – their own poop. Thirteen percent of respondents even said they’ve caught their pet trying to snack on some rocks.

Respondents also shared the strangest habits their pets have. Perplexing answers included barking at toy dogs, climbing into the shower with their owner, and chewing on their owner’s beard. One respondent even said their dog sneaks dry food into their husband’s suitcase whenever they pack for a trip. Pet parents will also put up with about four stinky farts a week and get a whiff of some gnarly pet breath three times a week.

“Over half (56%) of respondents said that stinky breath for pets is just a part of life and there’s nothing to be done about it – when that’s actually not the case,” says Joe Roetheli, creator of dog flossing treat Yummy Combs, in a statement. “Pets need proper dental hygiene just like us humans do – which is why we commissioned this survey ahead of National Pet Dental Health Month.”

Keeping our furry friends’ teeth healthy

Pets Bad HabitsThe survey finds 57 percent of respondents want to improve their pet’s dental health, but they just don’t know what to do. Only 42 percent of dog owners surveyed (about 1,800 respondents) correctly answered that dogs should get their teeth professionally cleaned by a veterinarian once a year.

However, nearly seven in 10 (68%) of these owners also shared that they’re concerned about putting their fur baby under anesthesia for these cleanings.

“There can be a lot of stress involved with taking your dog into the vet for a teeth cleaning, but it’s something that’s quite necessary for their well-being including deterring gingivitis and periodontal disease,” Roetheli adds.

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