Pet owners admit that when it comes to discipline in the home they're more lenient with their furry friends than their own CHILDREN - as one dog owner reveals she even allows her pooch to eat dinner with them at the table.
Most Brits (87%) admit their pets are spoiled regularly, with many confessing they're more likely to tell off their children (35%) for breaking 'house rules' than their animals (33%).
Hammonds Furniture quizzed 2,000 UK pet owners asking them what behaviour they let them get away with in the home and how much they think they spoil them.
The research revealed that two fifths (41%) let their pet sleep in their bed, with more than 6.4 million cats being allowed to curl up with their owners.
And it doesn't stop there, as more than half (51%) let their pets make themselves cosy on the living room chairs and sofas too.
One in five (20%) also bathe their pet in the family bathroom and 4% even let their pet drink water from the toilet bowl.
Cats are the most spoilt household animals, as they are allowed to do the most 'naughty' things.
More than half (53%) of cat owners let their furry friend sleep in their bed, compared to 37% of dog owners.
Nearly one in five (18%) rabbit and guinea pig owners also admit to letting them snuggle up next to them in bed.
Moving out of the bedroom and into the kitchen, some owners admit to letting their pets have a taste of their meals by allowing them to lick pots, pans and plates clean once finished with them.
One in ten (11%) let their pets lick pots clean after being used for cooking, and even more (15%) will allow their household animals to lick their plate clean when they have finished eating.
Alexa Cobbold, from Otley, West Yorkshire, is proud dog mum to three-year-old Boston Terrier Betty.
The 33-year-old account director who lives with partner Oli confessed that she lets her dog eat at the table at Christmas, and regularly shares her breakfast with the pooch.
Alexa said: "Betty definitely rules our home. She has her own bed in every room but chooses to sleep in ours and comes on every UK holiday with us, we'd never leave her behind.
"I let Betty get away with plenty of things that would drive me mad if my partner did them.
"She's allowed to sleep all the time, she's quite messy and leaves the stupid number of toys she has everywhere.
"She shares my food and snacks. She always has some banana from my porridge in the morning, and if she's lucky she gets a crisp or two at the pub - Wotsits are her favourite.
"Betty probably eats better than I do. I make her scrambled eggs for breakfast quite a lot, sometimes with parmesan on top.
"She gets steak on her birthday and I make her birthday cakes and biscuits from scratch.
"I let her eat at the table at Christmas and on special occasions when we have a family dinner - I like to let her join us even though her eating habits are pretty gross.
"Pets are so rewarding, they're very loyal and are part of the family.
"I've been working from home during the pandemic and she's such good company.
"I spend more time with her than anyone else so of course she can get away with more."
And it's not just Betty living the high life, with more than one in five Brits (22%) confessing that they'll share food with their furry friends when eating a meal or snack.
While 6% admitted that they let their pet eat at the table with them and use the same crockery, according to the study.
For those looking to rid their pet of bad habits around the home, an expert has revealed that consistency is key.
Rachel Rodgers, Clinical Animal Behaviourist said: "Home rules are unique to each family, so if everyone is comfortable with the dog sleeping on the bed or sofa, then there is no reason they can't do this.
"The difficulty arises when it comes to consistency.
"If a family decides their dog is allowed on the furniture, then the dog has to be allowed on the furniture all the time.
"A dog doesn't understand that if it's been on a muddy walk, it should steer clear of the soft furnishings.
"Telling an animal off for something they're usually allowed to do can then cause the relationship with the owner to become fraught.
"In fact, inconsistency can cause anxiety for our pets, however it is certainly possible to change house rules for pets.
"This often occurs when people welcome a baby into the family, or buy new furniture.
"The key thing to remember is that habits take a long time to form, and equally as long to break.
"If your pet has been allowed to do something for years, you can't expect to train them out of this overnight.
"The best option will be to train them to opt for a more suitable behaviour. Give them something else they can do instead that is more rewarding.
"For example if your dog is used to going on the sofa, provide them with a comfortable bed of their own nearby so that they don't miss out on the social side of being with you."
Kirsty Oakes, Head of Product and Marketing at Hammonds Furniture, said: "When it comes to our pets, it's clear that there's not a lot they can't get away with.
"It's great that so many of us treat our pets like family members and give them the love and attention that they deserve but it's important to remember that what you may deem acceptable, another pet owner may not.
"What is most surprising is that so many of us turn a blind eye when it comes to our pets misbehaving, something that we are not prepared to do for other members of our household.
"This appears to be the case even in extreme circumstances such as allowing pets to sleep in our bed or pinch our food.
"If anything, this research has really shown us who rules the roost at home."
'Naughty' pet behaviour % of pet owning Brits who allow it in their homes
Sit on the sofa/living room chairs 51%
Walk on the furniture 41%
Sleep in owner's bed 41%
Beg for food/treats 24%
Share owner's food when having a meal/snack 22%
Sleep in the spare bed 20%
Lick owner's plate when finished eating 15%
