Dogs are man’s best friend—and millennials are prepared to ditch their romantic partners for them.

In a survey of 1,000 U.S. adults conducted by Talker Research on behalf of Newsweek, 61 percent of millennial respondents—born between 1981 and 1996—reported that they would end a relationship with someone who didn’t get along with their pet.

By comparison, just 39 percent of Generation Z respondents said they would take these measures against a partner who clashed with their pet.

The data was revealed within a larger poll about pets’ influence on the lives of people from different generations—and it wasn’t the only qualifier in which millennials made it clear they would jump through hoops for their pets.

When it came to prioritizing a pet’s needs over their own in an emergency situation, 63 percent said they would put their pet first. The figure increased even more as the respondents got older, with 70 percent of Generation X respondents saying they would prioritize their pet in an emergency, and 71 percent of baby boomers reporting the same.

According to Laura Merritt, a licensed independent clinical social worker and therapist, the survey results make sense when you consider what pets can do for the human nervous system. Merritt highlighted the crucial role pets play in our emotional well-being.

“Co-regulation is key to why our pets mean so much to us,” Merritt told Newsweek. “It’s the natural way our nervous systems sync up with another to help us feel safe and calm. We do this with loved ones—and yes, with our pets!

“When we’re stressed, our pets often sense it and respond with comfort, whether it’s a dog curling up next to us or a cat purring on our lap, our heart rate will slow down to match theirs. That’s co-regulation in action, the animal is helping us settle down.”

This co-regulation matters especially for millennials, whom Merritt said suffer from particular manifestations of career stress and social pressures.

“For millennials…pets become irreplaceable sources of comfort,” she said. “If a partner can’t connect with this furry co-regulator, it feels like a they don’t really see us and the partner is threatening that important bond. It’s about more than just liking the pet; it’s about honoring the role they play in our mental well-being and self-care.”

Merritt said that, ultimately, she doesn’t doubt for a minute that many people would consider ending a relationship with a person who doesn’t respect their best furry friend.

The random double-opt-in survey of 1,000 general population Americans was commissioned by Newsweek between September 11 and 13. It was conducted by market research company Talker Research, whose team members are members of the Market Research Society and the European Society for Opinion and Marketing Research.