What's your stance on saying "I love you" outside of a relationship?

You can say I love you to many different people and it doesn't mean the same thing...A friend isn't the same as your spouse, a parent or sibling isn't the same as a friend or spouse, your pet isn't the same as any of them. I say it to my parents but I feel like a hipocrite when I do (long story), otherwise I don't say it to anyone unless I really mean it (my wife is the only person I say it to). I say it to my dog and he seems to understand so why not.