Revealed: US pet owners prioritize spending time with pets over social plans

Talker Research surveyed 2,000 US pet parents in August and found that nearly half (48%) have canceled plans with friends or family to stay home with their pets, doing so an average of 5 times in their pets’ lifetimes.

As many as 3 out of 10 (30%) admit they have called out from work to stay home with their pets at least 4 times since adopting them.

Nearly all pet owners (97%) agreed they consider their pets family, and 99% highlighted the importance of showing them love and appreciation daily.

On average, pet parents chat with their pets 11 times a day, cuddle 10 times, and engage in scratches or massages 10 times per day.

The survey also found that 39% of American pet owners worry about their furry friends’ nutrition at least once a day, with 22% admitting they think about it multiple times daily. Nutrition was identified as the most important factor in pet well-being by 40% of respondents.

The fieldwork was conducted during the last week of August on behalf of the American pet food company Nutrish. The research surveyed 355 pet parents from the Northeast, 604 from the Southeast, 302 from the Southwest, 479 from the Midwest, and 260 pet parents from the West.

Industry players are adapting

Recognizing this trend, the hospitality and travel industries are rapidly adapting to cater to pet owners who wish to spend more time with their companions while on vacation.

K9 JETS, a pay-per-seat pet charter service, has introduced two new travel routes from Dubai to Geneva and Milan. These flights are scheduled to start in March and June 2025.

Down Under, Virgin Australia is expected to launch a new service allowing small cats and dogs that are placed in carriers that fit under seats on domestic flights.

Additionally, Barcelona’s Vueling airline now serves pet treats onboard to make travel more comfortable for its clients’ furry friends.

Luxury services

The demand for pet luxury is also rising. Australian Elanor Hotel Group recently launched a pet-friendly luxury stay at its Parklands Resort in Mudgee near Sydney.

Similarly, the American Four Seasons hotel in St. Louis, Missouri, has added pet food to its room service food menu.

Further demonstrating this trend, the American pet hotel chain K9 Resorts has seen rapid growth and expansion this year.

Mars also recently partnered with travel research platform Tripadvisor to offer tailored advice for traveling with pets.