Historically, people have treated their pets as any other animal, often leaving them outside or not forming a special bond with them. However, recently people have begun treating their pets as part of their family, some owners spoiling them beyond measure.
With lower general fertility rates in the United States, the amount of people having pets has consistently increased. Due to the increased amount of pets within households, people have developed special bonds with their beloved pets.They treat them as a member of their family in more ways than one. Some generations, especially millennials, even treat their pets as “starter children”.
Some pet owners go as far as to dress up their pets in clothes. From dresses, holiday sweaters, halloween costumes, boots and more, owners love to glamorize their furry friends. The increasing trend has led to the pet clothing market booming, with an expected market value of $7.3 billion in 2028.
Some owners purchase strollers to transport their furry friends, strolling their pets to many pet-friendly spots instead of walking them. While this may seem a bit excessive, it can actually be beneficial for older animals that are unable to exercise as much as they used to be.
With the purchases of clothing and other fancy additions to a pet’s life, spending on pets is quite high; Americans spoil their pets immensely, including them during holiday celebrations. According to a study by PetSmart, nearly eighty-three percent of Americans are very likely to buy a Christmas gift for their pet. “We enjoy buying our dogs gifts for any occasion ranging from Christmas to an ordinary day because dogs have such a small lifespan compared to humans, which is why we love to spoil them while we can,” said junior Bella Eubank.
When it comes to normalized pet expenses, grooming costs are yet another expenditure most pet owners face. Some pet owners do not spend much on their own hair care, but spend upwards of about ninety dollars on grooming sessions for a single pet.
Additionally, pet owners build time with pets into their daily routines. While most owners walk their pets and include them in other typical human tasks, some include their pets in their coffee runs too. With sixty-two percent of Americans drinking coffee on a daily basis, most coffee places include pup cups on their menu. Starbucks is known for their pup cups, which include a small free cup of whipped cream for customer’s pets. “We sell a fair amount of pup cups here. Including pets in the Starbucks experience is a wholesome thing to do for them,” said a LeClaire Starbucks employee.
While the average American pet owner tends to spoil their pets, influencers take the spoiling to new heights. Some pet-fluencers take advantage of their platforms and money to plan an extravagant birthday party for their pets. These parties include inviting other pets to the event and special treats.
On the topic of influencer pets, some owners create social media profiles for their pets as well. The owners typically make posts with captions pretending to be the pet posting the content. While these pet influencer pages may seem silly, some owners of popular pet influencers profit substantially from the profiles.
On the local side of pet care, some owners send their pets to luxury resorts while they are gone. K9 Luxury Resorts is a luxurious boarding place for dogs. The upgrades available to purchase are fancy. From special rooms with tvs that play National Geographic, dog ice cream treats, and upgrading water to Evian water, they truly spoil the pups.
Overall, Americans spoil their pets indefinitely. The relationships with people and their pets have evolved immensely over time. From the gifts, treats, grooming and more, they are truly cared for. While some may find it excessive, it is simply a way to show love for one’s pet.
