1851

The frustration surrounding childless people who equate pet ownership with parenthood isn’t invisible. Even though the idea that someone could “totally understand what you’re going through” as a parent because they have a dog may not be spot on, the phrase does provide a peek into an important trend in the pet care space.A dog isn’t a child, but some pet owners surely act like it. A recent&nbsp;<a href="https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/430143?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=i-totally-get-it-i-have-a-dog-how-younger-generations-are-prioritizing-pets-over-parenthood-and-what-this-means-for-franchising-2719273" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Entrepreneur</a> article reports that the pet industry is currently worth over $100 billion and still growing, and dog owners spend over $1,500 annually on their pets…“Two-thirds of which go to retailers and supply stores,” the article said.Millennials make up 35% of pet owners in the U.S., and that percentage will likely grow as more millennials and Gen Z view pets as a substitute or complete replacement for having children.According to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/canine-corner/202108/millennial-women-are-dogs-and-cats-stand-in-kids?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=i-totally-get-it-i-have-a-dog-how-younger-generations-are-prioritizing-pets-over-parenthood-and-what-this-means-for-franchising-2719273" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Psychology Today</a>, “72% of childless millennial women explicitly state that they prefer the company of their pet over the company of children,” and “69% of millennial women who have chosen not to become a mother say that having a pet is easier than having a child.”In millennials across the board,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wfla.com/news/animals/dog-or-baby-22-of-millennials-gen-z-prefer-pets-over-kids/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=i-totally-get-it-i-have-a-dog-how-younger-generations-are-prioritizing-pets-over-parenthood-and-what-this-means-for-franchising-2719273#:~:text=Those%20numbers%20are%20higher%20for,their%20babies%2C%20furry%20or%20otherwise." target="_blank" rel="nofollow">22%</a> of those who have pets see their furry friends as a delay, or even complete replacement, to having children. While the choice is often attributed to the lower costs of pets relative to children, the pets are still part of the family.<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebarkable?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=i-totally-get-it-i-have-a-dog-how-younger-generations-are-prioritizing-pets-over-parenthood-and-what-this-means-for-franchising-2719273" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Ali Smith</a>, CEO of&nbsp;<a href="https://rebarkable.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=i-totally-get-it-i-have-a-dog-how-younger-generations-are-prioritizing-pets-over-parenthood-and-what-this-means-for-franchising-2719273" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Rebarkable</a>, an affordable puppy training concept, explained how this spike in demand for pets is impacting her business. “We’re getting more career-minded people, and people in their early 20s, too, who get dogs for companionship that sometimes the modern world doesn’t offer or make accessible.”As more people add a pet to their family, Smith says dogs are becoming more prevalent in weddings, and there are more children likely to grow up with a pet in the house. Because of this, the demand for training, pet care and pet products is also spiking.The amount that people spend on their pets grew by&nbsp;<a href="https://fortunly.com/statistics/pet-spending-statistics/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=i-totally-get-it-i-have-a-dog-how-younger-generations-are-prioritizing-pets-over-parenthood-and-what-this-means-for-franchising-2719273#gref" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">over $13 billion</a> between 2018 and 2020, and, in a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.gobankingrates.com/saving-money/pets/americans-spend-more-on-pets-than-themselves-each-year/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=i-totally-get-it-i-have-a-dog-how-younger-generations-are-prioritizing-pets-over-parenthood-and-what-this-means-for-franchising-2719273" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">survey of 2,000 dog and cat owners</a>, over half of respondents said they spend more on their pets than they do on themselves annually.As more families look to pets as their “babies” and treat them as such, franchising within the pet care space is only becoming a more attractive opportunity. There are plenty of ways to franchise within the pet care space, including boarding, mobile grooming, wellness clinic, training, waste removal, boutique and full-service retail concepts.

“I Totally Get It, I Have a Dog”: How Younger Generations Are Prioritizing Pets Over Parenthood, and What This Means for Franchising

1851 Franchise

Studies have shown that millennials and Gen Z are less interested in parenthood and investing in their furry friends instead. How can franchisees in the pet care space leverage this shift in demand?

i-totally-get-it-i-have-a-dog-how-younger-generations-are-prioritizing-pets-over-parenthood-and-what-this-means-for-franchising

One Hour Heating and Air Conditioning

Why One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning Sees People as the Power Behind Franchise Growth

one-hour-heating-air-conditioning-franchise-growth

Lawn Doctor

Design with photo of John Perry and Lawn Doctor logo

How a 20-Year Industry Veteran Tripled His Sales With a Lawn Doctor Franchise

lawn-doctor-franchise-success-story-john-perry

Fitness Premier

The Secret to Fitness Franchise Success? It's Not Just the Workouts

fitness-premier-franchise-marketing-support

Fresh Coat

Photo of Fresh Coat vehicle with ladders on top

The Rise of Home Improvement Franchises: Why Now Is the Time to Invest

why-invest-home-improvement-franchise-fresh-coat

HomeTeam Inspection Service

Photo of HomeTeam inspector in red polo and khaki pants, walking by branded vehicle

Real Estate Today: Behind the Drywall: The Truth About Home Inspections

purpose-of-home-inspection

Buying a Franchise Masterclass

 Franchise Opportunities

Get Support Buying a Franchise

How to Buy a Franchise White Paper

How to Buy a Franchise

How to Sell Franchises

How to Grow a Franchise

Find a Franchise Supplier

1851 Franchise Opportunities

Franchisor News

Franchisor Power Rankings

FranCamp Mastermind Summit

Franchise Development Website Builder

Franchise Resources

What ALEC-Laffer's Report Means for Franchising

Website Awards

Power Rankings

About 1851

Advertise on 1851

Contact 1851 Editorial

Terms of Use

1851 Login

GROWTH CLUB LOGIN

facebook

instagram

twitter

linkedin

youtube

Design with American and Federal Reserve flags against light blue background

Federal Reserve Expected To Cut Rates by Quarter Point, a Move That Could Boost Franchise Growth

fed-rate-cut-boosts-franchise-growth

Potbelly to be Acquired by RaceTrac in $566 Million Deal 

racetrac-acquires-potbelly-in-566-million-deal

Health Care Hiring Slowdown Highlights In-Home Care Franchise Opportunities - 1851 Franchise Agg

Health Care Hiring Slowdown Highlights In-Home Care Franchise Opportunities 

health-care-hiring-slowdown-in-home-care-franchise-opportunities

Caribou Coffee Names Scott Kennedy CEO, Eyes Continued Growth

caribou-coffee-names-scott-kennedy-ceo-eyes-continued-growth

McDonald’s Launches New Extra Value Meals as Consumer Demand for Value Continues to Climb

mcdonalds-launches-extra-value-meals

Technomic Releases Annual Ranking of the Top 15 Fast-Food Chains in the U.S.

technomic-releases-annual-ranking-of-the-top-15-fast-food-chains-in-the-us

Friendly’s Parent Company Acquired by Multi-Unit Franchisee as More Owners Take the Lead in Brand Acquisitions 

friendlys-parent-company-acquired-by-multi-unit-franchisee-as-more-owners-take-the-lead-in-brand-acquisitions

Hely and Hiral Patel Bring Their Longtime Dream to Life With The Brass Tap

brass-tap-franchise-pasadena-maryland-hely-hiral-patel

1851 Keyword - The Secret To Succeeding With a Part-Time Franchise Is Picking the Right Model

The Secret To Succeeding With a Part-Time Franchise Is Picking the Right Model

part-time-franchises-picking-the-right-model

Franchisee spotlight graphic with photo of Ricki Oberoi and Layne's Chicken Fingers logo

Multi-Unit Wendy’s Operator Signs 12-Unit Deal With Layne’s Chicken Fingers

ricki-oberoi-laynes-chicken-fingers-growth

DevHub - Meet the Supplier - 1851 Franchise

DevHub: Scalable Digital Marketing for Franchises and Multi-Location Brands

devhub-meet-the-supplier

1851 Franchise Deep Dive graphic with Sparkle Squad logo

Sparkle Squad Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data for 2025

franchise-deep-dive-sparkle-squad-franchise-costs-fees-profit-and-data

Design with school-aged child standing on pencil with text "Education Franchises" and "<$500K"

Top Education Franchises Under $500K To Explore in 2025

top-education-franchises-under-500k

“I Totally Get It, I Have a Dog”: How Younger Generations Are Prioritizing Pets Over Parenthood, and What This Means for Franchising

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS