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

Onigilly Japanese Kitchen

Unlocking the Potential: How Much Can You Earn as an Onigilly Franchisee?

unlocking-the-potential-how-much-can-you-earn-as-an-onigilly-franchisee

Filta Environmental Kitchen Solutions

DeWitts Ignite New Chapter for Filta Environmental Kitchen Solutions in Reno 

Grease, Grit, and Growth: DeWitts Ignite New Chapter for Filta Environmental Kitchen Solutions in Reno, Nevada

grease-grit-and-growth-dewitts-ignite-new-chapter-for-filta-environmental-kitchen-solutions-in-reno-nevada

Layne's Chicken Fingers

Layne's Chicken Fingers-50 Unit-Wendy's-Franchisee-June-2025

Why This 50 Unit Wendy’s Franchisee Is Betting on Layne’s for His Next Big Move

wendys-franchisee-expands-with-laynes-chicken-fingers-texas

CapitalSpring

CapitalSpring’s Jim Balis Talks Growth, ROI and the Future of Fast Casual on “Rock My Restaurant”

capitalsprings-jim-balis-talks-growth-roi-and-the-future-of-fast-casual-on-rock-my-restaurant

Children's Lighthouse

Children’s Lighthouse Ramps Up Growth in First Half of 2025 With Strategic Expansions, Franchise Signings, and New Headquarters

childrens-lighthouse-ramps-up-growth-in-first-half-of-2025-with-strategic-expansions-franchise-signings-and-new-headquarters

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

What June’s Jobs Report Means for the Franchise Industry

what-junes-jobs-report-means-for-the-franchise-industry

Drone Delivery Takes Flight in QSR: The Future of Franchise Operations?

drone-delivery-takes-flight-in-qsr-the-future-of-franchise-operations

Chick-fil-A Tops Customer Satisfaction Rankings for 11th Year as Challenger Brands Gain Ground

chick-fil-a-tops-customer-satisfaction-rankings-for-11th-year-as-challenger-brands-gain-ground

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

Rising Jobless Claims Could Signal Challenges — and Opportunities — for Franchising

rising-jobless-claims-affect-franchising

Hooters Leans Into Franchising With Closure of 30 Company-Owned Stores - Agg - 1851 Franchise

Hooters Leans Into Franchising With Closure of 30 Company-Owned Stores

hooters-franchise-model-company-owned-closures

The Ultimate Guide to Selling Franchises: How To Create a Strong Incentive

how-to-build-strong-incentives-to-attract-prospective-franchisees

How Vishal Juneja Turned a Family Tradition Into a Paris Baguette Franchise

How Vishal Juneja Turned a Family Tradition Into a Paris Baguette Franchise Built on Heart and Community

paris-baguette-franchise-rockaway-new-jersey-vishal-junjea

Top 25 Franchise Marketing Leaders: Kelsey McManemin — Vice President of Marketing, HTeaO

top-25-franchise-marketing-leaders-kelsey-mcmanemin-vice-president-of-marketing-hteao

How This Franchise Consultant Turned a Love for Dogs Into a Business with Dog Training Elite

How This Franchise Consultant Turned a Lifelong Love for Dogs Into a Growing Business with Dog Training Elite

how-this-franchise-consultant-turned-a-lifelong-love-for-dogs-into-a-growing-business-with-dog-training-elite

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

“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