Would you go into debt for your pet? Some couples are.
How far would you go to care for your pet?
For some, the cuddles, comfort and joy they bring are worth going into debt. It’s particularly true for “DINK” couples – couples with a dual income and no kids – 94% of whom view their pets as part of the family, a new Insurify survey shows.
Sixty-eight percent of these pet parents say they’ve made financial sacrifices to cover essentials for their furry friends. From taking a second job to stopping savings contributions to skipping medical care for themselves, DINK couples are willing to go a long way for their pets.
Kenzie Mollock and Wiley Garren, two married 29-year-olds living in Texas, consider their 2½-year-old miniature schnauzer mix family. They named her “Hazelnut Frappuccino Whip Cream Paws,” or “Hazel” for short.
Mollock is a teacher and Garren serves in the U.S. Army. They described their salaries as “not huge,” but they always make room in the budget for Hazel.
“When I’m happy, she’s there. When I’m sad, she’s there,” Mollock said. “Even if my husband’s not here because he’s at work and he’s deployed, my dog is there. And she’s happy to see me every time.”
How much do DINK couples spend on pets?
DINK couples surveyed spend an average of $1,906 a year on their pets; a fraction of the $23,000 parents spent raising a child last year, according to a SoFi report.
The most common pet-related monthly costs for these couples are food, treats and toys. Vet care, medication and groomers are other common monthly expenses.
An unexpected vet visit, however, can throw a wrench in pet parents’ budgets. The highest veterinarian bill those surveyed have paid is about $1,500, but 13% said they had spent more than $3,000.
Though that may seem like a lot, DINK pet parents say they would be willing to spend more. Those surveyed said they would spend as much as $5,000 for lifesaving treatment and $2,835 a year to care for a pet’s chronic health condition.
Even that may not be enough. Dr. Amy Fox, a veterinarian at the pet guidance website Kinship, said she has worked in several specialized animal hospitals where bills sometimes exceeded $10,000 after pets were injured in accidents or had severe health conditions.
"This can put pet parents in a difficult position when their pet has an unexpected emergency and is another very important reminder to have pet insurance or set up an emergency savings fund for your pets," Fox told Paste BN.
Whatever the cost, some pet owners seem willing to find a way to pay.
“I don't think there is a cap or a limit because you can just finance and pay it off slowly,” Mollock said.
What luxury pet items are people buying?
It also can be difficult to stick to a budget when your pet is giving you puppy-dog eyes.
Only 11% of those surveyed said they never splurge on their furry friends. About 20% said they rarely buy nonessentials, 43% said they occasionally splurge, and 26% said they regularly spoil their pets.
Some of the most popular luxury items DINK couples buy for their pets include vitamins or supplements, luxury treats, and gourmet or organic fresh food. High-end toys and clothing or accessories are other common splurges.
Mollock and Garren buy Hazel salmon-and-rice-flavored dry food for dogs with sensitive skin and stomachs, tick and flea medication, and special bags she can sit in when they run errands or go hiking. They also buy her enrichment toys.
“We usually get her these puzzle boxes, and they can get a little bit expensive. She’s so smart and inquisitive,” Mollock said. “Then you are just kind of buying the next one and the next one. She’s outsmarted them all.”
What are DINK owners sacrificing for their pets?
Even if DINK couples aren’t splurging on organic food or outfits for their animals, pet-related expenses can put a dent in their budgets.
Though 32% said they had never made financial sacrifices for a pet, 34% said they worked extra hours or took a second job to cover costs, and 33% said they took on credit card or loan debt.
The poll also found 29% stopped contributing to savings, 24% delayed paying other bills, and 15% skipped personal medical care.
“Human relationships with cats and dogs have drastically shifted, with a growing focus on animal welfare over the past several decades,” Julia Taliesin, data journalist at the insurance comparison shopping website Insurify, told Paste BN. “Pet owners care for their pets on a personal level, making it easier for them to excuse splurges for the sake of their pet’s welfare.”
Some sacrifices are hard to measure, like the time spent training a dog to stop begging for food or from chewing through another pair of shoes. And training doesn't always end when puppies or kittens grow up.
As they grow older, their personalities can change and problems can arise. Dr. Valli Parthasarathy, another veterinarian at Kinship, advises owners be prepared for unwanted behaviors to start at any age and work with a vet or experienced trainer when they do.
Do pets replace children for DINK couples?
Though “fur babies” are a welcome addition to the family, 39% of DINK pet owners surveyed said they do plan on having children someday.
But 17% said raising children is too expensive to ever have them and 15% said they never wanted to have kids. Twenty-nine percent said they prefer a lifestyle that allows for more freedom.
Of those surveyed, 22% said they need to improve their financial situation before having children, and 5% cited medical or fertility concerns as the reason they don’t have kids.
For Mollock and Garren, having children isn’t a priority right now.
“We’re still trying to find our way in life,” Garren said. “We need to bring a kid into an environment where we have more things figured out than less.”
In the meantime, Hazel is “something to take care of, similar to a baby,” he said. “We consider her family.”
Reach Rachel Barber at rbarber@usatoday.com and follow her on X @rachelbarber_