Having a dog can be incredibly rewarding, but it can also tend to take over your life, a new survey suggests. It finds that the average dog parent makes 27 decisions every month based on their pet. And while that’s true of all dog owners, even more DINKWADS - or people with double income, no kids and a dog - tend to let their dog call the shots.
According to the poll of 2-thousand dog owners:
- The average one cancels social plans four times a month because their dog can’t go and cuts plans short another six times.
- Some change their work routine or even their work location in order to accommodate their dog.
- Nearly three-quarters (71%) of DINKWADS admit their life revolves around their pet, compared to 61% of other dog owners.
- Overall, 54% of dog owners consider their dogs to be their “children,” but that climbs to 63% for DINKWADS.
- More than half of DINKWADS (57%) have stayed home when their dog looked lonely or sad, or felt guilty for not spending enough time with their pup (52%).
- Another 58% decided to skip a social engagement just because their dog looked “too cute and comfy” and they wanted to join them.
- DINKWADS spend an average of $172.60 more a year on their pet than other dog owners, including $194 on vet bills, $183 on food and essentials and $128 for treats, toys and other fun stuff for their dog.
- Dog owners who don’t have kids are also more likely to splurge for high-end pet food, have multiple beds in different rooms for their dogs, and have personalized gear for them like engraved tags and monogrammed blankets.
- DINKWADS also say they’re more likely to spoil their dog (41%) than themselves (14%).
Source: Talker