Report by Kinship Reveals Modern Pet Parents’ Concerns and Expectations

Kinship Partners, a data-driven and pet-focused collective, has announced the results of the first-ever Modern Pet Parent Report today, reflecting the continued connection between humans and pets especially against the backdrop of the pandemic. As lockdowns forced pet parents to stay home and inspired others to adopt their first pet, the magnitude of comfort and joy pets brought was felt across the country. And pet parents want to return that love and care. In fact, pet parents feel a sense of stress and guilt, just like human parents. More than half, 62 percent, of pet parents say their top priority is their pets’ happiness, and 80 percent say their pet(s) deserve more of their time this year. Nearly three-quarters, 71 percent, of pet parents say they could not have survived 2020 without their pet(s).

To further understand everything we can about pet parents, especially all the new ones, and the best ways to support them, Kinship surveyed more than 1,000 pet parents living in the United States. The results of the survey are below and infographics can be found here.

Impact of the Pandemic

As the Covid-19 pandemic brought on tumultuous times, longtime and new pet parents found solace in their four-legged family members.

• Benefits of Pets: 84 percent pet parents say Covid-19 has made them realize how much they benefit from having their pet around. Additionally, 93 percent pet parents say 2020 was tough, but their pet brought them comfort, and 81 percent agree that if it weren’t for their pet, 2020 would have taken a greater emotional toll on them.
• Enhanced Connections at Home: 90 percent of pet parents have built a stronger bond with their pet through 2020, and 86 percent of pet parents feel closer with their pet(s) than ever before. Furthermore, 91 percent of pet parents think that their pet has liked having them home more in 2020.
• Mood Boosters: Even beyond the pandemic, many pet parents found emotional support in their pets. 94 percent agree that when they’ve had a bad day, their pet is there for them, and 89 percent agree that when they are anxious, their pet calms them down.

Concerns of Pet Parents

The tremendous amount of love humans have for their pets can lead to worries about their pet parenting skills, as they are striving to provide the utmost care for their furry companions.

• Stress About Skills: 52 percent say the thought of being a bad pet parent stresses them out. In addition, after becoming a pet parent, a third (31 percent) are still concerned about being a good pet parent, and 30 percent are still concerned about being able to take care of their pet the way they deserve.
• Wellbeing Woes: The thing that stresses pet parents out the most is their pet getting sick (76 percent), their dog/cat having a chronic/long-term illness (73 percent) and potential unknown health issues (73 percent). In addition, 77 percent of pet parents are concerned about their pet’s future health.
• Splurging on Care: While costs are a concern for many pet parents, they are still willing to splurge on food/treats (85 percent), toys (78 percent) and even clothing (48 percent) for their pet(s). In addition, when it comes to choosing products for their pet(s), they would choose their pet’s health/wellness (86 percent) more than cost (14 percent).
• Pets > Romantic Partners: 44 percent of pet parents who are married or in a relationship would spend more money on their pet than on gifts for their spouse or significant other.
• Defining Success: To pet parents, success means making sure their pet is as healthy as possible (78 percent), followed by making sure their pet is as happy as possible (70 percent).

“At Kinship, we believe that a world that cares is a better world for all. That’s why we are obsessed with making pet care as exciting and effortless as possible for the new generation of pet parents,” says Leonid Sudakov, President of Kinship. “To support today’s pet parents, we must understand their journeys, from what inspires them to their biggest worries, and this report is a milestone in uncovering the most pressing areas of transformation in pet care.”

Priorities

While caring for a pet can be stressful at times, pet parents are rooted in their desire for their four-legged family members to live as happy of a life as possible.

• Happiness First and Foremost: 62 percent of pet parents say their top priority is their pets’ happiness.
• Redeeming 2020: Recognizing that 2020 has been tough, 82 percent of pet parents plan to spoil their pet in 2021 and 80 percent say their pet(s) deserve more of their time.
• A Healthy Life: Health/life expectancy are among the top priorities for 50 percent of pet parents, second only to their pets’ happiness (62 percent). Furthermore, nearly all pet parents (93 percent) want to ensure their pet is healthy now to make sure they have a healthier future.