More and more young Americans are putting their travel plans on hold, but that’s not because of costs. That’s because they don’t want to leave their pets behind.
A new national survey commissioned by TrustedhouseSitters found that 56% of pet owners say they have traveled less since they owned pets. For many, their emotional bond with animals outweighs the appeal of a holiday.
This trend illustrates a cultural shift in how younger generations approach leisure, dating and responsibility. Rather than viewing pets as accessories to everyday life, many now see them as families whose emotional needs are prioritized over personal dul.
According to Forbes, 66% of US households (approximately 86.9 million homes) own pets.
Of those surveyed, 61% said they were more concerned about their pet’s well-being than their own enjoyment during the holidays. More than half said their travel decisions are directly influenced by feelings of guilt and anxiety over leaving their pets at home.
This deep attachment suggests that traditional travel habits are evolving. For many young adults, planning a trip is no longer just a destination and budget, but also a way to make sure their pets are happy and cared for while they are away.
Over half of respondents said they were planning a trip around pet-friendly accommodation. This reflects the growing demand for hotels, rentals and attractions that cater to furry companions.
Approximately 22% choose to travel on a road while flying, and animals can come along. Another 16% spend more on the trip, so there’s no need to leave your pet behind.
Some people choose their pets over people. 18% of respondents said they wanted to leave their partner behind to take care of their pets while on vacation. One in five said they wanted to ghost someone after their first date rather than being separated from their pet for a few days.
In a more surprising result, 12% said they felt that they were leaving their pets with their sitters more than their children. 9% say they feel sick about leaving their pets rather than forgetting their child’s birthday completely.
These reactions may raise eyebrows, but they also speak of the growing perception of pets as addictives whose emotional well-being is comparable to human family.
Technology is not alleviating separation anxiety. A third of pet owners said they spend most of their vacation check-in with texts and video calls with people watching their animals.
Research shows that 54% of pet owners are worried that their pets may have been abandoned. That worry is so strong that around 10% have admitted to shortening their trips to return to the animals.
Over half of respondents saw the pet’s sad face during packaging and said it was enough to make a second guess. Almost half said they don’t trust others to take good care of their pets. Many people said they would rather cancel plans with friends or skip family birthdays than leaving the animals behind.
Although inflation and airfares still affect many travel plans, this study highlights different types of costs. For many young Americans, if vacation means leaving their best friends behind, then vacation isn’t worth it.
Methodology
The survey was conducted on behalf of TrustedhouseSitters and voted for 5,000 US pet owners between March 25th and April 4th, 2025.
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