An increasing number of Americans are not having children. The US fertility rate reached a record low 1.64 in 2020, and 47% of non-parents say it’s unlikely they’ll have children someday. Many people struggle with infertility. Others have concerns about the cost of raising a family, want to focus on their career, or just don’t want to have children. Pets can be a wonderful alternative for individuals and couples that don’t have kids – or don’t have them yet.
Dogs and cats truly are family members. They offer unconditional love and companionship, but require less commitment and responsibility compared to human children. Whether you plan to have kids in the future or not, being a pet parent is a rewarding, fun, and full experience.
Benefits of Adopting Pets
Financial Freedom
According to a recent survey, nearly a quarter of Gen Z and Millennial Americans are planning not to have children due to financial strain. Dogs and cats are a more affordable option for people looking to satisfy their desire for nurturing and companionship without taking on the long-term financial burden of raising a family.
While pets are still expensive, especially when it comes to certain breeds and healthcare costs, fur babies are almost always a cheaper alternative to children.
Lifestyle Flexibility
Pets offer a significantly higher level of flexibility and freedom in lifestyle. Unlike small children, pets can be left at home alone without the need for a babysitter or daycare service. While dogs, cats, and other pets require care and attention, they’re far more independent than human children.
Travel is also much easier to manage with dogs or cats than with children because boarding services and pet sitters are more affordable than long-term childcare and you don’t have to rely on neighbors or loved ones to take on 24/7 care.
Mental Health
Research consistently shows that welcoming a furry family member into your home improves your mood, mental health, and overall wellbeing. They bring a sense of purpose into our lives, reduce our stress levels, offer social connection, make us feel loved, and remind us to stop and enjoy the little moments in life.
Dogs also encourage us to get out of the house, be more active, and spend more time in nature, which can also help boost mental and physical health.
Career Focus
About 44% of people who don’t plan to have children say it’s because they want to focus on other things in life. Of course, career-minded people often still choose to have children, but it can make prioritizing work more difficult. Adopting a pet is a great way to build a family while keeping the focus on your career.
Cats are especially great companions for professionals who work full-time in an office, because they tend to be more independent than dogs and require less active maintenance.
Companionship and Love
Perhaps the most obvious benefit of being a pet parent is the endless love and companionship. Dogs and cats develop genuine and unbreakable bonds with their humans, providing you with love, affection, and companionship without the complex social dynamics that come with other people.
There’s nothing quite like coming home after a long and difficult day and seeing your fur baby waiting for you at the door. Sometimes, simply cozying up with your pet on the couch can offer much-needed comfort and encouragement.
Safety and Security
One practical benefit of having a pet is security, especially for women living alone. Dogs in particular can simultaneously act as a home safety system and a beloved member of the family. Guard dogs, especially when well-trained, can alert you in the event of an emergency, deter break-ins, and keep you safe during walks and runs.
While dogs of any breed can provide additional security, certain breeds are particularly effective as guard dogs, due to their natural loyalty and protective instincts. Good guard dog breeds include:
- German shepherds
- Rottwilers
- Belgian malinois
- Bullmastiffs
- Cane corsos
- Doberman pinschers
The Science Behind Human-Pet Relationships
Evolutionary Factors
Both dogs and cats were domesticated by early humans many thousands of years ago, leading to the unique and unshakable bond we enjoy today. This evolutionary relationship is unlike any other in the animal kingdom.
Over many generations, our beloved pets have evolved specifically to maintain a mutually beneficial relationship with humans. In other words, our dogs and cats have evolved to need us for food, shelter, and love. In turn, we enjoy the protection and companionship our animals offer us.
Chemical Responses
Scientific studies show that dogs and their owners release oxytocin (also known as the “love hormone”) when spending time together. This is the same chemical reaction that occurs between mothers and their babies.
Cats are often described as standoffish or aloof, sometimes causing their owners to wonder just how much their cat loves them. But one study found that oxytocin also increases by an average of 12% in cats when they interact with their humans, showing that cats do, in fact, love their families. However, this increase is still significantly lower than the 52.7% increase seen in dogs.
Physical and Emotional Support
Fur babies are good for humans’ emotional, psychological, and physical wellbeing. People of all ages and backgrounds experience less stress and better moods when they have dogs or cats in their homes. But pets are especially helpful for people who cope with chronic pain, loneliness, or trauma.
War veterans, victims of abuse, elderly people, and those living with disabilities are among the people who benefit the most from adopting a dog or cat. In fact, service dogs can help disabled people with daily activities, offer companionship to those who are grieving, and even help alleviate the symptoms of PTSD.
Are Fur Babies Really An Alternative to Kids?
Almost all pet owners in the US (97%) say their pets are part of the family. But not everyone agrees that they’re substitutes for children.
Many pet parents insist that they love their pet just as much as they would a human child. Others say that caring for a dog or cat is not a replacement for parenting a child because it involves less commitment and isn’t as transformative in people’s lives.
Fortunately, other people’s opinions about your family and your relationship with your pets aren't important. What matters is that you feel happy with your life and family, whether they walk on two legs or four. If you love your pets and it brings you joy to be their mom or dad, that’s all you truly need.