Across the United States, a new trend is emerging: Gen Z and millennials are increasingly choosing pets instead of starting traditional families. Whether it’s getting a dog or adopting a cat, today's younger generation seems to preferraising a pet over raising children. From shifting societal values to financial realities, multiple factors explain why pets over children has become a lifestyle choice for so many.

In this article, we’ll explore why Gen Z prefer pets, how this compares to millennials and Gen Z patterns, and what studies show about the emotional and economic shifts driving this powerful movement.

The Rise of Pet Parenthood Among Gen Z and Millennials

The bond between pet owners and their animals has always been strong, but today it represents something more profound. Many Gen Z and millennial adults are raising pets instead of raising children, with pets instead of kids becoming a defining generational choice.

Key reasons behind the trend:

• Financial pressure and stagnant wages
• Lifestyle flexibility and travel goals (vacation freedom)
• Emotional needs for companionship and affection
• High costs associated with raising a child
• Greater pet-friendly housing options compared to child-friendly ones

According to a recent survey by the Harris Poll, nearly one-third of millennials and Gen Z adults would rather get a dog than have a baby. The number of people seeking pet ownership has risen steadily while birth rates continue to decline.

Financial Realities: Why Pets Are Easier to Raise

When you consider the enormous cost required to raise a child in the U.S., it’s no surprise many people choose a petinstead. Pet care costs are a fraction of the cost of raising children, even when considering food, grooming, and veterinary care.

Financial comparisons:

• Raising a child to adulthood can cost over $300,000 in the U.S. today.
• Pet care typically costs a few thousand dollars a year, depending on the animal.
• Housing, daycare, education, and medical costs for children are skyrocketing.

Additionally, fewer employers offer robust parental leave, childcare benefits, or financial assistance for families. In a world of financially burdensome realities, it makes sense that many would choose to get a dog instead of starting a family.

Companionship and Emotional Fulfillment: Choosing Pets for Affection

Beyond the money, pets offer something deeply important: unconditional affection and emotional support. Pet owners say that dogs, cats, and even smaller animals offer companionship that helps combat loneliness, especially after the pandemic left many people isolated.

Emotional benefits of pet ownership:

• Affection without the emotional complexities of parenting.
• Companionship that requires attention but allows more freedom.
• Pets are seen as a source of stability during uncertain times.

In fact, for many pet owners, a dog or cat isn't just an animal—they're a family member. This deep bond explains why millennials and Gen Z increasingly prioritize their pet relationships, often referring to themselves as “pet parents.”

Surveys Show: Gen Z Is Choosing Pets Over Kids

Several surveys and studies show a clear pattern: Gen Z is picking pets at unprecedented rates, often instead of having a child. This shift is seen not only in personal choices but also in the booming pet industry and the evolving definition of parenthood among younger adults.

What Recent Surveys Reveal:

• A Harris Poll found that millennials and Gen Z would prioritize owning a pet over starting a family.
• Studies show that many Gen Z respondents would rather adopt a dog than plan for a baby in the next five years.
• In major cities, pet-friendly apartments have increased, reflecting the trend among young renters who prioritize pet ownership over child amenities.

Pet parents are not just owners—they're caregivers, decision-makers, and emotional supporters for their animals.

The fact that so many people decided to get pets during the pandemic only accelerated a movement that was already well underway.

Pets Instead of Children: Lifestyle Appeal for a Younger Generation

Choosing pets over children fits naturally into the flexible, mobile lifestyle many millennials and Gen Z crave. Owning a dog allows for emotional fulfillment without the long-term sacrifices often associated with traditional parenthood.

Why Pets Fit the Lifestyle Better:

• Pets can often raise affection levels without locking people into rigid life paths.
• Pet-friendly housing is easier to find than family-sized homes in many cities.
• Vacations are easier to plan with a dog sitter than with a young child.
• Pet care routines are typically more manageable than the 24/7 demands of raising children.

For many, raising pets instead of kids is not seen as "giving something up" but rather as prioritizing personal freedom, mental health, and financial stability.

The Broader Societal Shift: Parenthood Looks Different Now

This choice isn’t just an individual decision—it reflects a societal shift. Compared to Gen X, today’s younger generationis redefining what it means to build a family.

Factors influencing this change:

• Increased financially burdensome conditions like housing costs and stagnant wages.
• Shifting views on career prioritization and delayed or reimagined parenthood.
• A cultural embrace of companionship through pet ownership as emotionally valid and fulfilling.

The stark contrast between how Gen Z and Gen X view pets and children shows that this is not a fleeting trend—it’s a redefinition of values, priorities, and family structures.

Raising Children vs. Raising a Pet: A Quick Comparison

This table highlights why many today find it easier—and emotionally satisfying—to get a dog or other pet rather than take on the massive commitment required to raise a child.

Final Thoughts: Pets Over Children, and the Changing Shape of Love and Family

Choosing pets instead of children is no longer an anomaly—it’s a defining trend among today’s adults. Millennials and Gen Z are reshaping the meaning of family by embracing their dogs, cats, and other pets as full-fledged family members.

For some, the decision is financial. For others, it’s about freedom, emotional connection, or prioritizing mental health. But across the board, the trend is clear: pets offer the love, affection, and companionship many seek—without the overwhelming costs and life restructuring often associated with raising a child.

As more pet owners embrace this model, society will likely continue evolving its understanding of love, responsibility, and what it means to be a parent—fur or otherwise.