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By Suzanne Blake
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A majority of Americans think pet moms should be celebrated on Mother's Day, according to a new survey from LendingTree.
Mother's Day is a big spending day across America, but six in 10 Americans said pet moms should be included in the celebrations this year.
Why It Matters
The shift toward becoming a "dog mom" or "cat mom" has been notable among millennials and Gen Z, as many delay getting married and starting traditional families.
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Pets are often seen as part of the family, with many pet owners seeing their animals as their "fur baby," and their costs can quickly pile up almost as quickly as actual children.
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What To Know
Roughly 60 percent of Americans said pet moms should be celebrated for Mother's Day, according to the survey.
The LendingTree survey of 2,000 U.S. consumers found people are spending significantly less this year. Those giving Mother's Day gifts will spend 14 percent less this year, with 56 percent of gift givers saying inflation and the current economy impact how much they plan to spend.
Around 71 percent of Americans plan to give a gift to their mother for the holiday, with gifters spending $148 on average.
However, many millennials and Gen Z-ers are delaying starting their own families outright, which could be contributing to the rise in pet ownership.
A recent YPulse report found that 76 percent of millennials prefer to have pets over children. Over half of the millennials surveyed own a dog, while 35 percent owning a cat.
Younger generations may also be willing to spend more on their animal companions as well.
A report from Talker Research on behalf of digital insurance company Lemonade found that Gen Z spent an average of $178 per month on their pets in 2024. That was higher than the average spent by millennials ($146), Gen X ($115) and baby boomers ($90).
Only 38 percent of Gen Z said they would prioritize starting a family over raising a pet, according to the report from the website Best Ontario Casino Sites.
What People Are Saying
Michael Ryan, a finance expert and founder of MichaelRyanMoney.com, previously told Newsweek: "Rampant inflation and the high cost of living are making major life decisions like parenthood seem impossible and financially burdensome."
Family therapist Rachel Goldberg previously told Newsweek: "Many parents on social media show the challenges of raising children, sending the message that parenting isn't all it's cracked up to be," Goldberg said. "All the fun memes and jovial videos make having kids seem less appealing than sitcoms of the '80s and '90s."
David Braunstein, co-founder of Pets52, told Newsweek: "At Pets52 we know first-hand that there are an increasing number of families, especially younger couples, that are postponing or even forgoing having "human" children. These families pour their hearts and souls into their relationships with their pets and why not? We get so much in return! When people say that 60% of pet moms should be celebrated, I think they're just saying everyone deserves to be celebrated for being nurturing and supportive."
What Happens Next
Lower birth rates could cause more millennials and Gen Z to view Mother's Day as a time to celebrate their pet relationships, rather than traditional motherhood.
"Having kids represents a massive financial commitment that many simply don't feel equipped to take on right now," Ryan said. "Pets offer the companionship and responsibility of caring for another life but at a much lower cost."
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