A growing number of young Americans are putting travel plans on hold, and it’s not because of the cost. It’s because they don’t want to leave their pets behind.
A new national survey commissioned by TrustedHousesitters found that 56 percent of pet owners say they travel less since getting a pet. For many, the emotional bond with their animals outweighs the appeal of a vacation.
This trend signals a cultural shift in how younger generations approach leisure time, companionship, and responsibility. Rather than viewing pets as an accessory to everyday life, many now see them as family members whose emotional needs take precedence over personal indulgence.
According to Forbes, 66 percent of U.S. households — around 86.9 million homes — own a pet.
Among those surveyed, 61 percent said they worry more about their pet’s wellbeing than their own enjoyment while on vacation. Over half said their travel decisions are directly impacted by feelings of guilt or anxiety about leaving their pet at home.
This deep sense of attachment suggests that traditional travel habits are evolving. For many young adults, planning a trip is no longer just about destination and budget, it’s also about how to make sure their pet is happy and cared for while they’re away.
More than half of respondents said they now plan their trips around pet-friendly accommodations. This reflects a rising demand for hotels, rentals, and attractions that accommodate furry companions.
About 22 percent choose road trips over flights so their animals can come along. Another 16 percent are spending more on travel specifically so they don’t have to leave their pets behind.
Some are even choosing pets over people. Eighteen percent of respondents said they would rather leave a partner behind to care for the pet while they vacation solo. One in five said they would rather ghost someone after a first date than be separated from their pet for a few days.
In more surprising results, 12 percent said they feel more guilty leaving their pet with a sitter than their child. Nine percent said they’d feel worse about leaving a pet than forgetting their kid’s birthday altogether.
These responses may raise eyebrows, but they also speak to the growing perception of pets as dependents whose emotional well-being is on par with that of human family members.
Technology hasn’t eased the separation anxiety. One-third of pet owners said they spend a significant portion of their vacation checking in via text or video call with whoever is watching their animal.
According to the study, 54 percent of pet owners worry their pets think they’ve been abandoned. That worry is so strong that 9 percent admitted to cutting their trips short just to get back home to their animals.
Over half of respondents said seeing their pet’s sad face while packing was enough to make them second-guess leaving. Nearly half said they don’t trust anyone else to properly care for their pet. Many said they would rather cancel plans with a friend or skip a family birthday than leave their animal behind.
While inflation and airfare still affect many travel plans, this research highlights a different kind of cost. For many young Americans, a vacation just isn’t worth it if it means leaving their best friend behind.
Methodology
The survey, conducted by Opinion Matters on behalf of TrustedHousesitters, polled 5,000 U.S. pet owners between March 25 and April 4, 2025.
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