Who's the boss? Most say their dogs call the shots

From vacation locations to their social calendars and even their working schedule, the average dog owner makes 27 decisions a month based on their pet.

That’s according to a new survey of 2,000 dog owners that examined all the ways our dogs influence our day-to-day lives.

The average dog parent has to call off social plans four times per month (4.4) because their dog can’t go and said they typically cut plans short six times (5.8) in an average month. They also admitted changing their work routine, and in some cases, even their work location (3.3) to accommodate their fur baby.

Researchers from Talker Research, which conducted the survey on behalf of Darwin’s (https://www.darwinspet.com) pet food, segmented the data to see how DINKWADs — double income, no kids with a dog — measure up in comparison to other dog owners.

Seventy-one percent of DINKWAD respondents said their life revolves around their pet, versus 61% of other dog owners.

Sixty-three percent of DINKWADs consider their dogs to be “children” compared to 54% of other dog owners.

In fact, 57% of DINKWADs surveyed admitted to staying home when their dog looked lonely/sad or felt guilty if they hadn’t spent enough quality time with their dog (52%).

An additional 58% said they decided to skip a function or social engagement altogether because their dog just looked “too cute and comfy so I wanted to join them” (56%).

“Our dogs are more than just pets; they shape every aspect of our lives,” said Gary Tashjian, founder and CEO of Darwin’s pet food. “It’s clear that dog owners are deeply invested in the well-being of their furry companions. In addition, our study found that in households with dual incomes, pet parents are not only more likely to adjust their schedules for their pets, but they also spend significantly more to make sure they live happy, healthy lives.”

The survey found that DINKWADs spend an average of $172.60 more per year than their fellow dog owners, budgeting $194.60 for vet bills, $183.80 for food and other essentials and $128.60 for treats, toys and other “fun” things for their dogs.

DINKWAD respondents also spend more time researching their dogs’ food, paying particular attention to the ingredient list (80%) found on pet food packaging and a brand’s overall reputation (66%).

They were also more likely to purchase “extras” for their dogs.

Eighty percent of DINKWADs said they spring for high-quality pet food or treats (80%). They also were more likely to have multiple beds in different rooms for their dogs (47%), personalized accessories like engraved tags and monogrammed blankets (41%) and pet furniture (39%).

When asked who they would splurge on, more DINKWADs than other dog owners said they were more likely to spoil their dog (41%) than themselves (14%).

This is especially true when it comes to special occasions.

DINKWADs were more likely to celebrate their dogs’ birthdays compared to other dog owners by preparing their favorite meal (44%) and taking them on a special outing like the beach or for a hike (31%).

“The results of the survey highlight just how invested this group of pet parents are,” added Tashjian. “Not only do they spend significantly more annually on their dogs, but they also go above and beyond by researching pet foods and choosing high-quality ingredients. Their pets aren’t just animal companions — they’re family, and they’re willing to celebrate and spoil them accordingly.”