Who's the boss? Most say their dogs call the shots
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 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."
Survey methodology:
Talker Research surveyed 2,000 dog owners; the survey was commissioned by Darwin's pet food and administered and conducted online by Talker Research between March 20 – March 26, 2025.
We are sourcing from a non-probability frame and the two main sources we use are:
Traditional online access panels - where respondents opt-in to take part in online market research for an incentiveProgrammatic - where respondents are online and are given the option to take part in a survey to receive a virtual incentive usually related to the online activity they are engaging in
Those who did not fit the specified sample were terminated from the survey. As the survey is fielded, dynamic online sampling is used, adjusting targeting to achieve the quotas specified as part of the sampling plan.
Regardless of which sources a respondent came from, they were directed to an Online Survey, where the survey was conducted in English; a link to the questionnaire can be shared upon request. Respondents were awarded points for completing the survey. These points have a small cash-equivalent monetary value.
Cells are only reported on for analysis if they have a minimum of 80 respondents, and statistical significance is calculated at the 95% level. Data is not weighted, but quotas and other parameters are put in place to reach the desired sample.
Interviews are excluded from the final analysis if they failed quality-checking measures. This includes:
Speeders: Respondents who complete the survey in a time that is quicker than one-third of the median length of interview are disqualified as speedersOpen ends: All verbatim responses (full open-ended questions as well as other please specify options) are checked for inappropriate or irrelevant textBots: Captcha is enabled on surveys, which allows the research team to identify and disqualify botsDuplicates: Survey software has "deduping" based on digital fingerprinting, which ensures nobody is allowed to take the survey more than once
It is worth noting that this survey was only available to individuals with internet access, and the results may not be generalizable to those without internet access.
The post Who's the boss? Most say their dogs call the shots appeared first on Talker.
Copyright Talker News. All Rights Reserved.
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Cells are only reported on for analysis if they have a minimum of 80 respondents, and statistical significance is calculated at the 95% level. Data is not weighted, but quotas and other parameters are put in place to reach the desired sample. Interviews are excluded from the final analysis if they failed quality-checking measures. This includes: Speeders: Respondents who complete the survey in a time that is quicker than one-third of the median length of interview are disqualified as speedersOpen ends: All verbatim responses (full open-ended questions as well as other please specify options) are checked for inappropriate or irrelevant textBots: Captcha is enabled on surveys, which allows the research team to identify and disqualify botsDuplicates: Survey software has "deduping" based on digital fingerprinting, which ensures nobody is allowed to take the survey more than once It is worth noting that this survey was only available to individuals with internet access, and the results may not be generalizable to those without internet access. The post How do people practice 'green living' in summer? appeared first on Talker. Copyright Talker News. All Rights Reserved.
