Three Things to Know
The role of pets has shifted significantly in recent years, challenging the traditional assumption that they primarily complement children within a family unit. This research investigates pet ownership patterns across various family structures, housing types, and cultural backgrounds.
The study reveals that married or partnered adults, regardless of whether they have no children or have adult children, are just as likely to own pets as families with young children. This suggests that pets may serve as child substitutes in some households, while continuing to function as companions or “complements” in families that include children.
Pet ownership also correlates with housing and location: homeowners are significantly more likely to own dogs, and urban dwellers less so compared to their suburban and rural counterparts. Cultural factors play a crucial role as well; native-born Americans demonstrate higher rates of pet ownership than those born outside the United States. Furthermore, Black and Asian Americans are significantly less likely to own pets.
For Dog Welfare Practitioners
Dog welfare is closely tied to evolving societal trends, and this research highlights their changing role. While dogs have undoubtedly become more central in many households, the growing expectation for them to serve as companions, child-substitutes, or even partner replacements may be setting unrealistic expectations. Dog welfare organizations should proactively share knowledge, emphasizing that ‘fur babies’ possess unique, non-human needs that must be met.
The Full Picture
Demographic changes—such as declining marriage and fertility rates, increasing single-person households, delayed childbearing, and extended time outside of marriage — have created gaps in social support once filled by human family members. Pets increasingly fill these roles, offering companionship, emotional support, and a sense of purpose.
While historically pets were considered child-centered additions to families, today’s pet ownership patterns suggest they are also child or partner substitutes, particularly in childless and single-adult households. Cultural, housing, and economic factors also shape pet ownership: for example, dogs require more space and time than cats, and renters or urban dwellers are less likely to own pets.
However, sociology and demography have largely overlooked pets in definitions of family. This may be due to disciplinary fragmentation and a traditional focus on human relationships. This study, titled “All in the Family: Pets and Family Structure”, aims to fill a gap by quantitatively analyzing the presence of pets across diverse family structures, guided by four key hypotheses:
- Pets function as substitutes and complements to children, especially in low-fertility contexts.
- Pets fill social roles in the absence of a partner, particularly in single-adult households.
- Homeownership and suburban or rural residence increase the likelihood of pet ownership.
- Pet ownership is lower among non-white, Hispanic, and foreign-born families due to cultural differences.
Study Methods
The study uses data from Pew Research’s Social Trends survey, part of the American Trends Panel, which is nationally representative and includes 5,073 U.S. adults aged 18 and older. The survey had an 87% response rate and includes detailed information on pet ownership (dogs or cats), family structure, housing, and demographics.
Study Results
After removing cases with missing data, the final analytical sample included 4,841 respondents. Around 60% of respondents own pets, with more dog owners than cat owners. The findings of this study support all four proposed hypotheses and offer a more nuanced understanding of the role pets play in modern family structures.
1. The Role of Pets
Contrary to earlier research, married or partnered adults without children or with grown children are just as likely to own pets as those with young children. This suggests that pets may serve as substitutes for children in these households, while still functioning as companions or “complements” in families that include children.
Dogs, in particular, are more likely to be found in households with couples, likely because, as with raising children, managing a dog is often easier when there are two adults sharing the responsibility. Interestingly, cats appear to be more common in childless partnered households, possibly due to allergies among children or their friends, or simply because cats require less active care.
Single adults — particularly those without children — are generally less likely to own pets. However, when it comes to cats, single adults with or without children are just as likely as couples with children to be cat owners. This highlights the idea that cats provide companionship without requiring the same level of care. With many people delaying or forgoing marriage and parenthood, pets may fill emotional gaps or offer a “practice run” at caregiving.
Pet ownership remains common across all age groups, though dog ownership declines with age. Cat ownership remains stable.
Looking ahead, as fertility continues to decline and economic pressures persist, it’s possible that pet ownership will become even more central to American family life. Rising housing costs, stagnant wages, and delayed adulthood have led more young adults to live at home longer and postpone life milestones such as marriage or parenthood. In contrast, owning a pet offers a more attainable and flexible form of companionship.
2. Housing Matters
The physical context in which people live also shapes pet ownership patterns. Homeownership plays a significant role, with homeowners being much more likely to have dogs and, to a lesser extent, cats than renters. This difference reflects not only the space typically available in owned homes but also the restrictions renters often face, such as pet bans or limitations on the types of animals allowed. Dogs, in particular, require space and freedom that a single-family home can provide, which many renters may lack. In fact, some adoption agencies even require a fenced yard as a condition for adopting a dog.
Urban dwellers are less likely to own dogs compared to suburban and rural residents, while those in rural areas are the most likely to have both cats and dogs. These patterns underscore how geography and housing availability impact whether people can or do choose to own pets.
3. Demographic Differences
Cultural norms also play an important role. Native-born Americans are more likely to have pets than those born outside the United States, with White Americans being the most likely group to own dogs or cats. Black and Asian Americans are significantly less likely to own pets, while Hispanic Americans are just as likely as non-Hispanics to own dogs, though somewhat less likely to own cats. These trends suggest that, even when controlling for economic factors, cultural attitudes toward pets may influence whether they are seen as an expected or desirable part of family life.
Conclusion
Altogether, the results highlight that pets become part of households when the motivation exists, when the living space allows it, and when the adults involved are willing and able to care for them. Unlike earlier studies, which emphasized the traditional married-with-children household as the core site of pet ownership, this study reveals that married and partnered couples—regardless of whether they have children—are highly likely to own pets. This shift suggests a broader redefinition of family and companionship, with pets taking on increasingly important roles.
Miscellaneous
Data From Study:
Owned Dogs > By Country > United States
Year of Publication:
2025
External Link:
Lawton LE. All in the Family: Pets and Family Structure. Populations. 2025; 1(2):8. https://doi.org/10.3390/populations1020008