New survey of 3,600 pet owners finds rising costs are only part of the story — pets are increasingly shaping where people choose to live, how they plan financially, and who they build a life with.

MIAMI, Sept. 15, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Spot Pet Insurance today released new survey findings on how deeply pets factor into some of life’s biggest decisions — from the home people choose to the partners they build a life with. The data suggests it’s pet ownership itself, not just rising costs, that’s redefining how people spend, plan, and prioritize.

Spot Pet Insurance surveyed 3,600 U.S. dog and cat owners ages 18–64 on how pets factor into major life decisions: how much weight a pet’s needs carry in a home search, whether a pet restriction would be a dealbreaker on an otherwise ideal property, how couples split a partner’s pre-existing pet expenses after merging households, whether a pet’s reaction to a new partner could put a relationship in question, and whether pet care is reshaping retirement timelines and estate planning.

For a majority of pet parents, a home search doesn’t start and end with humans.

• 58% say their pet’s needs carried as much weight as their own when choosing their current home, including one in ten who called their pet the single most important factor and built their housing search entirely around it.
• 75% would walk away from an otherwise ideal home entirely if a landlord or HOA banned their pet’s breed or weight — compared with just 4% who said they’d consider rehoming the pet instead.
• 34% have permanently altered their home’s layout or architecture to accommodate a pet, from ramps and modified cabinetry to a dedicated room.

Pets are becoming part of the relationship equation — emotionally and financially.

• 83% would take a pet’s persistent negative reaction to a new partner seriously enough that it could affect the relationship’s future, including 23% for whom it would be an immediate dealbreaker.
• 53% said they’d treat a partner’s pre-existing pet’s major medical costs as an equal, jointly funded responsibility once households are merged.
• Even so, most don’t want it in writing: just 14% said a formal “pet prenup” is a must-have before moving in together or marrying. Pet custody agreements, anyone?

Pet parenthood is bending some of life’s biggest financial decisions, too.

• 42% would delay their target retirement age by two to five years if working longer let them afford premium medical care and comfort for an aging pet.
• 41% plan to explicitly earmark funds or property for their pet’s ongoing care as part of their estate plan, including 13% who would prioritize that funding over leaving assets to extended human family.

The willingness to bend life around a pet has real limits.

• 53% either plan travel exclusively around their pet or pay heavily for premium sitting and boarding while traveling without them.
• 85% said no to preserving their pet’s DNA for future genetic cloning — even at a relatively accessible price point — though 59% wouldn’t rule out paying for a scientifically backed therapy that could extend their pet’s life span.

Taken together, the findings point to one shift showing up across the survey. Pets have moved from a beloved extra to something people plan their actual lives around, the way they would a partner or a child, right as more Americans delay or skip the milestones that used to define adult life. Instead, pets are filling that space: shaping where people live, factoring into retirement and estate plans, and becoming part of how people evaluate a relationship.

“Earlier this year, our first survey found that vet bills alone were already reshaping household budgets, careers and relationships. This survey shows something bigger. It’s not just the bills, it’s pet ownership itself that’s shaping some of life’s biggest decisions: where to live, who to build a life with, and how to plan for the future,” said Steven Gilliam, Spot Pet Insurance, General Manager. “These results reinforce just how much people care about their pets, and at Spot, we’re committed to helping pet parents make these decisions with confidence, not compromise.”

More information about the Modern Pet Parenthood Report can be found here.

Methodology

Spot Pet Insurance commissioned a survey powered by Pollfish among 3,600 pet owners ages 18-64 in the U.S. in August 2026.

About Spot Pet Insurance

Spot Pet Insurance is a passionate team of pet-health-obsessed pet parents driven by a shared vision to educate, empower, and engage pet lovers about the benefits of pet insurance. They aim to help pet owners pay for covered veterinary bills, ensuring that their dogs and cats can lead healthier, happier lives.

Waiting periods, annual deductible, co-insurance, benefit limits and exclusions may apply. For all terms visit https://spotpet.com/sample-policy. Products, schedules, discounts, and rates may vary and are subject to change. 10% multi-pet discount is available on all pets after the first.

Premiums are based on and may increase or decrease due to the age of your pet, the species or breed of your pet, and your home address.

Insurance plans are underwritten by either Independence American Insurance Company (NAIC #26581. A Delaware insurance company located at 11333 N. Scottsdale Rd, Ste. 160, Scottsdale, AZ 85254) or United States Fire Insurance Company (NAIC #21113. Morristown, NJ), and are produced by Spot Pet Insurance Services, LLC. (NPN # 19246385. 990 Biscayne Boulevard Suite 603, Miami, FL 33132. CA License #6000188).

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SOURCE Spot Pet Insurance