PET OWNERSHIP
Imagine your pet as a person. Would you fall head over heels, or run the other way? Inspired by a viral TikTok trend, MetLife Pet Insurance surveyed 1,000 U.S. pet owners to explore the emotional depth of their human-pet bond.1 From AI-generated pet portraits to choosing apartments based on pet compatibility, the results reveal just how deeply pets influence their owners' hearts and their lives.
Many pet owners have imagined what their furry friend might be like as a person. Some picture a loyal friend, while others see dating potential in an AI-generated version of their pet.
Emotional connections between pets and humans can run deep.2 Over one-third (38%) said they rely on their pet more than any human relationship. This trend was stronger among Gen Z (43%) than Gen X/baby boomers (38%) and millennials (35%). More than half of pet owners (57%) say "I love you" to their pet multiple times a day, and 77% feel their pet offers better emotional support than their previous human partner.
Nearly 9 in 10 (88%) believed they'd get along with their pet as a human, with 45% saying they'd be friends and 43% expecting some occasional clashes. The viral TikTok trend of using AI to reimagine pets as people has only added fuel to this imaginative fire.3 Over a third of pet owners (36%) had heard of the trend, and one in seven (14%) had already tried visualizing their pet as a human.
Of those who did, 31% admitted they would be interested in dating the human version of their pet. Millennials (34%) and Gen X/baby boomers (33%) were the most likely to say they'd do so, while Gen Z was the least likely (24%). Dog owners (33%) and cat owners (31%) were nearly neck and neck on this idea, but generational differences revealed more interesting trends.
Among Gen X/baby boomers, cat owners (45%) were far more open to the idea than dog owners (29%). The reverse was true for millennials (39% dog owners vs. 13% cat owners). Still, not everyone imagined romantic compatibility. Around 2 in 5 pet owners (39%) said their pet would be a "walking red flag" if they were human.
Beyond emotional connection, pets are a top priority in owners' daily lives. Here's how far some go to keep their companions happy.
Two-thirds of pet owners (66%) said they put their pet's needs, like vet visits and comfort, before their own wants.4 Gen Z was especially committed, with 75% saying they prioritize their pet this way, compared to 66% of millennials and 61% of Gen X and baby boomers.
That love often shows up in their budgets. Pet owners spend an average of $180 a month on their pets, with Gen Z spending the most at $200, followed by millennials at $185, and Gen X and baby boomers at $160. Many also cut back on personal expenses to care for their pets, sacrificing dining out (32%), buying new clothes (26%), or taking a trip (22%) to cover pet costs.5
Spending on pets sometimes tops spending on people. One in five owners admitted to spending more on their pet's birthday or holiday gifts than on a human loved one. One-third said they spend more on their pet overall than on their partner. Women were especially likely to put their pets first, with 45% saying they prioritize pet purchases over partner gifts, compared to 21% of men.
This deep loyalty even shows up in dating decisions. More than 4 in 5 pet owners (81%) said they would refuse to date someone who didn't like their pet.
From choosing homes to ending relationships, the bond between pets and their people impacts big decisions.
Over half of pet parents (54%) said they have canceled plans to stay home with their pets in the past. Even more (87%) said they would give up their dream apartment if it wasn't pet-friendly, showing just how central pets are to major lifestyle choices.6
Their influence doesn't stop there. Nearly half (46%) said they plan vacations around their pet's needs, and 42% choose housing based on pet compatibility.7 In more extreme cases, 6% have ended relationships over pet conflicts, and 5% have turned down job offers that weren't pet-inclusive.
Pet owners would love for their employers to offer more pet-related benefits. They often desire pet bereavement leave (52%), employer-sponsored pet insurance (46%), and more flexible schedules or remote work opportunities to better care for their pet (43%).8 Another 44% said they would give up an extra week of paid vacation if it meant their employer offered emergency pet care.
This lighthearted yet meaningful look at the pet-owner bond shows just how deep the connections between animals and humans can be. From emotional support to everyday decisions, pets shape our lives in big and small ways. Many pet owners center their routines, budgets, and even relationships around them. In the end, the question isn't just whether you'd date your pet, but how much they already mean to your life. In the end, the question isn't just whether you'd date your pet, but how much they already mean to your life.
This survey, conducted by Fractl on behalf of MetLife on May 5, 2025, examined 1,000 American pet owners to explore the depth of emotional attachment between them and their pets. The average age of respondents was 40; 50% were female, 48% were male, and 2% were nonbinary. Generationally, 34% were baby boomers and Gen X combined, 48% were millennials, and 18% were Gen Z.
MetLife Pet Insurance provides comprehensive insurance solutions for pets, offering pet owners financial security and peace of mind when it comes to veterinary care. Depending on your level of coverage and the plans you choose, we can cover everything from routine check-ups to emergency services. Help your pets get the care they need and worry less about the costs.
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