Moms and dads never really stop worrying about their kids and it turns out, pet parents don’t either. A new survey of cat and dog owners finds that they worry about how happy their pets are an average of 11 times a day. On top of that, they worry about their pet’s health 10 times a day.
According to the poll of 2-thousand pet parents across the country, many have what you might call “petuition,” when it comes to their fur babies, but they still keep a close watch on how they stick to their normal routine to spot any red flags right away.
- Cat and dog moms and dads say they worry about everything from how happy their pet is (53%) to their overall health status (52%), and if they’re anxious or stressed (41%).
- Nearly half (46%) also pay close attention to their pet’s diet, and even notice it more than their own (91% compared to 86%).
- While keeping a watchful eye, the biggest red flag something is off with their pet is if they ignore meals (35%).
- Pets having mobility issues (34%), scratching or self-grooming more than usual (25%), drinking too much or too little (22%), and losing interest in their favorite toys and activities (22%) can also spark concern.
- If they see something isn’t right, pet parents only wait an average of four hours before investigating the cause or reaching out to their vet.
- For 46%, getting guidance from their veterinarian is the first step, while others start with Internet searches (42%), consulting friends and family (26%), social media (11%) and even AI tools (9%).
- Three-quarters of respondents (74%) say they trust their vet much more than other people in their household (35%), social media (14%) and AI (14%).
- That’s even more important for the 58% who have a pet with a specific condition or need, including everything from anxiety (18%), to weight management (17%), skin issues (16%), joint issues (14%), food allergies (12%) and dental or oral issues (10%).
Source: NY Post