The American Pet Products Association has been tracking pet spending data since 1994, and since 1994 the dollars spent have increased nearly 50% (this number is adjusted for inflation).  Americans spent nearly $60 billion on their pets in 2013.  This number does not include the hundreds of millions of dollars given to the charities pulling our heart strings with images of animals in cages and shelters and Sarah Mclachlan singing “In the Arms of An Angel”.

So how are these dollars being spent? Dogs and cats mostly. Americans spent nearly the same in dollars for cats and dogs in the categories of food, vet care and medicine—but there is a strong break when it comes to nonessential spending.

If your dog is restless or bored, you can take him to doggie daycare, where indoor pools, organic treats and shade trees abound.  In SF there are too many to count, and apparently millions more in funding to come.  SF Hound Lounge opened its 7,000 sq foot facility in 2002, where your dog can play with like-sized dogs or ‘nap on comfy hammocks’ for a single visit fee of $42/day.  In 2009 corporate attorney, Anna Gil turned her love for pets and pet care into a profitable business with Dogpile Dogs.  Here you will find 22,000 square feet of play space and fancy dogs; “The collars and jackets that are on these dogs are all just the best, they’re designer labels, they’re Gucci, any high end designer that you can think of. We have dogs coming in with very nice cashmere turtleneck sweaters with pearl buttons on them.” says owner Anna.  For $50/day your dog will receive maximum attention and entertainment.  Is your dog lonely when you leave? DOGTV, a channel designed for stay at home dogs, says it helps dogs overcome stress, separation anxiety and other behavioral problems; “scientifically developed to stimulate and comfort your dog when left alone”.

Why the dramatic increase in spending?  In 1994, there was only a 6-7% increase in pet ownership. That’s not enough to justify the 50% hike.  One reason is there are more services and consumer items today for our pets.  We spent $8.64 billion on grooming, designer bowls, fancy carriages, birthday cakes, beds, collars, costumes etc.  Not bad, as Facebook’s annual revenue in 2013 was recorded as $7.87 billion.

Have we become a more nurturing society?  

The United States Interagency Council on Homelessness claims $20 billion could end homelessness.  In January 2013, 610,042 people were homeless on a given night, 35% of which were living in unsheltered locations.  Nearly 23% or 138,149 of those people were children. [1] As the disparity between the rich and poor advances and homelessness continues, a more nurturing society seems unlikely.  What about a homeless human with a dog? In December 2013, a dog named River was struck by a car who sped away. The owner of the dog was a homeless man named Steve Anthony.  Several witnesses assisted the dog and man to the hospital.  Subsequently the do-gooders went on a quest to raise the $7,000 needed for the dog’s surgery.   A Christmas Miracle, as the leftover donations from the surgery allowed Mr. Anthony a weeklong hotel stay.

Besides buying the L.A. Clippers, sixty billion dollars a year could make college free for half of all the full-time college students.  The combined total spent on higher education is $110 billion, so $60 billion could cover half of all enrolled tuitions. [2]

I asked my neighbors who are ‘parents’ to two dogs, why they had a dog.

“My dog is like my child. I feel happy when I come home and they are jumping all over me because they are so happy to see me.  They need me and I need them too I guess.” – Lewis

Do we need our pets?

Pets do in fact provide companionship. Pets provide a huge crutch to ward off loneliness. Pets encourage you to get outside and exercise and in urban parks, this also leads to a greater likelihood of social contact. Psych experts’ say when we play with our pets we receive a dose of oxytocin, which makes us feel good and relieves stress. But, to be fair, Dr. Paul Zak has written a book called The Moral Molecule, where he states hugging and any physical touch releases oxytocin.  And he claims watching an emotionally compelling movie releases loads of oxytocin.  Singing, dancing, exercise, taking a friend to dinner and social media all produce oxytocin.

Pets have more status today.

The humanization of our pets, have led many owners to consider their pets as part of the family. Most adults don’t remember their childhood pets with such high status. This humanization has led people to believe pets deserve more. There are one million dogs in the U.S. that have been named the primary beneficiary of their owner’s will.

Dog ownership can be seen as an economic indicator, and that makes sense. More money is being spent in the United States compared to other countries with large dog populations. But it is a question to consider; does your dog really need that diamond studded collar or high prized organic feed?  Is your dog more deserving of a hammock swing than the homeless child is to a meal?