David L. Weimer
Valentine's Day reminds us to show love to the important people in our lives. We usually declare our love romantically, but sometimes all the hearts and flowers remind us that we express our love for equally important people in our lives. For many of us, this may mean dogs. About half of U.S. households have a dog as a pet. Many people describe their dog not just as a pet, but as a member of the family, not only through words but also through their actions.
Dogs have a dual status in modern society. On the one hand, they are goods that can be bought, sold, and owned. However, the majority of people who keep dogs as pets view them as more than just a commodity, with research showing that approximately 80 percent of respondents who own a pet dog consider their dog to be part of their family. It is common to think that one is a member. Not only do many people genuinely care about their dog's health, but they also show their love by celebrating their dog's birthday or including their dog in their holidays. You may have even gotten a holiday card with one or two of your dogs wearing Christmas sweaters. Or maybe you've offered your condolences to someone who lost a pet.
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Much has been written about the relationship between dogs and our species, but less has been written about the relationship between dogs and the economy. The strongest driver of dog domestication was undoubtedly the work they could do for us, such as helping us hunt, standing guard, and providing warmth on cold nights, but some dogs may have joined human clans as companions rather than workers. When dogs migrated with us to cities, they shed many of their practical functions and became pets. They were also more likely to live in the same neighborhood as their family members, making them more likely to be considered part of the family.
Dog Economics: Companion as a Family Member
Just like young children, our pet dogs depend on us for nurturing. Unlike our children, they remain dependent on us throughout their lives. The attitude of people who willingly accept this dependence and even enjoy it is a clear sign that the dog is a beloved member of the family. Economic analysis shows that in many households, dogs are substitutes for young children and even supplements for older children. That is, some people adopt dogs in lieu of having children, while others adopt dogs as companions for older children.
Just like with children, families are willing to incur significant costs for dog companionship. Beyond the direct costs of food and veterinary care, owning a dog can come with living costs such as a more rigid schedule, less flexible travel, and even housing arrangements. Some people don't like dogs or are allergic to dogs, so even romantic occasions have to be compensated.
Despite this, many people value the company of their dogs. Reduced face-to-face contact with people during the pandemic has contributed to an increase in companion dog adoptions. With more people working from home and a significant slowdown in travel, the overall cost of owning a dog has fallen, even though puppy prices have increased.
We pay for the care of our dogs like we would a member of our family.
We all want our children to live longer than us, but unfortunately it's only within us that we can hope that we'll outlive our dogs. and only the oldest person. When family members are no longer able to express their wishes and make end-of-life decisions, many of us choose heroic care that may sacrifice quality of life for the possibility of longevity. As we do, we increasingly see the same thing happening. This is especially true for dogs, as pet insurance makes such care economically viable for more people. Nevertheless, when your dog is in the family, you go to great lengths to receive health care to extend its life and add comfort, just as you would if it were a human member of the pack. It may take effort.
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Therefore, there is considerable evidence that people who say they view their dogs as family members actually provide them with care as if they were family members. It's natural to think that people love dogs the same way they love the people in their family. So, wish Fido a Happy Valentine's Day and give him a treat!
David L. Weimer is the Edwin E. Witte Professor of Political Economy at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He is co-author with Aidan R. Vining,Dog economics: A perspective on our relationship with our dogs.” (Cambridge University Press, 2024).
