How owning pets is shaping our travel habits: study findings

It’s no secret that leaving pets at home when it’s time for a vacation is no walk in the park. But would you believe us if we told you that 17% of pet owners would feel less guilty skipping a family birthday, compared to leaving their pet? Or that 1 in 5 owners would rather ghost someone after a first date, than leave their furry family member at home? Or maybe more surprisingly, that 9% of pet parents admit they’d feel worse leaving their pet, than forgetting their kid’s birthday altogether?

Well it’s true, true, and true - the attachment is real, and so is the pet parent guilt. Our furry friends are truly changing the way that we travel, and how we feel about going away. 

So is there a solution? Or is it all guilt and staycations for pet parents, from here on out? Well because pet happiness is at the front and centre of everything we do, we commissioned studies on UK and US pet parents to find out. Explore the findings below.

How is pet ownership shaping travel for US pet parents?

There’s no question about it: the rise in pet ownership is changing the way that Americans travel. But it’s not just about quantity - pets are considered part of the family now. And as furry family members, our pets are (accidentally) causing a whole lot of pet parent guilt, worry and anxiety - without a decent pet care solution, that is. Take a look below for the results of our study on 5,000 US pet parents.

Pets are changing the way US pet owners travel

• More than half (56%) of US pet owners say they travel less since getting a pet.
• 16% of owners spend more on a vacation just so they could bring their pets along. 
• 57% of pet owners now plan vacations around pet-friendly accommodation.
• 22% of pet owners choose a road trip instead of a flight. 
• Maine has the highest net agreement (74%), with pet owners saying they travel less since getting a pet.
• 18% would rather leave their partner at home to care for the pet while they vacation solo.

Worry is ruining vacations for US pet owners

• 61% of pet owners say they worry more about their pet’s wellbeing than their own enjoyment on vacation.
• A third (33%) of pet parents say they spend a significant portion of their vacation on their phones, checking in on their pet or video calling their sitter.
• 54% say their travel is impacted because they worry that their pet thinks they’ve been abandoned.
• 9% have left a vacation early because they fear their pet feels abandoned.

Pet ownership & vacationing: it’s emotional

• 52% say their pet’s sad face while they pack has made them too guilty to go. 
• 1 in 5 owners say they would rather ghost someone after a first date than leave their pet behind.
• About half (49%) say they don’t trust anyone else to care for their pet properly.
• Nearly half (49%) of pet owners experience separation anxiety when away.
• A third (33%) of pet parents say they spend a significant portion of their vacation on their phones, checking in on their pet or video calling their sitter.
• For over half (54%), the worry is deep-seated - they’re convinced their pet thinks they’ve been abandoned.
• 21% of owners say they’d feel less guilty canceling plans with a close friend at the last minute than leaving their pet at home.
• 17% would feel less guilty skipping a family birthday compared to leaving their pet.
• 1 in 10 (12%) say they would feel more guilty leaving their pet than their child with a sitter.
• More surprisingly, 9% admit they would feel more guilty leaving their pet than forgetting their kid’s birthday altogether.

Source: A study of 5,000 pet owners in the US, commissioned by TrustedHousesitters

How is pet ownership shaping travel for UK pet parents?

It’s a similar story in the UK: since welcoming a pet into their lives, many UK pet owners have changed the way that they travel to accommodate their new furry family members. Let’s take a look at the study findings below, where 2,000 UK pet owners were asked for their thoughts, habits and opinions.

Pets are changing holiday choices for UK pet owners

• Nearly half (48%) of pet owners travel less since they welcomed pets into their lives.
• 50% of pet parents take shorter holidays since getting a pet.
• 47% now prefer pet-friendly staycations over international trips.
• Nearly half (46%) of pet owners now actively look for pet-friendly accommodation.
• 57% of dog owners agree that they plan trips specifically around pet-friendly accommodation, compared to 38% of cat owners.

Emotions run high for UK pet owners

• 14% of pet parents admit to cutting holidays short because they missed their pet too much.
• Almost half (49%) confess that they worry more about their pet’s wellbeing than their own enjoyment. 
• More than half of pet owners (53%) worry their pet thinks they’ve been abandoned when they go away.
• 52% feel like a bad parent if they leave their pet for too long.

Age affects the way pet parents feel about their animals

• 69% of 18 -24 year olds agree that their pet looks sad while they’re packing their bags, compared to 64% of respondents aged 18-44, 44% of respondents aged 45-65, and 35% of respondents aged 65+.
• Compared to older age categories, 18-34 year olds were more likely to agree that they:
• Travel less frequently;
• Take short holidays;
• Plan trips specifically around pet-friendly accommodations;
• Worry more about their pet’s wellbeing than their own; 
• ​​Spend a lot of time video calling their pet, checking in with the sitter, or watching their pets through a camera.

Source: A study of 2,000 pet owners in the UK, commissioned by TrustedHousesitters

Will pet ownership and guilt-free travel ever go hand-in-hand?

It’s clear to see that pet ownership has caused owners to change their travel habits, and has triggered a whole lot of pet parent guilt in the meantime. But can pet ownership ever exist alongside a guilt-free vacation? Angela Laws, Head of Community at TrustedHousesitters, explains:

“We’ve witnessed a significant shift in travel habits, especially since the pandemic, with pets' needs front and centre when it comes to holiday decisions. Luckily, the travel and pet care landscape is also adapting. Pet owners have more options than ever before, whether that’s taking their beloved pets away with them, finding pet-friendly accommodation, or using pet sitters. 

“Vets and pets agree that pets are happiest at home, so having a sitter stay with them provides not only comfort, consistency, and continuity, but also peace of mind for the owner, knowing their pet is safe and cared for in familiar surroundings.”

How to give your pets the staycation of their dreams

Luckily, there is a solution for pet parents wanting a guilt-free vacation. With TrustedHousesitters, owners travel with peace of mind while their pets are looked after at home by a verified, loving sitter. For one annual membership fee, pet parents welcome as many sitters as needed throughout the year, with no hidden costs. With this in mind, it’s no wonder that:

• 41% of pet parents take more trips now that they are a TrustedHousesitters member;
• 34% of respondents go on holiday three times per year;
• 36% of respondents go on holiday more than three times per year;
• 72% of TrustedHousesitters members say that they feel more relaxed leaving their pets with a trusted sitter;
• 54% believe that their pet is more relaxed with a trusted sitter;
• 27% of owners feel less separation anxiety when leaving their pets with a trusted sitter;
• 64% of pet parents say that their feelings about going away have changed since becoming a TrustedHousesitters member.

And before becoming a TrustedHousesitters member:

• 43% of respondents relied on family or friends for vacation pet care;
• 30% paid for an in-home pet sitter;
• 15% sent their pets to boarding facilities.

Source: TrustedHousesitters owner member survey, 2025

Methodology

• UK study: Statistics from a survey of 2,000 Brits, conducted by TLF Research 
• US study: The research was conducted by Opinion Matters, among a sample of 5,000 US pet owners. The data was collected between March 25, 2025, and April 4, 2025. Opinion Matters abides by and employs members of the Market Research Society and follows the MRS code of conduct and ESOMAR principles.