Pet Parenting

Visiting someone’s house and spotting a pet isn’t uncommon. These may include playful dogs and cats or even the presence of fish and chirping birds. Raising a pet in households is a common phenomenon, and ‘Pet parenting’ is the buzzword that floats around. Have you wondered about various factors that are responsible for raising a pet? What are the psychological factors involved in wanting to keep a pet? What are the potential benefits? And also, let’s dig a little deeper into understanding the wave of pet parenting. 

In the digital era, pet parenting is a novel trend followed by the majority of urban folks. In India, the rate of pet parenting is substantially increasing by 12% every year. The rise of pet parenting has multiple factors, such as the need to have a relationship that can survive within a small space. Especially in the cosmopolitan areas where the lifestyle is fast-paced and families are becoming increasingly nuclear due to which people are losing on social interactions and belongingness, it’s evident that there’s a need for companionship that furnishes love and affection. Dogs, especially, are the source of unconditional love, which makes them one of the most common pets in households. Especially during the COVID pandemic, the rise in the pet population was rapid as people experienced a serious loss of belongingness and social relationships. People increasingly are inclined towards pet parenting because of the shift in social circumstances where either new-age couples don’t want kids, or retired parents whose own kids aren’t around need to have the feeling of still being a parent. The idea of raising a fur baby is now becoming the vox populi. According to a survey conducted by USA Today and OnePoll, 67% of respondents aged between 18 to 26 chose to get a dog instead of having a child. Due to the rising standard of living, a substantial amount of money remains after fulfilling the basic needs; hence, they are able to afford expensive breeds and materials required for pet care. Humanising a pet and becoming not only the provider or a caretaker but also their parent is a new social shift that is quite evident in and around us.  

There are numerous benefits of raising a pet for human beings. Research shows that pets significantly reduce stress, anxiety and depression. They are helpful in easing loneliness, which happens to be one of the most prevalent reasons for adopting pets in urban settings. Pets fulfil the basic human need for touch and thus become a source of unconditional affection and positive nonverbal communication. Loneliness, being a major issue nowadays, is somehow tackled by raising pets in the quest for love and happiness. Dogs are considered the most loveable pets due to their loyalty towards their caretaker. Due to the volatile lifestyle around us nowadays, people often subconsciously experience insecurity and strive for unconditional love. Dogs provide their love towards their caretakers without expecting anything in return, making them one of the most widely chosen pets. Pets share strong attachments with their caregivers; therefore, it is challenging to leave them behind when they are out of town or tied up with some other work.

Becoming a pet parent carries a bunch of responsibilities as it’s a catering of a new life in the house. It’s an emotional connection that transforms an animal into a full-fledged member of the family. Pet adoption is another way people resist purchasing high-end breeds and instead adopt street dogs in order to give those unfortunate mammals a good life. Pets who are abandoned or mistreated are usually adopted. Puppy farms from where the dog breeds are purchased push many dogs to reproduce as frequently as possible and keep them in inhumane conditions. By opting to adopt, people support animal welfare.

Dogs have always been considered as good companions and hence the recently popularised type of psychological therapy involve dogs. Dog therapy is proven to be effective in treating depression, anxiety disorders and other mental health conditions. It involves the use of trained dogs to assist in the therapeutic process for people with various emotional or psychological needs. Service dogs are trained to connect with people and satisfy their emotional needs by elevating serotonin and dopamine levels, which helps them relax. People suffering from such psychological distress often opt for dog therapy. Simply interacting with dogs and having them accompany the person is proven to have a positive impact on mental well-being, and thus, pet therapy is gaining wider acceptance. 

To sum up, pet parenting is a multifaceted responsibility that extends far beyond providing basic necessities and is beneficial yet challenging for both pets and their caregivers. It has emerged as a significant social trend, reflecting a shift in how people view and value their relationships with animals.