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Sat, 19 Jul 2025 14:15:11 -0700
marlon from private IP, post #12286957
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“DINK” couples & their pets, or white people
https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2025/07/19/dink-couples-pet-debt/85197325007/
Would you go into debt for your pet? Some couples are.
Portrait of Rachel Barber
USA TODAY
How far would you go to care for your pet?
For some, the cuddles, comfort, and joy they bring are worth going into debt. It’s particularly true for “DINK” couples – those with a dual income and
no kids – 94% of whom view their pets as family members, according to a new Insurify survey.
Some 68% of these pet parents say they’ve made financial sacrifices to cover essentials for their furry friends. From taking a second job to stopping savings
contributions to skipping medical care for themselves, DINK couples are willing to go a long way for their pets.
Kenzie Mollock and Wiley Garren, two married 29-year-olds living in Texas, consider their two-and-a-half-year-old miniature schnauzer mix family. They named her
“Hazelnut Frappuccino Whip Cream Paws,” or “Hazel” for short.
"Hazelnut Frappuccino Whip Cream Paws," or "Hazel" for short. An Insurify survey found 68% of DINK pet owners say they’ve made financial sacrifices for their
furry friends.
Mollock is a teacher and Garren serves in the U.S. Army. They described their salaries as “not huge,” but they always make room in the budget for Hazel.
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“When I’m happy, she’s there. When I’m sad, she’s there,” Mollock said. “Even if my husband’s not here because he’s at work and he’s
deployed, my dog is there. And she’s happy to see me every time.”
More: Owning a pet isn't easy. But these species can make it a little easier
How much do DINK couples spend on pets?
DINK couples surveyed spend an average of $1,906 per year on their pets; a fraction of the $23,000 parents spent raising a child last year, according to a SoFi
report.
The most common pet-related monthly costs for these couples are food, treats, and toys. Vet care, medication, and groomers are other common monthly expenses.
However, an unexpected vet visit can quickly throw a wrench in pet parents’ budgets. The highest vet bill those surveyed have paid is about $1,449, but 13%
said they had spent more than $3,000.
While that may seem like a lot, DINK pet parents say they would be willing to spend more. Those surveyed said they would spend up to $5,004 for lifesaving
treatment and $2,835 per year to care for a pet’s chronic health condition.
Even that may not be enough. Dr. Amy Fox, a veterinarian at Kinship said she has worked in several specialized animal hospitals where bills sometimes exceeded
$10,000 after pets experienced accidents or had severe health conditions.
"This can put pet parents in a difficult position when their pet has an unexpected emergency and is another very important reminder to have pet insurance or set
up an emergency savings fund for your pets," Fox told USA TODAY.
Whatever the cost, some pet owners seem willing to find a way to pay.
“I don't think there is a cap or a limit because you can just finance and pay it off slowly,” Mollock said.
What luxury pet items are people buying?
It can also be difficult to stick to a budget when your pet is giving you puppy dog eyes.
Only 11% of those surveyed said they never splurge on their furry friends. About 20% said they rarely buy non-essentials, 43% said they occasionally splurge,
and 26% said they regularly spoil their pets.
Some of the most popular luxury items DINK couples buy for their pets include vitamins or supplements, luxury treats, gourmet or organic fresh food. High-end
toys and clothing or accessories are also common splurges.
Mollock and Garren buy Hazel a salmon-and-rice-flavored dry food for dogs with sensitive skin and stomachs, tick and flea medication, and special bags she can
sit in when they run errands or go hiking. They also buy her enrichment toys.
“We usually get her these puzzle boxes, and they can get a little bit expensive. She’s so smart and inquisitive,” Mollock said. “Then you are just kind
of buying the next one and the next one. She’s outsmarted them all.”
What are DINK owners sacrificing for their pets?
Even if DINK couples aren’t splurging on organic food or outfits for their animals, pet-related expenses can put a dent in their budgets.
While 32% said they had never made financial sacrifices for a pet, 34% said they worked extra hours or took a second job to cover costs and 33% said they took
on credit card or loan debt.
The poll also found 29% stopped contributing to savings, 24% delayed paying other bills, and 15% skipped personal medical care.
“Human relationships with cats and dogs have drastically shifted, with a growing focus on animal welfare over the past several decades,” Julia Taliesin,
data journalist at Insurify, told USA TODAY. “Pet owners care for their pets on a personal level, making it easier for them to excuse splurges for the sake of
their pet’s welfare.”
Some sacrifices are hard to measure, like the time spent training a dog to stop begging for food or from chewing through another pair of shoes. And training
doesn't always end when puppies or kittens grow up.
As they get older, their personalities can change and issues can arise. Dr. Valli Parthasarathy, another veterinarian at Kinship, advises owners be prepared for
unwanted behaviors to start at any age and work with a vet or experienced trainer when they do.
Patriotically dressed dogs walk around Hull Park during the 2nd Annual 4th of July Parade and Community Celebration in Savannah, Ga., on July 4, 2025.
Do pets replace children for DINK couples?
While “fur babies” are a welcome addition to the family, 39% of DINK pet owners surveyed said they do plan on having children someday.
But 17% said raising children is too expensive to ever have them and 15% said they never wanted to have kids. Some 29% said they prefer a lifestyle that allows
for more freedom.
Of those surveyed, 22% said they need to improve their financial situation before having children, and 5% cited medical or fertility issues as the reason they
don’t have kids.
For Mollock and Garren, having kids isn’t a priority right now.
“We’re still trying to find our way in life,” Garren said. “We need to bring a kid into an environment where we have more things figured out than
less.”
In the meantime, Hazel is “something to take care of, similar to a baby,” he said. “We consider her family.”
Reach Rachel Barber atrbarber@usatoday.com and follow her on X @rachelbarber_
Sun, 20 Jul 2025 06:09:25 -0700
whiteguyinchina from private IP
Reply #19516069
When you have no one to leave money to, I think it's a great strategy to die broke.
Sun, 20 Jul 2025 07:30:36 -0700
zerosugar from private IP
Reply #10359731
My mom has an older sister. She has been married since 1988 when she was still in her early 20s. I believe my aunt was extremely beautiful when young, more so
than my mom or me. She is dark, but had very very soft features and a small nose that contrasted nice against her dark features. Usually women of her skin tone
have harder features. All the same, her husband and her never had children. He had some issues and refused to do anything artificial. He was also cheap and
selfish. My aunt was not the type to leave him, although I think she could have done way better for herself. She was attracted to a certain type of guy though.
He is from Alabama and thats how she ended up staying out there. They started a dog rescue that took up all their time and stopped my aunt from helping us with
my grandmother. All the same, she has a sad life and animal rescue is depressing to see all these abused and sick dogs come and go.
Anyway, I think its one thing if somebody is single, but to be married with no children seems sad. Of course, each to their own. I think its better to at least
try some artificial reproduction methods and fail than to not try at all. Even if you spend the money, at least you get peace of mind in knowing yoy did all you
can do. I am the biggest animal lover in the world and believe a house is not a home without a pet, but its just logic that a pet is not the same as a child and
they just do not live long enough.
Sun, 20 Jul 2025 07:32:16 -0700
zerosugar from private IP
Reply #17422391
My aunt also probably should have frozen her eggs when young in since it was clear this guy did not want kids and didn't want to try anything, so she could have
had a backup maybe. Now she will never have kids and is stuck with that husband. At the same time, my aunt is very crazy so maybe she would have not been the
best mom. I don't know. Maybe she is selfish.
Sun, 20 Jul 2025 07:37:24 -0700
zerosugar from private IP
Reply #12370985
Giving dogs these weird names is also wrong. Just give a normal name. With that being said, if you are going to get a pet, you have to accept they come with
expenses. What really bothers me is the poor people who get pets and end up abandoning them in shelters. Just don't get a pet if you are broke. Its that simple.
Its not a requirement to have a pet, but if you are going to get one, you have to treat it good.
Sun, 20 Jul 2025 08:10:23 -0700
zerosugar from private IP
Reply #15520204
IMHO, the only point of marriage is to raise children. If you aren’t going to do that, you might as well be single to mess with who you want to mess with. You
get bored with one person and one mind forever. Children are the only reason to stay in a marriage. I’m sure there are couples who love each other
unconditionally and are best friends, but let’s face it, that’s increasingly rare in 2025. Marriage ties people down and clips the wings.
Sun, 20 Jul 2025 08:28:13 -0700
2tierreality from private IP
Reply #19509172
Estate planning for DINKs is always interesting. Giant Leona Helmley type pet trusts are rare, from my experience. The distribution usually ends up beinga mix
of nieces and nephews and charities, with the most significant share being dorected toward charities. Word to the wise: be nice to your quirky aunt and uncle.
DINK couples who both work professional jobs tend to pass away with millions in the bank.
Sun, 20 Jul 2025 09:29:12 -0700
zerosugar from private IP
Reply #15088053
👍
Sadly, not all of them are just quirky. Its hard to be nice to people who are hardcore assholes like my aunt. She thrives on misery and conflict. Now, my father
had an uncle who was not hostile who had no kids and passed away in his late 80s or 90s with lots of money in the bank and a home. He left it all to my father.
That’s a very different situation though. My father was the only boy in his family.
Sun, 20 Jul 2025 09:29:47 -0700
zerosugar from private IP
Reply #14935874
😮
Being nice to my aunt would mean accepting extreme forms of verbal abuse.
@14935874 2tierreality 😮 @15088053 2tierreality 👍
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