Feb 22, 2026 08:00:00

Humans demand too much from dogs

Margaret Grebowitz, a distinguished professor of humanities at Missouri University of Science and Technology, believes that Americans are demanding too much of their dogs, leading to unhappy relationships between them and their owners.

Americans are asking too much of their dogs

https://theconversation.com/americans-are-asking-too-much-of-their-dogs-256768

According to the American Veterinary Medical Association , approximately 42.6% of American households own a dog, compared to 32.6% who own a cat. One survey found that nearly all pet owners in the United States (97%) consider their pets to be part of the family, with 51% saying they are as devoted to their pets as human family members. This shows just how much love there is for pets.

Mark Cushing, a veterinary attorney, describes this growing affection for pets as a 'pet revolution,' pointing out that pets are occupying an increasingly privileged position in American society. 'People have become isolated because of the internet, and they have become intensely focused on pets as substitutes for people,' he argues.

But Grebowitz argues that something else is happening, especially since the COVID-19 lockdown: Rather than simply using dogs as human substitutes, people are expecting more from them than they would from humans, such as expecting their pets to solve problems they can't solve themselves.

A 2025

study showed that dog owners tend to rate their pets higher than their human loved ones on multiple dimensions, such as companionship and support, and also perceived fewer negative interactions with their dogs compared to their relationships with the people closest to them, such as children, romantic partners, or extended family.

In 1972, 46% of Americans said 'most people can be trusted,' but by 2018, that percentage haddropped to 34%. Americans report seeing friends less these days and are more likely to avoid conversations with strangers because they anticipate the conversation will not go well. People are spending more time at home and enjoying their pets. This has led to a growing passion for 'people who can't trust others, but can trust dogs.'

However, if the idea that dogs make people feel loved, ease the pressure of having children, and reduce the monotony of work and the stress of a competitive society goes too far, it can lead to a situation where people are exploiting the soothing emotions of dogs, which will eventually become unsustainable, just like the extraction of natural resources.

Grebowitz also points out that the widespread lifestyle of treating pets like human children can harm animals by leading owners to pursue unnecessary medical care, tests, and medications. Domestic dogs can suffer from boredom and develop chronic psychological distress and health problems because they are left alone at home while their owners are at work.

'Expecting dogs to fill our social and emotional voids actually hinders their own thriving, and our own human thriving,' Grebowitz said. 'We may need to restructure our homes, families, and societies in ways that are better for both dogs and humans, including through more accessible healthcare and quality food. A world focused on human thriving will also be a world focused on pet thriving. It will be a very different country than the United States today.'