Pets aren’t just part of the household, they’re considered beloved family members, according to 95% of survey respondents, in an August 2026 poll conducted by The Harris Poll on behalf of AICPA®.
This deep love for their pets influences how Americans spend their money. Sixty-two percent of pet owners surveyed have a pet-spending budget. If budget cuts needed to be made, 69% of survey respondents would cut spending on themselves rather than their pets.
Because of pets’ outsized influence on American’s budgeting and spending habits, CPA personal financial planners have an opportunity to broaden planning conversations to include pets and help clients prepare for their pets’ future care and well-being.
When pets become a budget priority
To Chuck Jaffe, host of the podcast Money Life With Chuck Jaffe, this trend in spending behavior is an indicator of who is, or is not, impacted the most by inflation.
“It means that inflation is affecting everyone except for the household animals because we’re not cutting spending on them,” Jaffe said. “We have now figured out who is immune to inflation, it’s our dogs and cats.”
Jaffe sat down with Cary Sinnett, CFP®, CAP®, CFT-1®, CExP®, director of Personal Financial Planning at the AICPA, to delve further into the pet ownership survey and how caring for a four-legged furry friend is influencing spending and planning habits.
The influence pets have on spending habits caught Jaffe’s attention, and that’s why he wanted to discuss survey results with Sinnett as part of his podcast segment, “Survey Said.” The conversation aired on Sept. 8, 2026.
“It's my responsibility to make sure that our family members who can’t provide for themselves are provided for by me. I’m not gonna cut the budget for Puddin,” said Sinnett, referring to one of his English bulldogs. “He’s so cute, and I don’t want any more side eye from him.”
“Your pets get more financially secure as you get financially secure,” Jaffe said. “That habit of ‘I’ll cut my spending before I cut the dog’s spending,’ is distinctly more pronounced the older you get. If you’re an older pet owner, [you’re] more financially secure.”
Closing the gap between love and long-term-care planning
Although they may be considered esteemed members of the family, only 40% of those who have a will or trust have included conditions for their pet.
“If you’re plan is ‘My family will figure it out,’ then you haven’t actually made a plan,” Sinnett said. “You’ve transferred the decision to somebody else.”
While many owners do not like considering their pets as property, you, as a CPA financial planner, can assist clients in preparing for a pet’s long-term care after their death. You can offer guidance on how to include pet provisions in wills, trusts, and estate plans.
“If you don’t put it in writing, it doesn’t really exist,” Sinnett said.
Other areas where you can assist pet-owning clients include:
Researching pet insurance plans
Creating a pet budget and emergency fund
Identifying and financially planning for a future caregiver
“You do have to plan for the costs,” Sinnett said. “Leaving someone your pet without considering the cost of care can mean leaving them an obligation along with your loved companion.”
Turning opportunity into action
Because many pet owners view their animals as family, CPA personal financial planners can help clients build financial and estate plans that account for their pets' care, well-being, and future needs.
Recognizing the emerging needs of pet owners is the first step. Having the right tools and guidance to have these nuanced conversations is where the AICPA® Personal Financial Planning (PFP) Section can help.
Through toolkits, resources, guides, and more, you can meet your clients’ needs, answer their questions, and offer valuable advice.