Doubtless Q3 Pet Parent Insights Reveal How Pets Are Shaping Major Life Decisions

New consumer data show pets are influencing decisions around housing, finances, preventive care, and long-term health planning

CHICAGO, Oct. 27, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Doubtless, a leading pet care organization, today released its Q3 Pet Parent Insights, a collection of consumer findings exploring how evolving pet parent expectations are influencing housing, financial planning, preventive care, and long-term health decisions.

The findings bring together consumer research and insights from across the Doubtless portfolio, including Pumpkin, Spot Pet Insurance, and Embrace Pet Insurance, identifying emerging trends shaping modern pet parenthood and pet health. They come at a time when pet ownership and pet healthcare continue to evolve. According to the 2026 NAPHIA State of the Industry Report, North America is home to more than 7.6 million insured pets, representing more than 8% growth since 2024 and underscoring how pet owners are proactively planning for their pets' health and wellbeing.

"Pets are no longer just companions. They're increasingly at the center of how families today make their most important life decisions," said Dirk Beeckman, Global CEO, Doubtless. "Whether it's choosing a home, budgeting for the future or prioritizing preventive care, pet parents are adapting their lives around the needs of their pets. As that bond continues to deepen, our role is to be a trusted partner for pet parents, helping them navigate every stage of their pet's life with confidence, with expert guidance, access to care, and the peace of mind that financial protection provides when it matters most."

More Pet Owners Are Building Lives Around Their Pets
(Source: Spot Pet Insurance Consumer Survey, August 2026)

• 58% of pet owners say their pet's needs carried as much weight as their own when selecting a home.
• 75% would walk away from an otherwise ideal property if breed or weight restrictions prevented them from keeping their pet.
• 34% have permanently modified their homes to better accommodate a pet.

They're Planning Financial Futures With Pets in Mind, Too
(Source: Spot Pet Insurance Consumer Survey, August 2026)

• 42% would delay retirement if it meant they could better support an aging pet's healthcare and quality of life.
• 41% plan to designate funds or assets for their pets as part of their estate planning.

Preventive Care Is Becoming a Core Priority
(Source: Pumpkin Preventive Care Insights, 2026)

Pet parents are placing greater emphasis on preventive care and long-term health planning, but affordability can remain a barrier to routine veterinary care. Programs like Pumpkin Wellness Club, a non-insurance wellness product, can help make preventive care more accessible and predictable. Routine care remains one of the most effective ways to identify concerns early and support healthier outcomes.

• The average DA2PP vaccine, which helps protect against canine parvovirus and other serious viral diseases, costs approximately $36, while treatment for canine parvovirus alone can exceed $1,800.
• An estimated 80-90% of dogs develop periodontal disease by age three, highlighting why veterinarians often recommend routine dental care as part of pet's long-term preventive health plan.
• Routine dental cleanings average less than $400, while treatment for advanced periodontal disease can cost nearly $2,000.
• Flea, tick, and heartworm prevention can cost substantially less than treating the diseases they help prevent.

"Preventive care helps shift the focus from reacting to illness to proactively supporting lifelong health," said Dr. Jennifer Sperry, DVM, Medical Director at Doubtless. "Routine wellness exams, vaccinations, and parasite prevention play an important role in reducing disease risk and identifying health concerns before they become more serious. Dental care, meanwhile, can provide lasting benefits to both overall health and day-to-day comfort, making it one of the most valuable investments in a pet's long-term well-being. Together, these preventive measures help pets live healthier lives while giving pet parents greater confidence in the healthcare decisions they make."

The Cost of Care Remains Unpredictable
(Source: Embrace Pet Insurance Q2 2026 Claims Data)

Even common symptoms can lead to dramatically different treatment paths and costs. For example, vomiting claims averaged $587 but reached more than $11,000, while lameness claims averaged $453 but exceeded $13,000 in some cases. CCL tears, a common knee injury in dogs, resulted in claims averaging $1,436 and reaching nearly $15,000, reflecting a range of care from follow-up visits and medications to surgery and specialty treatment. These findings illustrate how seemingly routine symptoms can escalate into complex medical conditions.

Pets Are Influencing Lifestyles & Relationships
(Source: Spot Pet Insurance Consumer Survey, August 2026)

The survey found that pet parents are increasingly willing to make lifestyle and financial decisions that support their pets' wellbeing. More than half (53%) either plan travel around their pets or invest in premium boarding and care while away, while 59% would consider paying for a scientifically backed therapy that could extend their pet's lifespan.

The influence of pets also extends beyond financial and healthcare decisions. Additional findings showed that 83% of pet parents said a pet's negative reaction to a romantic partner could impact the future of the relationship.

Together, the findings suggest pet owners are increasingly prioritizing their pets' wellbeing, longevity, and quality of life across many aspects of daily living.

Looking Ahead
As pets become increasingly integrated into family life, pet parents are placing greater emphasis on prevention, planning, and quality of life. Doubtless expects continued interest in preventive care options such as wellness memberships, alongside growing demand for pet-friendly housing and communities that better reflect the needs of modern pet families.

Methodology: Doubtless' Q3 Pet Parent Insights synthesize consumer research, claims insights, veterinary expertise, and market observations from across the Doubtless portfolio, including Pumpkin, Spot Pet Insurance, and Embrace Pet Insurance. Individual studies and reports referenced in this release were conducted independently and may vary by methodology, sample size, audience, and reporting period.

About Doubtless: A global pet insurance and solutions organization with a mission to lead increased access to, and quality of, pet care. Independence Pet Holdings and Pinnacle Pet Group are now operating as Doubtless, which offers a diverse portfolio of trusted pet insurance brands and innovative pet care solutions. Operating across 10 markets globally, Doubtless empowers pet parents and veterinary professionals to make pet care decisions based on medicine, not budget. Today, Doubtless protects more than 6 million insured pets. For more information, visit www.doubtlesspet.com.

SOURCE Doubtless