Imagine the gentle hum of the air conditioner running in the next room, the soft glow of a TV left on for company, and the faint click of a pet camera as someone checks in — all silent gestures of love from people who’d rather stay home with their pets.
In our survey of over 1,500 U.S. pet owners, we discovered how far people will go — to adjust schedules, tweak thermostats, rearrange living spaces, and even sacrifice their own comfort — all in the name of keeping their furry friends content and cared for when home alone.
Let’s explore how devotion, energy usage, and home life intertwine in the modern pet household.
According to our survey, 61% of pet owners won’t leave their pet alone for more than three hours a day, and 28% say their pets are rarely alone for more than an hour. On the opposite end of the spectrum, only 2% of Americans say they leave their pets home alone for 10 or more hours a day.
Ninety percent of pet owners feel guilty when leaving their pets home alone, and for 7%, the feeling is so strong that it is described as heartbreaking.
That emotional pull shows up in daily decision-making. Nearly three in four pet owners (73%) have canceled or left plans early because of their pet, and 39% say they’ve done so three or more times in the last year alone. Gender plays a role too — women are nearly twice as likely as men to frequently cancel plans for pets, with 10% of women doing so six to 10 times over the past year, compared to 6% of men.
Even love takes a backseat to furry affection: 58% of Americans say they’d rather stay home with their pet than go on a date or night out. The split again leans more toward women (60%) than men (54%).
Dog owners are also more likely to adjust their plans for pets — 81% say they’ve canceled due to their dog, compared to 60% of cat owners.
When it comes to careers and work habits, the commitment continues. Thirty-eight percent of pet owners have rearranged their work schedules or adjusted their work-from-home days to prioritize their pets.
One in four has even used PTO or a sick day just to stay home with their animal companion. And for some, job decisions hinge on pet needs — 27% have chosen a job because it allowed them to work from home, and 1 in 10 have turned down a promotion or quit altogether for the same reason.
Based on the results of our survey, 72% of Americans have upgraded or rearranged some part of their home specifically to make it more comfortable for their pet. Among them, cat owners are the most likely to redesign their space, with 79% making pet-focused changes, compared to 64% of dog-only owners.
That elevated standard of living isn’t lost on today’s pet parents. Sixty-five percent of Americans believe their pet lives a more comfortable life than they did growing up, and for Gen Z, that sentiment is even stronger — more than 70% say their pets have it better than their childhood selves.
Beyond physical upgrades, emotional routines also play a significant role. Sixty percent of Americans say they always say goodbye to their pet before leaving the house. That number jumps to 63% for dog owners and falls slightly to 53% for cat owners. Older adults are the most consistent with this ritual — 66% of those aged 61 and above say goodbye every time, compared to just 53% of those aged 18 to 28. Women are significantly more likely than men to engage in this daily goodbye, at 64% vs. 52%.
And while we may view our pets as endlessly forgiving, most owners suspect otherwise. Sixty percent believe their pet gives them “attitude” after being left alone too long — especially cat owners (64%), who are much more likely than dog owners (53%) to suspect a little furry grudge-holding.
Modern technology plays a significant role in alleviating separation anxiety — at least for humans. Forty-six percent of pet owners have a pet camera or live feed to monitor their pet while they’re away. More than one in three (37%) have spoken to their pet through a camera, and men are notably more likely than women to use these tools (54% vs. 43%).
Camera check-ins are also frequent: 47% of pet owners monitor their camera daily, and 22% do so three or more times a day. For some, the separation anxiety kicks in fast — 26% say they check the camera within just 15 minutes of leaving home.
For many pet owners, ensuring their animal’s comfort doesn’t stop at camera check-ins or sweet goodbyes — it often comes with real financial and lifestyle trade-offs.
Forty percent of Americans leave the TV on for their pet when they leave the house, while 55% adjust the AC or heat specifically for their animal’s comfort.
The commitment extends beyond daily habits. More than half (55%) have altered the length or destination of a vacation to avoid leaving their pet alone for too long.
For some, comfort comes with a price tag — 27% have spent over $100 on a single item designed purely to keep their pet content when home alone.
In fact, 24% of pet owners report spending over $50 a month on products, services, or habits that cater to their pet’s comfort in their absence.
Keeping pets happy while we’re away doesn’t just shape routines — it reshapes utility bills.
Nearly one in four pet owners (23%) estimate they spend an extra $25 or more per month on energy bills just for their pets’ comfort— whether that means leaving the lights on, running the AC, or keeping the TV going while they’re away.
And when it comes to choosing between personal comfort and pet well-being, pets come first: Americans are more than twice as likely to cut their own comfort before compromising their pets if energy bills spiked — 24% vs. 10%.
Smart solutions are also growing in popularity. Nearly half (48%) say they would buy a smart tool that automatically adjusts the temperature based on whether their pet is home, and 8% already use one.
Balancing your pet’s comfort with household energy costs is achievable. While there’s no single solution, a combination of at-home energy-saving tips and strategic shopping can make a difference. A few Retail Electricity Providers (REPs) now cater to pet owners, so it’s worth researching these plans to find the best fit for your budget and needs.
Whether it’s rearranging furniture, canceling plans, or fine-tuning the thermostat, American pet owners are clearly willing to go to great lengths for their animals’ comfort. But those daily choices, especially keeping the AC, lights, or TV running, can quietly drive up energy bills.
Here are a few easy ways to keep pets happy and save money:
With the right electricity plan, pet parents can also leave the AC or lights on without guilt, knowing they’re not overpaying for peace of mind. In deregulated states like Texas, Power Wizard makes it simple by comparing providers and finding a plan that fits your lifestyle and your pet’s needs.
We surveyed 1,512 U.S. pet owners over one week in July 2025 to learn how far they go to keep their pets comfortable when home alone. Respondents were recruited through an online survey platform and represented a mix of ages, genders, and regions across the country. Questions covered pet care habits, emotional connections, financial and home investments, energy use, work and schedule adjustments, and use of pet-related technology.
Imagine trading your morning commute for a short walk to the kitchen table—sounds like a win, right? But while working...
Click on a section to skip directly to it: Let Power Wizard Research For You!What is the Difference Between Texas Energy...
Click on a section to skip directly to it: With Power Wizard’s Shopping Tool!How Are Electricity Rates Determined In M...
