42% of Dog Owners Say the Best Part of Vacation Is… Coming Home to Their Dog

For dog people, traveling is basically a countdown to getting home and being smothered in fur and slobber.

A new survey of 2,000 dog owners confirms what every pet parent already knows: the highlight of any vacation isn’t the beach, the food, or the overpriced souvenirs… it’s that tail-wagging, zoomie-filled reunion at the front door when they return from the trip.

Here’s how obsessed we are with our dogs:

🐶 42% say coming home to their dog is the best part of the trip
🕐 53 minutes is how long it takes before the average person starts missing their pup
🧠 13 times a day is how often people think about their dog while traveling
📱 19% have asked a pet sitter to put the dog on the phone
📹 17% have FaceTimed their dog
🧳 76% say summer travel plans depend on whether they can find good dog care
😭 22% say missing their dog can ruin their trip
🔮 1 in 5 claim they “always” know what their dog’s going to do before they do it

People also have plenty of vacation anxiety when it comes to their dog.

• 40% of dog owners say they constantly worry about their pup while traveling
• 32% don’t trust anyone else to understand their dog’s quirks
• 34% are afraid their dog won’t get enough love
• And the same number worry their dog won’t get enough walks or playtime

We’re so deep in the dog-parent lifestyle that 40% of us worry more about the dog’s needs than our own. (Only 19% say the reverse, which feels like a lie.)

But here’s the kicker: while we’re focused on belly rubs and ball tosses, only 28% think about giving their dog mental stimulation, and just 29% prioritize socialization. That’s like feeding your kid lunch but never letting them go to recess or read a book.

Moral of the story: If you’re going to leave your dog behind, make sure they’re living their best life too… because odds are, you’re the one who’s going to suffer more.