Remember the “before times,” when having plans actually meant leaving the house?
Turns out, a lot of those nights out never stood a chance, especially if there was a dog waiting at home giving you that look‘According to a survey, three out of four dog owners admit they have bailed on plans at the last minute just so they could stay home with their pup. Not because they were sick. Not because they were tired. Just because the couch, the dog, and the idea of not putting on real pants sounded way better.
Cat owners are not totally innocent here either. About one in three people with cats say they have also canceled plans to hang out with their feline. Although, let’s be honest, the reaction was probably very different. Dogs were thrilled. Cats were likely annoyed that their perfectly planned night of ignoring you was suddenly ruined.
The survey also found that pet ownership has quietly turned into a full-blown lifestyle. The average dog owner has 1.7 dogs, while the average cat owner has 1.9 cats.
Which means a lot of people crossed the line from “I have a pet” into “this is now a household with a system.”
That might also explain another big takeaway from the survey, where pets actually sleep. The most common answer was not a dog bed. Not a crate. Not even the floor. It is the bed. Your bed. Right between you and any hope of personal space.
For many pet owners, especially dog people, staying home is not a backup plan anymore. It’s the preferred option. A night in with your dog means no small talk, no waiting for the check, and no pretending you’re having fun when you would rather be home anyway.
Your dog is always excited to see you, never asks where you want to eat, and thinks every evening is the best night ever. Cats, of course, are a little different.
Choosing to stay home with a cat is more of a gamble. You might get cuddles. You might get judgment. You might just get two forearms full of lacerations.
Still, the numbers do not lie. Whether it’s dogs wagging their tails or cats silently questioning your existence, a huge chunk of people are perfectly happy canceling plans to be home with their pets. And honestly, that sounds like a pretty great excuse to us.