By: Claire Zhou

Pets are a huge part of many households and lives. According to the American Pet Products Association, about two thirds of American homes have at least one pet, with Americans spending a total of more than $100 billion on their pets in 2021 and 2022.

However, animal welfare ethicists and veterinarians have recently brought up the thought of us possibly going too far in taking care of our pets. We’re treating pets more and more like people, and the more we continue doing this, the more likely it is for our pets to develop health and behavior issues.

James Serpell, an emeritus professor of ethics and animal welfare at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine said, “We now view pets not only as family members but as equivalent to children. The problem is, dogs and cats are not children, and owners have become increasingly protective and restrictive. So animals are not able to express their own doggy and catty natures as freely as they might.”

Health risks that happen within our pets are mostly from breeding. For example, the French Bulldog, a popular dog breed in the U.S. and a member of the brachycephalic family, flat-faced dogs, are wonderful and loving dogs. However, because of their flat face, they can have trouble breathing and other possible health problems.

We’re also changing the lifestyle of many animals with their surroundings. In the 1970s, cats and dogs roamed, unleashed, outdoors. Now, the majority of pets spend their lives indoors, without ever seeing the sight of grass.

As time has passed, more human places are now allowing dogs to enter, too — offices, stores, restaurants, hotels, and even parks with specific places for dogs to run. Pets have the eye of everyone and are getting humanized more than ever.