Inflation is pinching American consumers — but they still splurge on their pets

Thomas Guzowski greets his dogs, 13-year-old Mali and 15-year-old Yaretzi, as they climb onto the bed. Julie Leopo for NPR

Like many Americans, Thomas Guzowski and his wife, Eloísa López, are doing all they can to cut down on their spending as they struggle with inflation.

They even relocated this year to Redlands, Calif., from Los Angeles to decrease their cost of living. But there’s one part of their budget they won’t compromise on: care for Mali, their 13-year-old shih tzu, and Yaretzi, their 15-year-old terrier poodle mix.

“It’s over $200 a month for his eye drops,” Guzowski says. “I kind of almost feel embarrassed to say it out loud, because I know that not everyone shares the same values. But it’s what we do, you know. I just work the hours to make sure his eye is OK.”

Guzowski and López are not alone in stretching their household budget for their pets. Many other pet parents have similar mindsets, in which they will make big sacrifices to their own personal expenses while refusing to do the same for their furry companions.

The Pew Research Center found that 97% of pet owners consider their animals to be part of their family. Pete Scott, president of the American Pet Products Association, says that the bond drives owners to splurge on their pets, even when money’s tight.

“It makes people feel good,” Scott says. “Ultimately I think it’s more psychological than rational financial behavior.”