The pets have become a fundamental part of homes and families in the countryTherefore, according to the study carried out by GfK Pet Ownership, Mexico is one of the most “pet lovers” worldwide, demonstrating the importance and respect that the furry ones represent for Mexicans, especially for the younger generations. While this trend of having dogs or cats continues to rise, Another behavioral change has begun to take hold for millennials and centennials around the world: They don’t want to have children..
Only in data from the country, the Civil Registry reports that there is a 22.1% decrease in births, a number never seen before and that is expected to continue to decline. Among many economic, academic and environmental reasons, young people do not want to be “traditional” parents due to the enormous efforts that this represents, opting to adopt dogs, cats or other pets to provide them with a life of love and luxury as a new trend.
Why millennials and GenZ prefer to have pets
This trend will only increase, because in the face of a discouraging socioeconomic environment, young people prefer to adapt to a pet that accompanies them without the need to invest as much time as it requires to be responsible for a human life. Some of the reasons thousands of people choose to have pets include:
- Require less time to care
- They provide unconditional love
- Economic investment is more bearable in an unstable economy
- Help fight depression and anxiety
- Reduce the feeling of loneliness
- They help to have a better mood and physical condition
- They give a sense of responsibility
Faced with an exponential growth in pet ownership, Mexicans have also become more aware, responsible and respectful in caring for their animals. Recognizing that they have complex needs that require specialized care performed by experts and that having a pet is not only limited to providing food and a place to sleep.
New business models
These new needs have led to the emergence of companies focused on the care of pets, generate new services focused on the holistic well-being of the “furry ones”, such as a spa for dogs; relaxing massages with essential oils, products for less traditional pets such as horses, minipigs or ferrets; bereavement therapies for the loss of pets, and even bowl meditation to help dogs and cats with stress, depression, behavioral or anxiety problems, all with the aim of completely transforming the veterinary industry, focusing on the well-being of animals and adapting to the new trends that millennials and their pets require.
Far from being a hasty or “selfish” decision, millennials and centennials have created new paths that are more tailored to their individual needs in a world in constant change, opting for new practices that do not replace motherhood and fatherhood, but that will provide them with company and love through a pet with a purpose that they can help keep healthy, happy and emotionally stable.
Alexandra Carmona Alejandra Carmona, specialist in the care of pets. A few years ago, she decided to share her knowledge in animal welfare through her venture, Naturale Mascota, to promote care and a dignified life for pets.