We surveyed more than 1,200 pet owners to better understand the human–pet relationship.¹ The results are clear: while nearly half (47%) of pet owners see their pets as children, cat owners are far less likely than dog owners to have financial savings or protection, like pet insurance, in place for emergencies. Our latest survey breaks down the realities — and raises the question: is it time for cat owners to get real about the cost of care?

Key findings 

• 47% of pet owners consider themselves to be their pet’s parent –– “Mom” or “Dad.” 

• Yet 21% of cat owners have no financial plan in place to pay for unexpected pet emergencies. 

• Nearly 20% of dog owners have enrolled in pet insurance to help financially prepare them for their pet’s veterinary care, compared to just 7% of cat owners.

Pet Parents Vs. Caregivers and Roommates

Pets bring us joy, teach us new ways to look at the world, and even improve our mental health. At Pumpkin, many of the pet owners we speak to every day refer to their pet as their son, daughter, or child, while others lovingly refer to them as “trouble.” In this survey, we wanted to uncover how deep the bond truly is and determine if there are any differences between cat and dog owners. 

Our research looked at a variety of respondents across different backgrounds. This includes pet owners ranging in age from 18-75+ with varying income levels, household types (people with and without human children), and locations within the United States. Our first question examined the roles we play in our pets’ lives, and the findings were clear. 

• 47% of pet owners believe they are their pet's parent –– “Mom” or “Dad.” 

• 30% believe they are their pet’s “caregiver” or “best friend.” 

• 19% see themselves as their pet’s “owner.” 

Of the survey respondents who chose “caregiver,” a larger percentage were cat owners. Additionally, a small percentage of respondents defined their role as “roommate” to their pet.  Not surprisingly, a majority of these people owned a cat. We get it, sometimes it feels like it’s your cat’s house –– and you’re just living in it. Nonetheless, you care deeply about them (even when they take over every inch of your personal space).

A Clear Gap in Financial Preparedness for Cat Owners

It’s clear from the data that whether pet owners consider themselves to be “Moms,” “Dads,” “Caregivers,” or "Roommates" –– all show a great deal of concern for their pets that goes beyond keeping them fed and watered. The cost of vet care is one of the biggest worries among pet owners today, with more than half considering economic euthanasia due to steep vet bills. 

There are options like pet insurance, pet health savings plans, and budgeting tools that can help prepare families for the cost of caring for their animals. But how many pet owners are actively participating in financial planning to help protect their pets? Here’s what we learned.

Pet Insurance:

• Dog owners are way ahead of their cat owner counterparts, with 19% currently enrolled in pet insurance.

• By contrast, only 7% of cat owners are currently enrolled in pet insurance. 

• When it comes to multi-pet households, 21% of pet owners with at least one cat and one dog at home are currently insured. 

Other financial planning:

• 60% of cat owners are using some financial planning method, like a budgeting tool, health savings plan, credit card, or pet insurance.

• Yet 21% of cat owners have no financial plan or product to help them with overall pet care expenses. 

• The remaining 19% plan to rely on friends or family in the case of an emergency.

We know that cat owners care for their pets just as much as dog owners do. Yet, families with dogs are more likely to have financial safety nets and tools to protect their pets than families with cats. In a recent AVMA pet owner survey, there were over 89.7 million dogs and 73.8 million cats in the U.S.. Of those NAPHIA reports only 2.04% of cats and 5.46% of dog are insured. In Pumpkin’s survey of 1200 pet owners, there was still a clear gap between insured cats and dogs. Interestingly, the gulf was even greater with a nearly 3x higher rate of dogs enrolled in a pet insurance plan. 

A 2025 Synchrony study found that the average lifetime cost of caring for a cat has ballooned to $47,106 in the last three years – where most cat owners estimate it will only cost $5,735. A large number of dog owners also underestimated the cost of caring for a dog in this study. With this shocking disparity between perception and reality, it’s understandable why most pet owners are not as financially prepared to care for their pets as parents of human children. 

Cat Owners Can Better Prepare for Unexpected Vet Bills with Pet Insurance

Is pet insurance worth it for your cat? We think so, but the proof is in the real success stories of other pet owners like you: 

“Winter was diagnosed with Hyperthyroidism earlier this year after thousands of dollars in bloodwork. Having Winter covered by Pumpkin insurance made her diagnosis and treatment possible. Without Pumpkin, Winter's treatment may not have happened, reducing years off of her life. I will forever advocate not only for Pumpkin Pet Insurance, but for pet insurance in general.” – Winter’s Mom²

“It is heartbreaking when you have to make difficult decisions on care for your pet based on what you can afford at that time. Having Pumpkin insurance has alleviated that stress and gives me the ability to get the care for my pet when he needs it.“ – Astro’s Mom²

“Abraxas stopped eating and was acting very unusually. I immediately knew something was up and didn't waste a minute before taking him to the vet. Ever since enrolling in Pumpkin, I’ve never debated whether or not a trip to the vet was worth it, and Abraxas has consistently received the best care. – Abraxas’ Dad²

With the right pet insurance, you can focus on getting the best care when your pet is sick or hurt –– not how much it will cost you. That’s why Pumpkin is the only pet insurance provider to offer PumpkinNow,³ an urgent pay service that can pay you before you pay the vet for eligible critical care. PumpkinNow has already paid over $5 million in urgent and emergency claims to families this year, helping thousands of cats and dogs get life-changing treatment.

While many pet owners regret not having insurance when health scares happen, you’d be hard pressed to find a pet owner who regrets having it after using it. So don’t wait –– be prepared to give your pet the care they deserve with a Pumpkin Pet Insurance plan. Get a free quote today. 

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1. Pumpkin, via the survey platform Ideally, surveyed 1,276 U.S. residents aged 18 to 75+ in July 2025, all of whom owned a dog or cat.

2. Testimonials provided by Pumpkin members. The views and opinions expressed in this testimonial are solely those of the individual providing the recommendation. Coverage options, policy terms, and customer experiences may vary based on personal circumstances and the specific insurance provider's policies.

3. Qualified customers with eligible claims for treatments $1k or more could be paid in 15 minutes after submitting a request if their bank accepts real-time payments. For full terms & conditions, visit www.pumpkin.care/pn-terms.