Holiday travel is already chaotic enough, but add a dog or cat into the mix, and things go from “mildly stressful” to “why did I think this was a good idea?”
A new survey from Kinship shows just how many people are willingly signing up for that chaos this year. Spoiler: it’s a lot more than you might expect.
As someone who has spent more holiday mornings than I can count packing up pet meds, calming chews, extra blankets, and emergency toys, none of these numbers shocked me. We love our animals, and it shows… especially on our bank accounts and blood pressure.
Most pet parents aren’t leaving their animals behind this year
According to the survey, 54% of pet parents plan to travel with their pets for the holidays. But almost nobody wants to deal with airports — only 3% are flying. The vast majority (51%) are sticking to road trips, which is honestly the only option that doesn’t trigger a full-family meltdown.
Millennials lead the charge at 56%, followed by Gen Z (51%), Gen X (49%), and Boomers (40%).
And then there’s the absolutely wild outlier: Wisconsin.
The survey found 92% of pet parents in Wisconsin plan to travel with their pets, compared to just 18% in Montana. As a Wisconsinite myself, this checks out. People here will take their pets everywhere — breweries, road trips, garden centers… if the animal fits in the car, it’s coming.
Pet travel is not cheap — some states are budgeting nearly $400
Americans are planning to spend an average of $242 on pet travel this holiday season. That includes boarding alternatives, hotel fees, special carriers, and all the little extras you buy “just in case.”
Some groups are opening their wallets wider than others:
Men are budgeting slightly more than women ($277 vs. $271).
But the real jaw-dropper: Pet owners in Maryland are planning to spend $396 on pet travel, while those in Pennsylvania are budgeting $165. That’s a massive difference for the same basic goal — keeping your pet alive and calm until you reach your family’s front door.
The biggest concerns aren’t always financial
Even with the costs, money isn’t the thing stressing pet owners out the most.
Pet anxiety and stress top the list at 23%. After that:
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Finding pet-friendly accommodations (17%)
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Safety during travel (15%)
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How pets behave around strangers (12%)
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Access to a vet in emergencies (10%)
The emotional weight of it all hits hard, too. The number one feeling pet owners report when separated from their animals is guilt (30%), followed by anxiety (23%), sadness (17%), and general stress (12%).
Millennials feel the most guilt (33%), while Boomers report the most sadness (26%).
Holiday pet travel stress is rising — especially among women and younger generations
Between sky-high prices, unpredictable weather, and all the extra planning, it’s no surprise that one in six pet parents feels “extremely stressed” about holiday travel this year. Another 36% describe themselves as “moderately stressed.”
Stress is highest among Millennials and Gen X (16% “very stressed”). Women also report feeling more overwhelmed than men (18% vs. 12%).
Anyone who has ever tried to pack their entire life — plus their pet’s — into the car for a holiday visit knows exactly why.
Now, if you’re gearing up for a trip and want to treat your pets to something special (or just keep them entertained while you’re busy packing), I rounded up some of my favorite pet gifts of the season in my latest guide — it’s full of things my own crew actually uses and loves.