As the U.S. reaches record levels of pet ownership, a new study warns that the modern “fur baby” trend may be creating an unintended safety crisis. With 72% of U.S. households (94 million homes) owning pets and an estimated 99 million dogs living in American households, researchers say that changing owner behavior, especially among Millennials and Gen Z, may be worsening dog anxiety and increasing the risk of aggression and bites.
The report by Omega Law Group finds that younger generations are reshaping dog ownership through social media-driven “pet parenting” and a surge in pampering behaviors, often emphasizing constant closeness over structure. While these behaviors are usually well-intentioned, the study argues they may undermine dogs’ resilience and social development.
Millennials now represent the largest group of pet owners, accounting for 30% of pet-owning households (28.2 million homes), while Gen Z represents 20% (18.8 million homes) and is rising quickly. The study highlights that these two generations, more than any other, shape cultural norms around dogs due to their heavy engagement online. Dog content is embedded in everyday digital life, with #dog appearing in 260+ million Instagram posts and 43+ million TikTok posts.
The report notes that rising pet “babying” is measurable in consumer behavior. Search interest in dog accessories has stabilized at 100,000+ searches per month in 2025, while dog clothes and shoes remain above 27,000 monthly searches. Dog strollers represent one of the most dramatic shifts, spiking from 90,000 searches in late 2021 to 578,000 in 2022, and remaining above 40,500 monthly searches in 2025.
The study argues that constant carrying, soothing, and overprotection can limit a dog’s exposure to normal stressors and social experiences, increasing the likelihood of separation anxiety, reactivity, and fear-based aggression. “Dogs need affection—but they also need boundaries, independence, and structured learning,” the report states.
One of the most striking data points cited comes from the Dog Aging Project, referenced through Texas A&M’s College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences: 99.12% of dogs studied displayed at least one behavioral issue, based on 43,517 dogs. While “behavioral issue” can include mild concerns, the study warns that the scale suggests an enormous national burden of anxiety-related behaviors that may worsen without training and intervention.
When behavior escalates, the health costs are substantial. In the United States, dogs bite more than 4.5 million people annually. About 885,000 of those incidents require medical treatment, and 370,000 are severe enough to require emergency department care. The study emphasizes that children are disproportionately affected: kids ages 5–9 are the most frequent victims, followed by adults ages 25–54 who interact with dogs most often as owners and caregivers.
The report also breaks down injury patterns. Nearly 47.3% of bite injuries affect the arm and hand, reflecting bites that occur during petting, reaching, and hands-on interactions. Injuries to the head and neck (28.8%) are particularly common among children due to their height and close face-to-face contact. Lacerations (31.6%) and puncture wounds (27.7%) are among the most common serious injury types.
The financial consequences reach beyond medical care. The study cites that homeowners’ insurers paid an estimated $1.56 billion in dog-related claims in 2024 alone, with national losses commonly estimated at $1–2 billion annually. Claims are concentrated in a handful of states, with California, Florida, and Texas among the leaders.
The study concludes that prevention is both possible and urgent. It recommends early, positive socialization; daily obedience practice; appropriate exercise and enrichment; teaching owners to recognize stress signals like rigidity, “whale eye,” and avoidance; and safely building a dog’s tolerance for being alone. The report also calls for greater public education on dog behavior, especially for households with children.
