Latest 2025 Statistics on the Rise of Pet Travel
More travelers are skipping the kennel and booking seats, beds, and beach spots for their four-legged companions. Pet travel has evolved into a full-blown movement, with growing demand shaping how people choose flights and hotels. In 2025, the numbers speak clearly. Here’s a look at the latest pet travel trends turning heads in the travel world.
Over Half Of Pet Owners Now Travel With Their Pets
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A recent report shows that 53% of pet owners plan to take trips with their pets this year. That’s half the traveling population with leashes in tow. The shift is pushing hotels, airlines, and attractions to adapt to this very vocal group.
Hiking Trails Top The Wishlist For Pet Travelers
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When pet owners map out vacations, 42.9% actively seek out destinations with good hiking trails and plenty of fresh air. The preference has also led to a rise in national parks and rural getaways adjusting their policies to better accommodate travelers who bring their pets along.
A Growing Number Prefer Pets Over People On Trips
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When asked who they’d rather travel with, 58% of people picked their pets over friends or family. Pets don’t argue over restaurants or hog the bathroom, and for many, the idea of a stress-free travel buddy that’s always excited to be there makes choosing a pet companion feel like the obvious move.
More Hotels Are Saying Yes To Pets
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About 75% of hotels across luxury, mid-range, and budget categories now welcome pets. Big chains like Red Roof, Best Western, and DoubleTree by Hilton have expanded pet-friendly policies in response to customer demand. For travelers, that translates to fewer compromises when planning overnight stays with animals.
Car Travel Remains The Top Choice For Pet Owners
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Flying has its place, but it’s the car that wins for most pet travelers. Around 64% prefer to hit the road rather than board a plane or rent an RV. The freedom to stop when needed, bring along pet supplies, and skip airport stress makes car travel the obvious winner.
Pet Passengers Are Booking Frequent Flights
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Each year, an estimated 2 million domestic animals fly on commercial airlines in the United States. The figure includes both cabin-approved pets and those traveling in cargo under regulated conditions. Airlines have been slow to expand pet accommodations, but growing numbers like this are prompting policy reviews and updated onboard procedures across several carriers.
Dogs Lead The Way In Global Pet Travel
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Dogs make up 58% of the pets that travel worldwide. They edge out cats, birds, and small mammals by a wide margin. Their sociability and trainability make them the preferred travel companions. That’s one reason dog-specific accommodations and gear are growing steadily in the travel sector.
Pet Travel Frequency Is Hitting New Highs
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More than 30% of surveyed owners plan to take six or more overnight trips with their pets this year. Travel used to be a once-a-year event for most families, but pet parents are upping the pace.
Baby Boomers Are Traveling With Pets The Most
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Owners aged 55–64 are the most likely to bring pets on trips, with 42% in this age range doing so regularly. They’re often retired and show a willingness to adjust travel plans to fit their pets’ needs. Baby Boomers continue to set the tone for multi-day trips and seasonal travel.
Some Owners Get Very Creative About Bringing Pets
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Around 10% of travelers have admitted to sneaking their dogs into hotels or disguising them to avoid restrictions. In more extreme cases, travelers have attempted to pass off pets as service animals or even packed them in luggage.
A Third Of Travelers Skip Trips To Stay With Pets
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Roughly 37% of pet owners have canceled or shortened vacation plans because they couldn’t bring their pets along. This indicates a growing shift in which pet care has a direct influence on how and when people travel. For the industry, that means pet-inclusive options aren’t just appreciated; they’re becoming a requirement.
Many Owners Choose Staycations Over Leaving Pets
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A UK study found that 85% of dog owners would rather vacation locally with their pets than go abroad without them. This sentiment reflects a broader trend in other countries, including the US, where travelers opt for driveable destinations over long-haul flights to avoid leaving their pets behind.
Some People Leave Scented Clothing Behind For Pets
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When forced to leave pets at home, 75% of owners say they leave behind something that smells like them. It’s a small comfort trick meant to ease anxiety in pets, especially dogs, while the owners are away.
Dog-Friendly Beaches And Parks Are In Demand
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Interest in pet-friendly spaces goes beyond hotel listings. Around 15% of travelers say they actively look for dog-friendly beaches, and 27% want to see more dog-welcoming hotels and holiday parks. As these preferences grow, cities and rural areas alike are adjusting their infrastructure to keep up with the demands of pet-inclusive travel.
Some Pets Even Get Postcards And Video Calls
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A surprising number of people maintain contact with their pets while away. Twenty percent have called home just to “talk” to their animals. Approximately 4% have sent a postcard, and 15% plan to make video calls. These habits may seem unusual, but they reflect how seriously many pet owners take the issue of separation.