By Jheruleene Anne Ramos
More Filipino couples are choosing to care for pets instead of having children, a trend that is increasingly becoming the norm, according to the Commission on Population and Development (CPD).
CPD spokesperson Mylin Mirasol Quiray said during the Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon public briefing on March 24 that fur parenting has gained popularity in recent years.
This shift is evident in malls, where pet strollers are replacing baby strollers, and in the rise of pet-friendly events such as fun runs for owners and their pets.
A 2024 study by Kantar Philippines supports CPD’s findings, revealing that 94 per cent of Filipino households own a pet – the highest rate in Southeast Asia, as cited by Spot.ph.
Meanwhile, data from Mars Incorporated shows that 68 percent of Filipino households own dogs, with medium-sized breeds like Shih Tzus being the most popular.
Economic woes and declining fertility rate drive the shift
Quiray attributes the rise in fur parenting to economic concerns, as many couples prioritise financial stability amid rising inflation, delaying family planning and finding pet ownership a more appealing alternative.
“Many Filipino couples prefer raising pets over having children due to economic reasons,” she said in Filipino, as quoted by the Philippine Star.
“Couples now prioritise securing their economic situation before considering having children. That’s why this trend is becoming more common,” she added.
Beyond financial concerns, the country’s fertility rate has also declined significantly, dropping to 1.9 children per woman – below the replacement level of 2.1.
She credited this significant decline to improved family planning and greater access to contraceptives, with pills and injectables being widely used methods.
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The COVID-19 pandemic’s role in the rise of fur parenting
The preference for pets over children became more pronounced in 2021, a year after the COVID-19 pandemic, as an iPrice Group study found that Filipinos had the highest interest in pet ownership in Southeast Asia during that period.
Psychologist Dr. Karen Sacdalan told INQUIRER.net that the lockdowns in 2020 and 2021 drastically changed people’s lifestyles, leading many to seek comfort in pets.
“There is really human-animal interaction, and it has impacts on our psyche, the total package of our human experience, especially because it gives pleasure.
“It invites a sense of satisfaction when we have an animal companion,” she said.
Fur parenting also has health benefits, as research shows that caring for an animal improves cardiovascular health by lowering blood pressure and stabilising heart rates.
Moreover, animals stimulate the production of endorphins and dopamine, hormones that relieve pain, reduce stress, and enhance well-being.
A lifelong commitment
Despite the benefits of fur parenting, Bureau of Animal Industry welfare officer Dr. Verna Agriam reminded the public that pet ownership is a lifelong responsibility.
Agriam emphasised that individuals must assess whether they can handle the responsibilities of fur parenting and sustain their pets’ essential needs in the long run.
Her reminder comes as data revealed that in 2023, about 90 percent of stray dogs and cats in the Philippines were previously owned but later abandoned, as cited by Cebu Daily News.
As of 2024, the Philippine Animal Welfare Society estimates that there are 12 million stray dogs in the country, while a single female cat can produce a feral colony of up to 30 cats in one year.
Given these concerns, animal rights groups and advocates stressed the need for responsible pet ownership and stronger laws to protect animals from neglect and abuse.
As more Filipinos choose fur parenting over traditional parenthood, experts stress that caring for pets requires sacrifices and long-term commitment, as they are living beings dependent on their owners and not disposable like toys or trends.
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Ren Azrack Escosio 
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