Millions of Aussies skip holidays to stay home with their pets

New research has shown that one in three Aussies won’t go on holiday so they can stay at home with their pets.

Which we totally empathise with, we try to skip work so we can stay with our pets all the time.

The research, which surveyed 1,000 pet owners for pet sitting service TrustedHousesitters, examined the lifestyle impacts pets have on Australian travel habits.

With 5.7 million households owning a pet in Australia (over 13 million people), roughly 4 million people choose to stay at home rather than getting away, due to concerns about their pet’s wellbeing.

Of those that did go on holiday, the majority (69 per cent) said they have felt guilty when leaving their pet behind to travel, while over one-third of Australian pet owners (36 per cent) have turned down a weekend away, citing pet care difficult to arrange.

Additionally, 18 per cent of respondents said they have regularly missed attending social engagements and 16 per cent have left friends and family unvisited in favour of staying at home to ensure their pets are being cared for.

Of those surveyed, 6 per cent have even avoided going on dates, picking their pets over love.

So how do we convince our pet-obsessed nation to take a well deserved holiday?

The answer may lie in the humble house sitter.

When it comes to Australian pet owners who regularly take holidays, 29 per cent opt for a trusted pet sitter versus putting their pet in a kennel or boarding house (21 per cent), while 35 per cent of pet owners will make arrangements for their furry friend to be cared for by friends or family.

A British study of veterinary experts conducted by TrustedHousesitters found that 100 per cent believed animals responded better to a new carer rather than a new environment as animals are particularly bonded to their home.

Now your furry friends are taken care of, time to start planning your next trip!