Dog Bite Claims Top $1.56 Billion as “Fur Baby” Culture Grows

U.S. dog ownership is at historic highs, and the financial fallout of dog-related injuries is rising with it. A new study examining modern pet parenting trends finds that Millennials and Gen Z are reshaping dog ownership through unprecedented spending, social media influence, and “fur baby” behaviors, and warns that worsening dog anxiety and reactivity may be contributing to costly bite incidents and legal disputes nationwide.

According to the study by Omega Law Group, 94 million U.S. households (72%) have a pet. Among those, 68 million homes have dogs, averaging 1.46 dogs per household—an estimated 99 million dogs across the country. As ownership expands, the insurance and legal consequences are becoming increasingly visible: homeowners’ insurance companies paid an estimated $1.56 billion across 22,658 dog-related claims in 2024, and national losses from dog attacks are commonly estimated at $1–2 billion annually.

The report connects that rising burden to shifting cultural norms. Millennials are now the largest group of pet owners, accounting for 30% of pet-owning households (28.2 million homes). Gen Z makes up 20% (18.8 million homes) and continues to grow as the generation ages into stable housing. These groups are particularly influential due to their online behavior: the hashtag #dog appears in more than 260 million Instagram posts and over 43 million TikTok posts, reinforcing pet parenting as a lifestyle identity.

The trend is reflected in spending. U.S. pet spending reached $152 billion in 2024 and is projected to hit $157 billion by the end of 2025. While the average pet owner spends about $1,163 per year, the report cites higher spending among younger owners: Gen Z ($1,885) and Millennials ($1,195). The study also points to consumer indicators of “pet babying,” including sustained search demand for dog accessories (100,000+ monthly searches in 2025), dog clothes and shoes (27,000+ monthly searches), and dog strollers (40,500+ monthly searches in 2025 after peaking in 2022).

While pampering is not inherently harmful, the study argues that “affection without boundaries” can undermine canine independence and social stability, increasing the likelihood of separation anxiety, fear-based reactions, and aggression. The report cites Dog Aging Project findings referenced by Texas A&M’s veterinary program, showing 99.12% of dogs displayed at least one behavioral issue in a dataset of 43,517 dogs. Behavioral issues can range from mild to severe, but the report notes that widespread anxiety and reactivity can increase the likelihood of bite risk when dogs are overstimulated, poorly socialized, or not trained to tolerate stress.

The public health stakes are significant. The study cites national figures estimating that dogs bite more than 4.5 million people each year, with 885,000 requiring medical treatment and 370,000 requiring emergency care. Children ages 5–9 are the most frequent victims, followed by adults ages 25–54, reflecting high interaction rates in households and public spaces.

The report also highlights where claims are concentrated. California leads the nation in dog bite-related claims, followed by Florida and Texas, with Michigan and Pennsylvania also ranking among the top five states, patterns consistent with population size, urban density, and dog ownership prevalence.

Beyond insurance costs, the study argues that today’s legal framework is strained by modern pet culture. Pets are still classified as property under U.S. law, which can limit victim recovery and fail to reflect the emotional and economic realities of severe attacks. The report notes that some legal experts have proposed a middle-ground classification recognizing pets as sentient companions without equating them to full legal personhood.

The study concludes with prevention measures that benefit both public safety and risk reduction: consistent training routines, early socialization, structured independence-building to prevent overattachment, owner education on stress signals, and careful supervision around children. “Better behavior isn’t about loving dogs less,” the report states. “It’s about giving dogs what they need—structure, resilience, and clear boundaries—so they can safely thrive in modern households.”