[jsphweid]

I've always wondered, what fraction of the decline could be attributed to indoor pet dogs?

Ok, this is half humorous and half serious. But I'd wager that the answer is non-zero.

This is all just anecdotal, obviously, but I think childless humans with pet indoor dogs could have less of a desire to procreate for various reasons, but perhaps mainly because the instinctual thirst to care for a living thing is quinched to some extent when you have a pet indoor dog.

Obviously not every or most or even many. But perhaps _some_.

[lnsru]

Dog as child replacement fits too well for many western couples. There is very light care aspect included. Even bad illnesses happen and one must go to vet. With a dog you don’t need to do homework for two hours after hard workday. Nor plan children birthdays or vacations. Nor read primitive children books for hours on weekend. It’s perfect substitute without much effort.

Children are long term gain, first decade is rather hard. Teaching and training every day, hour, minute. If one wants to do it right.

On other hand dog might be better that a child hooked to a smartphone from an age of 2 years.

[dnel]

I had a dog, then kids and now just got a puppy and I think there is perhaps some truth to it, dogs are certainly much much lower effort/stress/cost but provide a good amount of companionship. It wasn't enough for us, obviously, but we also have minimal family connections outside our household, for others the equation may add up that a dog/cat is enough and if it was then all the power to you.

[landosaari]

In South Korea pet strollers outsold child ones [0].

DINKWAD (Dual income, no kids, with a dog) is rising [1]. Hospitality is changing to accommodate this [2].

[0] https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/lifestyle/trends/20231226/sales...

[1] https://www.thehistoryofenglish.com/dinkwad-meaning-origin-u...

[2] https://rochsociety.com/rise-of-the-dinkwads/

[mdeeks]

Not sure why you are being downvoted. It's an interesting thought.

I will add that us having children completely erased the desire to get a dog. We almost got one just before our first born. Now we can't imagine. I think it's a combination of what you're suggesting, and also because a dog requires a lot of time we just don't have now.