What to know
- Canada’s fertility rate has remained at a record-low 1.26 children per woman in 2025, while the average age of mothers reached a record 31.9 years, up from 26.7 in 1976.
- For some younger Canadians, pets are increasingly viewed as family. A 2026 Rover survey found 58 per cent of Gen Z and 52 per cent of boomers see their pets as a child, while 11 per cent of millennials say they would rather have a pet than a child.
- The cost of raising children is a major factor. Statistics Canada estimated in 2017 that raising a child from birth to age 17 cost an average of $293,000, roughly $375,000 when adjusted for inflation today, compared with estimated lifetime care costs of about $35,639 for dogs and $43,340 for cats.
- Toronto locals have different reasons for choosing pet or human parenthood. Some say pets offer companionship and commitment without the financial and emotional pressures of raising a child, while others see having a human child as a meaningful experience despite the cost. One local said she hopes to have both eventually, but for now, being a dog parent better suits her lifestyle.
Kids or fur babies? With Canada’s fertility rate at a record low, we asked locals which they’d rather have: a human child or a pet.
According to Statistics Canada, Canada’s fertility rate remained at a record-low 1.26 children per woman in 2025, plus the average age of mothers reached a record 31.9 years, up from 26.7 in 1976.
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With Canada’s low fertility rate plus the country’s high cost of living, are locals opting to be pet parents instead of human parents?
A 2026 Rover survey reveals that younger Canadians are more likely to see their pet as a child – and some only wish to have a pet, sans human child.
According to the survey, 58 per cent of Gen Z compared to 52 per cent of boomers see their pets as a child, and 11 per cent of millennials wish to have a pet rather than a child.
The main reason: finances.
In 2017, Statistics Canada estimated the average cost of raising a child from birth to age 17 to be $293,000, adjusted for inflation, $375,000 today. While the lifetime care cost for dogs is $35,639 and cats $43,340.
So, Now Toronto asked locals whether they wish to be pet parents – or human parents.
‘It feels less of a scary commitment’: This local says she will forever be a dog parent
Toronto resident Brooke T. says, with her dog Noodle in her hands, that she wishes to be a dog parent for life – no human children involved.
“I think it feels more unconditional. They don’t give you attitude,” she told Now Toronto.
“It feels like less of a scary commitment, like I don’t have to raise her to go out into the world and be a good person. That’s scary to me,” Brooke added.
In reaction to Canada’s birth rate, Brooke believes being a pet parent makes more sense.
“It’s costly to have a family now, and I also think with the way our world is going, it’s maybe scary to raise a kid and then just let it go out into the wild and be its own human,” she said.
‘They become their own person’: This local says she would prefer having an actual child
Toronto resident Khara M. says she doesn’t currently own pets, and would rather be a human parent than a pet parent.
“I just think it’s so beautiful, having to take care of someone and bring life into this world,” Khara told Now Toronto. “And babies talk to you back, and they grow up, and they become their own person. It’s just a really cool thing to see.”
Despite wanting a child for herself, Khara says she understands those who wish to only be a pet parent, seeing Canada’s economy.
“Our economy is horrible right now, so it doesn’t surprise me at all… [Pets] may be potentially cheaper, so it’s definitely an option,” she said.
‘Both eventually’: This local says she aspires to be a pet and human child mom
Toronto resident Sarah M. says she would love to be a pet and human parent, but is currently sticking to parenting her dog.
“I think both eventually, but right now I’m a pet parent and I love it, and it’s what suits my lifestyle at the moment,” she told Now Toronto.
Sarah explained that due to the high cost of living and financial burden a child may bring, being a pet parent is more financially feasible for her.
“Having kids is just so expensive. Like I can’t wrap my head around it right now, and I like the freedom of having a dog. Obviously, it’s a commitment, but not like having a baby,” she said.
Sarah emphasized caring for a child is just too expensive these days.
“It’s not feasible anymore with the economy. Everyone has to work. There’s no stay-at-home parents anymore unless one of them makes a lot of money. People can’t afford it,” she explained.
