Half of parents (52%) get a pup to fill the empty nest
London, 20th August 2025: As another wave of teenagers prepare to flee the nest to university, new research from Rover.com reveals that over half (52%) of parents have welcomed a dog to help fill the emotional gap left by their child growing up.
Swapping kids for canines, more than half of parents said they missed feeling needed (58%) and having someone to care for (64%), with 40% confessing to feeling lonely when their child started to become more independent. Of those whose kids have fled the nest, one in 10 (11%) waited six months after their child moved out before getting a pup, whilst a fifth (20%) waited less than one month.
Interestingly, more than half (54%) say they didn’t expect to struggle as much as they did when their child started becoming more independent. However, it seems dogs truly give us a new ‘leash on life’, with 54% admitting they don’t know how they would have coped without their beloved pup, citing the daily affection (61%), purposeful routines (48%) and unconditional love (48%) that helped them most through this life transition. In fact, 87% say they now see their pooch as another one of their children.
What’s more, 66% say their new pup helped ease the feeling of no longer being needed by their child, and a whopping 82% said they actually receive more love and affection in return. And proving its puppy love, the majority (87%) say they now consider their dog a fully-fledged member of the family, with over three quarters (78%) even celebrating their pups’ ‘gotcha day’.
The Top 10 Dog Breeds for Empty Nesters
- Labrador (9%)
- Golden Retriever (8%)
- Cocker Spaniel (8%)
- Cockapoo (6%)
- French Bulldog (6%)
- Border Collie (6%)
- Staffordshire Bull Terrier (5%)
- Yorkshire Terrier (5%)
- Daschund (5%)
- German Shepherd (4%)
But while mums and dads are turning their attention to their pups, it’s clear the family dog remains the true apple of everyone’s eye. In fact, 44% of parents admit their grown-up children miss the dog the most – repeatedly asking for updates (71%) and photos (44%) of their four-legged friend. What’s more, a third (33%) of parents say they have to schedule regular FaceTime calls just so the kids can see the dog.
Taking it one step further, 12% say their child even cried when moving out because they didn’t want to leave the dog behind. Meanwhile, 70% took a framed photo of their dog with them as a keepsake, while others pocketed their dog’s collar tag (30%), and even a mug with their furry friend’s face on it (22%).
Rover’s Canine Behaviourist Expert, Adem Fehmi, comments: “Welcoming a dog after adult children leave home can be deeply rewarding, providing companionship, purpose, and opportunities to meet new people. Dogs help establish daily routines, but it’s vital to be fully prepared for the responsibilities and complex needs of dog ownership.”
“Bringing a puppy into the home can feel like returning to the “baby” stage. However, while this may be appealing, it’s important to ensure it’s a deliberate lifestyle choice, not just an emotional reaction. Carefully consider your readiness, research breeds and individual dogs, and choose one that suits your lifestyle, energy levels, and goals.”
“If you already have a dog, anticipate how changes in routines might affect them, especially if they have behavioural challenges like separation anxiety. Introduce new routines gradually, keep familiar items that smell like your adult children – such as clothes or personal belongings – to provide comfort, and maintain contact through phone or video calls to help your dog adjust. If needed, seek guidance from an accredited behaviourist to help ease the transition.”
ENDS
Notes to Editors
A Rover survey of 1,000 UK dog parents conducted via Pollfish in August 2025.
About Rover:
Founded in 2011 and operating in 16 countries, Rover® is the world’s largest online marketplace for loving pet care. Rover connects dog and cat owners with loving pet care whenever they need it. Millions of services have been booked on Rover, including pet sitting, dog walking, in-home boarding, drop-in visits, and doggy day care. To learn more about Rover, please visit https://www.rover.com/uk/ or see our press room here: https://www.rover.com/uk/blog/press/
For more information, please contact:
rover@brands2life.com / 020 7592 1200