Signs You’re a Crazy Pet Parent

We spend a lot on our pets. Not just in money, but also in time. Americans reportedly spend ~$2300 annually just on their cats and dogs alone. And that doesn’t even take into account chicken, rabbit, and reptile lovers. But there are more signs you’re a crazy pet parent than spending money on your pet.

While there are plenty of “crazy lady” memes, I use the term crazy a bit more endearing. Additionally, I don’t single out just women, because I’ve found that men can be just as fond of their pets. However, what does “pet parent” even mean?

The term pet parent is considered by some people concerned with the rights of animals to be more acceptable than owner

Collins English Dictionary

But it’s really just someone who looks after and cares for their pet.

Now I’ve broken this up into three sections. And the first set of signs you’re a crazy pet parent that we’re going to examine is the cat lover. Cats are mysterious. And they can be elusive or playful. Maybe you’re guilty of being crazy for cats. Or you know someone who’s heading down that path? Just continue reading to find out.

Signs You’re a Crazy Pet Parent: for Cats

You might be a crazy cat person if you

• hardly go on vacation, because…what would happen to your cats?

• may even read fiction books about cats with your kids

• talk to your cats, and reply to them when they meow

• have more than a couple of cats

• gladly make room for your cat to be comfortable on your bed; BUT if some human tries the same, you push back

• buy your cats presents

• don’t get mad if your cat steps on your laptop keyboard, because she wanted to be near you and get your attention; however, now you just anticipate her and close your laptop to prevent any mess-ups

• sleep with cat food on the nightstand so the kitty knows where it is; cats are creatures of habit, right?

• don’t mind if the cat scratches the furniture

• get them special treats

• have cat themed items

• FaceTime your cat in the event you’re ever away

• celebrate your cat’s birthday

• sing to your cat or make up songs about your cat

• and if your cat takes your chair when you vacate it, it’s ok; you just take another one and move all of your stuff over

The second set of signs you’re a crazy pet parent that we’re going to investigate is the chicken lover. Chicken popularity has been going strong since Covid. So that means more crazy chicken parents. And the newer parents you are, the crazier you are. Trust me, I know. But that doesn’t mean that old chicken parents stop being crazy for their backyard birds. We just share our joys with fellow crazies.

Signs You’re a Crazy Chicken Parent

You might be a crazy chicken person if you

• talk to your chickens

• don’t run the chickens out of the garden even if you’re spouse tells you to

• make special treats for them

• cook oatmeal for your family; and then make extra for your chickens, because they love it

• thank the chickens after they eat the treats

• name all of your chickens

• have chicken t-shirts and wear them proudly

• read chicken blogs

• have chicken themed items in and out of your house

• save food for your birds, and ask others to do so as well

• encourage the rooster; and believe that he actually listens

• are happier seeing and watching your chickens than TV; and they think you’re pretty darn special too

• talk about your chickens to anyone who will listen, but you’re starting to notice their eyes glaze over

• might have even let a weak baby chick sleep in your bed, snuggled in a hand towel

• and when you go outside, your backyard birds flock to you

Finally, the last signs that you’re a crazy pet parent we’re going to consider is the dog lover. Dogs have been man’s best friend since, what seems, the beginning of time. They’re faithful, loving, and trustworthy. What’s not to like?

Signs You’re a Crazy Pet Parent: for Dogs

You might be a crazy dog person if you

• set up play dates with your friends’ dogs

• FaceTime with your dog when you’re ever away

• leave TV or music on for your dog when you’re ever away

• buy your dog toys

• flavor your dog’s food, because they don’t like plain dog food

• take your dog on outings

• let your dog sleep on your bed, even if they take up most of the bed

• spell words out so your dog won’t understand

• don’t mind dog hair on your clothes, furniture, or the occasional fur in your food

• baby-talk to your dog, no matter their age

• love giving your dog belly rubs, and your dog loves it too

• let your dog chew on you, because it’s how they say, “I love you”

• have birthday parties for your dog

• usually don’t go out of town for long, or go far

• ignore anything your dog does that could be construed as bad behavior, because you love your dog; and “they’re such a good dog,” you say in the baby voice

• and if you’ve ever stayed at a non dog-friendly hotel before, you might’ve snuck your dog in. Don’t worry. I won’t tell, if you won’t

There are some common traits all of these pet parents have in common that I have yet to list. Therefore, if you have cats, dogs, and chickens, please keep reading.

You Might be a Crazy Pet Parent if

• On occasion, you’ve been known to spend more on pet food, bedding, litter, etc, than on your own groceries.

• Furthermore, you have more pictures of your pets than your children.

• And you talk more about your pets than your kids. In addition, you’re more animated when you share about your pets.

• Additionally, you post more on social media regarding your pets.

• Also, going out of town for any type of vacation is difficult, because of all of your pets. So you don’t even know what a vacation is anymore. But it’s worth it, because who will love your pets like you do?

• And you admit that the word “fret” is in your vocabulary regarding your pets occasionally.

• Finally, you might be a crazy pet parent if your neighbors are constantly trying to bring you strays.

Conclusion

This concludes the signs you’re a crazy pet parent. And I confess that I’m guilty of 98% of them. But it’s ok, because I love my pets. And if it turns out that you’re a crazy pet parent, it’s perfectly ok. Because, you’re accepted.

Also, I’m going on vacation next week for 10 days. So I might not post. We haven’t had a real vacation in 4 years. But back then we didn’t have the extra cats and our dog that we have now. We had Moses, but he was allowed to come on vacation with us then.

In addition, the place where we’re going now is not pet-friendly. Although, that hardly matters, because Sophie would need tranquilizers to go on vacation. Anyway, this will be the first time that we left Sophie and Poppy for an extended time. So we have some anxiety about that. Therefore, if you think of it, please pray for our pets and neighbors. We have a lot of pets. Over 30, and some chicks that we’ll eventually sell. Thus, it’s a huge responsibility, however we have great neighbors.

Are you a fellow crazy pet parent? Do you struggle with going out of town because of your fur or feather babies? Or do you have awesome neighbors who help you out? Let me know how you handle these issues in a comment. And thanks for taking the time to read this post. Also, if you enjoyed this piece, please like, and follow for more.