Why are we spending so much money on our pets? It’s complicated

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They have their own beaches. Their own parks. They can come with you to dinner and even to the spa. You can pay a little extra for some of them to sit with you on an airplane.

We’re not talking about your infant. We’re talking about your fur baby.

We spend more on our pets these days — a projected $60.5 billion in the United States this year — than ever before, from outfits to organic kibble to matching diamond-studded collars and bracelets. Our dogs and cats have always made us feel good about ourselves and played a role in our family — that much hasn’t changed. They’re happy, cuddly friends that doesn’t care when you vent about a bad day at work, as long as you pet them and fill their bowl with food.

But at what point did Fido move out of the doghouse in the back yard and claim an expensive Tempur-Pedic bed that matches the decor of the master bedroom?

Read more here.