Dog social life beats owners’ friends, pet parents say

Our dogs are like the popular kids at school! A 2025 survey by Camp Bow Wow asked 2,000 dog owners (25 and older) about their dogs’ social life. Guess what? 73% said their dog has at least one dog friend, and 27% said their pup has three or more buddies. That’s a pretty active dog social life! About 37% of dogs hang out with their pals every week, and 14% meet up a few times a week at places like dog parks or pet events.

Erin, an expert at Camp Bow Wow, says, “Dogs love hanging out with other dogs. It makes them happy and keeps them healthy, and it makes us smile too!” A good dog social life is a big win for our furry friends.

Dog Social Life StatsPercentage
Dogs with 1+ friend73%
Dogs with 3+ friends27%
Weekly dog meetups37%
Multiple weekly meetups14%

Why Dogs Are Social Superstars

Dogs are awesome at making friends. They wag their tails, give a sniff, and boom—they’re besties! Their dog social life is easy because they don’t overthink things like we do. They meet pals at the dog park, on walks, or at fun pet events. These hangouts keep their dog social life buzzing with excitement.

Unlike us, dogs don’t need fancy plans to connect. They just run around, play, and have a blast. That’s why their dog social life is so strong—they’re always ready to make a new friend.

The Loneliness Epidemic Among Humans

While dogs are living their best dog social life, a lot of us are feeling lonely. A big report from the U.S. Surgeon General says almost half of Americans feel alone sometimes. Loneliness can even make us sick—it’s as bad as smoking a lot of cigarettes!

Why are we lonely? People have fewer friends now, we don’t hang out in person as much, and more of us live alone (almost 30% of homes have just one person, up from 13% way back in 1960). We spend way less time with friends—20 hours less a month than we did 20 years ago.

Loneliness FactsDetails
Americans feeling lonelyNearly 50%
Risk of early death26-29% higher if lonely
Single-person homes30% (up from 13% in 1960)
Time spent with friendsDown 20 hours/month since 2003

Generational Gaps: Who Feels the Loneliest?

Younger people feel like their dogs have a better dog social life than they do. The survey says 81% of Gen Z (the youngest group) and 71% of Millennials think their dog’s social life beats theirs. Older folks, like Baby Boomers (45%) and the Silent Generation (23%), don’t feel this way as much. They might have more friends or just feel okay with less socializing.

Young people are super busy, and phones can make it harder to connect in real life. But taking your dog out can help! Chatting with other dog owners at the park can boost your dog social life and yours too.

Who Thinks Dogs Are More Social?Percentage
Gen Z81%
Millennials71%
Baby Boomers45%
Silent Generation23%

Why Dogs’ Social Lives Matter

A good dog social life isn’t just fun—it’s important. Playing with other dogs keeps them happy, calm, and out of trouble. It’s like how we feel better after hanging out with friends. Plus, when our dogs have a great dog social life, it makes us happy too!

Dog meetups can also help us make friends. When you take your dog to the park or a pet event, you can chat with other owners. It’s a fun way to grow your dog social life and maybe even your own.

How to Boost Your Social Life, Dog-Style

Want to have as much fun as your dog’s social life? Here’s how to copy your pup and make friends:

  • Go to Dog Parks: Let your dog play while you talk to other owners.
  • Try Pet Events: Check out dog festivals or classes to meet people.
  • Plan Playdates: Invite another dog owner over for a doggy hangout.
  • Visit Pet-Friendly Spots: Cafes and shops that allow dogs are great for meeting people.
  • Find Online Groups: Look for local dog groups on apps like Meetup to join fun outings.

These ideas can help you and your dog share an awesome dog social life.

Ways to Boost Your Social LifeWhat to Do
Dog ParksChat with owners while dogs play
Pet EventsJoin festivals or training classes
PlaydatesInvite another dog for a hangout
Pet-Friendly SpotsVisit dog-friendly cafes or stores
Online GroupsFind local dog meetups online

The Role of Pets in Combating Loneliness

Dogs are like our best buddies. They love us no matter what, and that helps when we’re feeling alone. Taking your dog for a walk can lead to chats with neighbors, which is great for your dog social life and yours. Dogs also give us something to do every day, like feeding or walking them, which makes us feel needed.

The survey shows dogs aren’t just pets—they help us connect with people. A quick chat at the park or a dog event can turn into new friendships, making their dog’s social life a big help for us too.

The Future of Social Connection: Learning from Dogs

Dogs teach us that making friends doesn’t have to be hard. They just run up, wag their tails, and play. We can do that too—maybe not the tail part, but you get it! Try small things like saying hi during a dog walk or meeting up with friends for coffee. Your dog’s social life shows us how to have fun and connect.

We also need more places to hang out, like community events or dog parks, to help everyone feel less lonely. Until then, dogs are leading the way with their awesome dog social life.

Conclusion: Embrace Your Inner Social Pup

The 2025 Camp Bow Wow survey shows our dogs are rocking their dog social life—63% of us think they’re more social than we are! While they’re making friends, we’re dealing with loneliness. But we can learn from our pups. Take them to the park, plan a playdate, or just chat with someone while walking your dog. Their dog’s social life can inspire us to make friends and feel happier. So, grab that leash and let your dog show you how to live your best social life!

Author

  • Adarsh

    👋 Hi, I’m Adarsh, Writer & Founder of this blog with 10+ years of experience in pet care. 🐶 I work with Miko Pat, a trusted expert in dog and cat care, to share practical and reliable advice. 🐾 Together, we help pet parents raise happy, healthy furry companions every day!

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