In Buenos Aires, Argentina, the affection for pets, particularly dogs, has reached an unprecedented level, as evidenced by a recent birthday celebration for a mixed-breed dog named Venus. Surrounded by candles on her mini birthday cake, Venus could not blow them out, prompting her owner to extinguish the flames and serve her a bite of meat-flavored cake. Victoria Font, the cake's creator and founder of Barto Cafe—an establishment dedicated to canine treats—refers to Venus as her "daughter."
This fascination with pet pampering reflects a broader trend in Buenos Aires, where nearly 80% of households have pets, according to recent public opinion surveys. This statistic positions the city well above the average U.S. city, where pet ownership typically spans around 60%. As Argentines increasingly choose to remain childless amid economic instability, dogs have become preferred companions. Government statistics indicate that Buenos Aires is home to over 493,600 dogs, compared to just 460,600 children under 14 years old.
Many pet owners in the city have adopted a parental mindset towards their animals, considering them as part of the family. Magalí Maisonnave, a stylist aged 34, expresses this sentiment, describing her dachshund, Sandro, as her source of joy. She frequently dresses him in the jersey of her favorite soccer team, River Plate, and takes him to games, declaring herself his "mama."
The rise in dog ownership coincides with a decline in human fertility rates in Argentina. In 2023, the country's birth rate was reported to be 6.5% lower than in the previous year, with a staggering 41% drop compared to a decade ago, leading to struggles for kindergartens to fill classrooms. As financial constraints limit the ability to make significant purchases, the middle and upper classes are diverting their spending to their pets. With a rise in unemployment and falling wages, dogs are increasingly viewed as beloved family members.
Psychologist Dr. Marcos Díaz Videla notes that this redefinition of family dynamics fuels a trend of humanizing pets, changing city landscapes with the emergence of pet hotels, boutiques, cafes, and even cemeteries catering to pets. Luxurious services have become commonplace, with pet grooming salons offering extravagant packages that can cost up to $120—around a quarter of the average Argentine monthly salary—for treatments such as baths, cuts, and perfuming.
Interestingly, this shift in perception has led to the birth of the term "perrhijo," a blend of the Spanish words for dog (perro) and child (hijo). Legislative efforts in Buenos Aires are also responding to this pet-centric culture, with proposals to enhance pet access to public transport and to establish a registry for dog walkers requiring certification and training.
On the political front, the phenomenon of pet ownership raises questions about societal norms in Argentina. Clara Muzzio, the city’s conservative deputy mayor, expressed concern about the implications of preferring pets over children in a rapidly aging society. Meanwhile, President Javier Milei, a vocal advocate for dog lovers, has made headlines for his four English mastiffs, which he affectionately refers to as his "four-legged children." These dogs are genetic clones of Milei's previous dog, Conan, who passed away in 2017.
The deep emotional attachment to pets in Argentina is also reflected in the surge in demand for pet cemeteries. Gardens of the Soul, a pet cemetery near Buenos Aires, now hosts regular ceremonies honoring deceased pets, a far cry from periods when burials were less frequent. Owners often personalize the graves of their pets with heartfelt tributes, illustrating the profound bond shared between humans and their canine companions.
In summary, dog ownership in Buenos Aires signifies a cultural shift shaped by economic factors and changing societal norms. As pets become essential family members, the city is evolving into a haven for dog-friendly initiatives and services, marking a unique chapter in the history of companionship between humans and animals.
