Gone are the times that pets are viewed as ‘the dog’ or ‘the cat’, they are now viewed as members of the family. In fact, 44 percent of millennials see their pets as starter children! With this shift has come a new age of pet parents who take their parenting to the next level. We’ve explored some key ways millennial parents are upping the good life for their pets.

1. Tapping into pet tech

Millennials are now willing to spend more money to make their pet’s the trendiest on the block and to have insight into their health and emotions. According to CNN, pet owners spend 44 billion per year on pet supplies. Some hot products that have hit the market are activity and mood trackers as well as chat boxes that let you see and talk to your pets from work (you can even give them a treat!). These tech products allow owners to connect with their pets regularly and even gain insight into how they are feeling.

2. Reading the ingredients

Millennial pet parents are paying more attention to what is in the food they feed their furry family members and, according to a recent survey, 98% believe dog food should be made entirely of ingredients that meet the same safety and quality standards as those for human food. Lucky for them, Humankind provides dogs with 100% Human Quality, nutrient-dense food made with real wholesome ingredients without any fillers, meals or by-products typically found in dog foods. If it’s not fit for human consumption, you won’t find it in Humankind! Not only are the ingredients fit for human consumption, but the food is made in FDA approved facilities.

3. Integrating them into their lifestyle

As pets become more important to Millennials’ everyday lives they are integrated more and more into their overall routine. It’s very common now to see pets come on vacations. According to a recent Wakefield study, 61% of Millennials think it’s important to have a “portable” pet, making it easier to travel with them on vacation – or even to brunch on Sunday. Understanding that pet parents are eager to customize their homes for their furry loved ones, Ikea launched its own line of pet furniture to help them feel right at home.

4. Purchasing better digs

Millennials want better living spaces for their themselves and their furry fam. A recent survey by SunTrust Mortgage found that a third of millennials who purchased their first home were influenced by the need to have space for a dog.

5. Tapping into digital support systems

If anything has been proven time and time again about Millennials, it is their love of convenience. Millennials tap into apps like Uber and TaskRabbit to get their chores done, so why not an app that allows their dog to be walked? The emergence of the app Wag allows Millennials to ensure their beloved pet is getting the exercise and attention they need while they are managing their own responsibilities.