As Americans grow increasingly attached to their pets, they're spending more and more money on them.

The big picture: Pet ownership as well as love for pets surged during the pandemic.

• About two-thirds of Americans own pets, and 97% of them say their pets feel like part of the family, according to a Pew Research Center survey.
• 51% of pet owners say their animals are as much a part of their families as human members.

All this is giving rise to a booming business of premium medical care, treats and vacations for pets.

🩺 Zoom in: Vet prices have jumped 60% in the last decade, The New York Times reports.

• Modern vet clinics look like human hospitals, equipped with state-of-the-art MRI machines and ICUs, and staffed by oncology and cardiology specialists.
• Plus, vets are getting bougie with fancy interior decor, cold brew on tap and exclusive membership programs.

🏡 Homebuyers are getting "pet-fluenced" while house hunting, Axios' Sami Sparber writes.

• People are picking homes based on their proximity to parks and vets, and some are even designing bedrooms for their animals.

🍲 Pet nutrition has leveled up from kibble. Owners are opting for highly specialized — and pricey — fresh, human-grade food options from a slew of startups, Barron's reports.

• There are also dog bakeries and ice cream parlors specifically for pets.

🛏️ And some owners are trading in kennels for luxury dog hotels when they need to travel without their pets.

• These facilities are expensive, but they offer perks like bedtime tuck-ins, swimming pools, blueberry facials and queen-size beds for dogs, according to The New York Times.

Check out this view of Wisconsin's Eagle Harbor, snapped by Rob Zwettler from Ephraim.

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📝 On that note, Axios' Carly Mallenbaum is writing a story about the science behind water's calming effects for Finish Line. Send your photos of oceans, lakes and rivers that bring you peace — the bluer the better! — to [email protected] for a chance to be featured in an upcoming newsletter!