More Paws than Prams: The Inner West’s Fur Baby Boom
The Inner West has become a canine kingdom - where dogs outnumber kids, and our four-legged friends are treated more like humans than pets.
The Inner West has undergone a quiet shift. What was once a neighbourhood of prams and playgrounds has transitioned into a world of puppy playdates and paw-rents. In Balmain and Rozelle, dogs outnumber children 1.7 to 1. With 1,295 dogs per square kilometre, the Inner West holds the title for Sydney’s highest canine concentration.
Several factors have fueled the shift, but the pandemic was a game-changer. It triggered a 20% surge in pet ownership across a third of Greater Sydney’s councils. We then saw Sydney’s fertility rates plunge to an historic low of 1.57 births per woman - resulting in nearly 10,000 fewer births compared to pre-pandemic levels.
The impact is playing out everywhere, with nearly half of all Sydney’s council areas reporting more dogs than children. Recent data reveals Woollahra equals the inner west ratio of 1.7 dogs per child. In the City of Sydney, there are more than two dogs for every child under 15. In fact, around 48% of Sydney households owned a dog in 2022, up from 40% in 2019.
So, what’s the skinny on this pet obsession?
In essence, the rise of dog ownership in Balmain, Rozelle, and the broader Inner West mirrors a societal shift. As birth rates declined, traditional family structures evolved, and it seems dogs have filled the void by offering companionship and a unique sense of community.
Our path to dog ownership began with persistent pleas from our daughter. After babysitting a neighbour's dog, Avamaria was smitten and launched a campaign for one of her own. We eventually relented, and it’s been the best decision for our family.
Humanising our dogs
However, the real shift isn’t just that we own more dogs; it’s that we now treat them like tiny, non-verbal people. Social media has played a huge role, with Instagram and TikTok turning dogs into celebrity influencers - and making us even more obsessed with treating them like VIP humans.
Remember when dogs used to sleep outside in a kennel? Now, if they’re not sprawled across your bed, they're curled up on pet beds made of orthopedic memory foam.
Birthday parties with dog cakes? Normal.
Handmade dog sweaters? Not weird.
Pet psychologists? Fully booked.
I write this as someone who once scoffed at the idea of humanising dogs, only to now find myself wheeling mine around in a shopping trolley at Harris Farm and spending more on her grooming than I spend on myself.
The health benefits of dog ownership
Dogs have long earned their title as man’s best friend, offering companionship on demand and unconditional love. They also don’t judge, hold grudges, or bring up something embarrassing you did six months ago.
And let’s face it—dogs give more than they take. Scientific studies (yes, real ones) have shown that interacting with dogs can reduce stress, anxiety, and depression. Just twenty minutes of playing with a dog increases oxytocin and serotonin levels, lowering stress and raising happiness. According to heart.org, dog owners often experience lower blood pressure and a decreased risk of heart disease too.
The billion-dollar canine economy
Who could have predicted that walking dogs, once a chore delegated to kids for pocket money, would become such a lucrative industry? Yet here we are, in an era where dogs go to daycare while you work, doggy wellness retreats exist, pet grooming salons are more luxurious than some human hairdressers, and dog walkers can earn more per hour than junior lawyers.
Our relationship with pets has clearly changed, and the market responded accordingly. Australian pet owners spent an estimated A$33.2 billion on their pets in 2022. The online pet supplies market saw revenues reach A$73 million in November 2024. Projections indicate this figure will grow to A$1.1 billion by 2028, with an annual growth rate of 9.6%.
We pay the bills, but dogs call the shots
I used to believe I was the master in this human-dog relationship. But when you’re out walking your dog, who’s actually in charge?
We follow them around while they sniff out a spot - and then we dutifully pick up their poop in our biodegradable bags. If the proverbial aliens were watching, we know what they would be thinking.
So… Is this a problem?
Not really. The Inner West’s dog obsession is both adorable and slightly absurd, but it also reflects how modern city life has changed.
People are having fewer kids,
Household structures have shifted,
Loneliness is at an all-time high, and
Dogs give us instant joy, comfort, and community.
The trade-off? Our streets are covered in remnants of dog waste and our parks and footpaths are being overrun by our fur babies.
But when I watch my cavoodle Gracie stare at me with complete, undivided love, I get it. We treat them like humans because, in many ways, they give us the kind of unwavering companionship that even some humans struggle to match. And that? That’s worth every paw-print on my couch and every poo bag in my pocket.
So go ahead—book that paw-dicure, order the dog-friendly wine, and treat your pooch to a weekend wellness retreat. After all, Inner West dogs don’t just have owners - they have lifestyles. 🐶
This article was originally published in Darling Magazine