Older adults lean on pets, even as care costs squeeze budgets

Older adults are reporting stronger emotional ties to their pets, even as affordability becomes a bigger problem. A February 2026 University of Michigan National Poll on Healthy Aging found that 55% of U.S. adults age 50 and older have a pet, and 83% of pet parents said their animals give them a sense of purpose, up from 73% in a comparable 2018 poll. But 31% said having a pet strains their budget, and among older adults without pets, 33% cited cost as a reason. The poll, based on a national survey of 2,698 adults ages 50 to 95 conducted in September 2025 by NORC for the University of Michigan, also found that dogs and cats remain the dominant species in this age group. (ihpi.umich.edu)

Why it matters: For veterinary professionals, the findings reinforce that pets are often central to an older client’s daily routine, emotional health, and willingness to make care decisions. They also point to a growing affordability gap: the University of Michigan team noted that financial pressures, changing health status, and the increasing demands of caring for aging pets may be shaping these responses. That makes clear communication about preventive care, realistic treatment options, and spectrum-of-care planning especially important for older pet parents, particularly those on fixed incomes or managing disability or poor health. AVMA has similarly advised practices to have proactive conversations about affordability and, when possible, offer a spectrum of care, payment plans, or financing tools. (ihpi.umich.edu)

What to watch: Expect more attention on access-to-care models, client communication around costs, and community partnerships that help older pet parents keep animals in the home. (humananimalsupportservices.org)