Older adults lean on pets for purpose as care costs rise

A new University of Michigan National Poll on Healthy Aging finds that pets remain deeply important to older adults, even as affordability becomes a bigger barrier. In the nationally representative September 2025 survey of 2,698 adults ages 50 to 95, 57% said they currently have at least one pet, essentially unchanged from 55% in 2018. But among pet parents ages 50 and older, 83% now say their animals give them a sense of purpose, up from 73% in 2018, while 31% say pet care strains their budget, up from 18%. Among older adults without pets, 33% cited cost as a reason, versus 21% seven years earlier. (ihpi.umich.edu)

Why it matters: For veterinary teams, the poll adds fresh evidence that companion animals are part of healthy aging, not just household life. It also underscores a practical tension clinics are already seeing: older clients may be highly bonded and highly motivated, but increasingly cost-sensitive, especially women, people in fair or poor health, those with disabilities, and households earning under $60,000. That lines up with broader 2026 survey data showing 94% of veterinarians say client finances sometimes or often limit recommended care, and that many pet parents report they aren’t always offered a more affordable alternative when they decline treatment. (ihpi.umich.edu)

What to watch: Expect more attention on flexible care plans, advance pet care planning during hospitalization or health decline, and support models that help older adults keep pets in the home. (ihpi.umich.edu)