Older adults say pets bring purpose, but costs are rising

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Older adults are reporting stronger emotional ties to their pets, even as the cost of care is becoming a bigger burden. New findings from the University of Michigan National Poll on Healthy Aging show that 83% of pet parents ages 50 to 80 say their pets give them a sense of purpose, up from 73% in 2018, while 70% say pets help connect them with other people. At the same time, 31% say pet care strains their budget, nearly double the 18% who said the same seven years earlier. The poll also found pet ownership rates were largely stable, with 57% of adults ages 50 to 80 reporting they had a pet in 2025, compared with 55% in 2018. (ihpi.umich.edu)

Why it matters: For veterinary professionals, the message is familiar but sharper: pets remain a major source of meaning and social connection for older clients, yet affordability is becoming a more visible barrier to care. University of Michigan poll director Jeffrey Kullgren, M.D., urged healthcare providers to ask about and document patients’ relationships with pets, and the broader veterinary affordability picture is tightening too, with 94% of veterinarians in a recent PetSmart Charities-Gallup survey saying clients’ financial considerations sometimes or often limit recommended care. That makes clear communication, preventive planning, and practical options around cost especially important for older pet parents living on fixed or limited incomes. (ihpi.umich.edu)

What to watch: Expect more attention on how veterinary teams, human healthcare providers, and community support programs can help older adults keep pets in their lives without delaying needed care. (aaha.org)