Older adults say pets give purpose, but costs are rising

Older adults are reporting stronger emotional benefits from pets than they did seven years ago, but they’re also feeling more financial pressure. A new University of Michigan National Poll on Healthy Aging found that 83% of U.S. pet parents ages 50 to 80 say their pets give them a sense of purpose, up from 73% in 2018, while 31% say pet care strains their budget, up from 18%. The February 2026 poll, based on a nationally representative survey of 2,698 adults ages 50 to 95 conducted by NORC at the University of Chicago, also found that 70% of older pet parents say pets connect them with others, 63% say pets reduce stress, and 44% say pets help them stay physically active. (ihpi.umich.edu)

Why it matters: For veterinary professionals, the findings sharpen a familiar tension: the human-animal bond remains strong, especially for older adults, even as affordability is becoming a bigger barrier to care. That aligns with broader 2025-2026 access-to-care data showing 94% of veterinarians say clients’ financial considerations sometimes or often limit recommended care, and that many practices still address cost only after recommendations are made or when clients raise the issue themselves. For clinics serving older adults, that makes proactive cost conversations, spectrum-of-care planning, and referral pathways for financial assistance more important to retention, adherence, and welfare. (gallup.com)

What to watch: Expect more attention on practical affordability strategies, including spectrum-of-care workflows, payment options, and community partnerships aimed at keeping older adults and their pets together. (gallup.com)