Older adults value pets, but affordability pressures are rising

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Pets remain an important source of meaning and connection for older adults, but the cost of keeping them is becoming harder to absorb. According to the University of Michigan National Poll on Healthy Aging, published February 23, 2026, 83% of pet parents age 50 and older say their pets give them a sense of purpose, while 71% say pets help them enjoy life and 70% say pets connect them with others. But 31% now say their pets strain the household budget, a sharp increase from 18% in 2018. (ihpi.umich.edu)

The new poll updates a picture first captured in 2018, when researchers found that pets played a strong role in older adults’ activity, stress relief, and companionship. In the 2025 survey wave, overall pet ownership among adults age 50 and older remained fairly steady at 55%, with dogs and cats still the most common companions. What changed was the balance between emotional benefit and financial pressure. Compared with 2018, older adults in 2025 were more likely to say pets give them purpose, but less likely to say pets help them enjoy life, feel loved, reduce stress, stay active, maintain a routine, or cope with symptoms. (ihpi.umich.edu)

The affordability signal runs beyond current pet parents. Among adults age 50 to 80 who do not have pets, 33% now cite cost as a reason, up from 21% in 2018. Lack of time and concerns about being healthy enough to care for a pet also increased. The University of Michigan report notes that financial strain was more common among women, lower-income respondents, adults in poorer physical or mental health, and those living with disabilities that limit daily activities. The poll also emphasizes an important methodological point: the 2018 and 2025 surveys sampled different groups of older adults, so the comparison shows population-level change rather than tracking the same individuals over time. (ihpi.umich.edu)

That finding lands in a veterinary environment already focused on cost of care. Gallup reported in January 2026 that 94% of veterinarians say clients’ financial considerations sometimes or often limit their ability to provide recommended care. Related PetSmart Charities-Gallup findings have suggested that affordability is now one of the main drivers of declined care, and that many pet parents who said no to treatment because of cost reported they were not offered a more financially accessible option. Inference: older adults are unlikely to be the only group under pressure, but they may be especially vulnerable because many are living on fixed incomes while also managing their own health expenses. (news.gallup.com)

For practices, the takeaway isn’t simply that senior clients need lower prices. It’s that they may need more structured decision support. When pets are deeply tied to purpose, routine, and emotional well-being, delayed or declined care can carry consequences for both the animal and the human household. That makes early conversations about preventive care, expected costs of chronic disease management, mobility-related caregiving challenges, and backup care plans especially relevant for older pet parents. It also strengthens the case for offering written estimates, tiered diagnostics or treatment pathways when medically appropriate, and referrals to charitable funds, community clinics, or pet food support programs. (ihpi.umich.edu)

There’s also a welfare and ethics dimension. If cost keeps older adults from adopting or retaining pets, some may miss out on a meaningful source of companionship and daily structure. At the same time, financial strain can increase the risk of delayed veterinary visits, interrupted treatment, or difficult surrender decisions. For veterinary teams, that puts communication at the center of care: not just explaining the gold standard, but helping pet parents understand realistic options before a crisis hits. (ihpi.umich.edu)

Why it matters: This poll gives veterinary professionals fresh, client-specific evidence that the access-to-care challenge is not abstract. Older pet parents may present with strong attachment and high motivation to care, but limited financial flexibility. Practices that can pair empathy with practical pathways, including preventive planning and transparent cost discussions, may be better positioned to protect continuity of care and reduce avoidable deterioration. (ihpi.umich.edu)

What to watch: Watch for follow-up analysis from the University of Michigan poll team, and for more industry attention on affordability tools, community partnerships, and care models designed to support older adults who want to keep pets in the home. (ihpi.umich.edu)