A new national poll from the University of Michigan reveals that pet ownership continues to play a meaningful role in the health and well-being of middle-aged and older adults. From walking dogs to watching fish glide through a tank, the simple act of sharing life with an animal appears to support healthier aging across multiple dimensions — physically, mentally, and socially. However, the same poll highlights a growing financial challenge: the rising cost of pet care is straining the budgets of a significant share of older pet owners across the United States.
Key Poll Findings on Pet Ownership and Aging
The findings stem from the University of Michigan National Poll on Healthy Aging, which surveyed adults aged 50 and older and revisited questions last explored seven years ago in 2018. The overall rate of pet ownership in this age group has remained relatively stable, with 57% of adults aged 50 to 80 reporting at least one pet today, compared to 55% in 2018.
A Growing Sense of Purpose Among Older Pet Owners
One of the most striking changes between the two polls is the sharp increase in the percentage of older adults who say their pet gives them a sense of purpose. In 2018, 73% of pet owners aged 50 to 80 reported this benefit. By 2025, that figure had climbed to 83% — a notable shift that suggests pets are becoming increasingly central to the emotional well-being of aging adults, particularly at a time when loneliness and social isolation among seniors are recognized as serious public health concerns.
Social Connection and Stress Reduction
Beyond purpose, 70% of current pet owners over 50 say their pet helps them connect with others. Meanwhile, 63% report that their pet helps reduce stress, and 44% say pet ownership supports their physical activity levels. These numbers underscore the multi-faceted role that companion animals can play in supporting quality of life as adults age.
Wellness Gain, Financial Strain
Despite the clear health benefits, the financial burden of pet ownership has grown significantly. The percentage of pet owners aged 50 to 80 who say owning a pet strains their budget has jumped from 18% in 2018 to 31% in 2025 — nearly double in just seven years. Among adults aged 50 and older who do not currently have pets, 33% now cite cost as a primary reason — up from 21% in 2018.
Who Feels the Financial Pressure Most?
The poll identified several groups most likely to report budget strain from pet ownership. These include women, individuals who rate their physical or mental health as fair or poor, people with disabilities that limit daily activity, and those with household incomes under $60,000. As poll founder Dr. Preeti Malani, Professor of Internal Medicine at the University of Michigan, noted: “Some of the people who could potentially get the most benefit from having a pet may also be the ones who have cost-related challenges to pet ownership.”
Other barriers to pet ownership among non-pet owners also increased. The percentage citing lack of time rose from 15% to 20%, and those saying they are not healthy enough to care for a pet rose from 2% to 6%.
How Pet Ownership Benefits Have Shifted Over Time
While the overall rate of pet ownership has remained steady, the degree to which older adults feel they benefit from their pets has shifted in some areas. In 2018, 60% of pet owners said their pet helped them cope with physical or mental symptoms. By 2025, only 34% reported this benefit. Similarly, the percentage who said their pet helped them stay physically active dropped from 64% to 44%, and the stress-reduction benefit fell from 79% to 63%.
What Types of Pets Do Older Adults Keep?
The types of pets older adults keep have remained largely consistent. Among all current pet owners aged 50 and over, 70% have dogs, 50% have cats, and smaller percentages own other animals including fish (6%), birds (4%), small mammals (3%), large mammals (3%), and reptiles (1%). Approximately 31% of current pet owners in this age group report having more than one type of pet.
The Role of Healthcare Providers in Pet-Health Conversations
Given the intersections between pet ownership and health outcomes revealed in the poll, experts are now calling on healthcare providers to take a more active interest in patients’ relationships with their pets. Poll director Dr. Jeffrey Kullgren, Associate Professor of Internal Medicine at the University of Michigan, recommends that clinicians inquire about and even document patients’ pet ownership status.
Practical Guidance for Clinicians
Dr. Kullgren emphasized the practical value of this information in clinical settings: “If we’re encouraging someone to get more physical activity to improve their physical or mental health, knowing if they have a pet they can take for a walk or play with could be very useful.” He also highlighted the importance of planning ahead for hospitalizations to ensure pet care is arranged — a step that could significantly reduce stress for pet-owning patients. Equally important, he stressed the need to acknowledge the grief associated with pet loss as a legitimate and serious form of emotional pain.
Even for patients without pets of their own, there may be alternative ways to experience the companionship benefits of animals — such as walking with a friend’s dog, pet-sitting for a neighbor, or spending time with relatives’ pets.
Michigan Poll: Regional Insights
In addition to the national sample, the poll team analyzed data from a dedicated Michigan sample of adults aged 50 and over, supported by the Michigan Health Endowment Fund. Among older Michiganders, 54% reported having at least one pet.
Top Benefits Reported by Michigan Pet Owners
Michigan pet owners aged 50 and older identified the five most common benefits of pet ownership as: a sense of purpose (87%), enjoying life more (72%), connection with others (72%), stress reduction (67%), and feeling loved (66%). Michigan pet owners were also more likely than their national counterparts to report that owning a pet strains their budget — 38% in Michigan compared to 31% in the rest of the United States.
Among older Michiganders without pets, 29% cited cost as a barrier, while 42% said they did not want to feel tied down, and 30% simply chose not to have a pet.
Conclusion
The University of Michigan’s National Poll on Healthy Aging offers compelling evidence that pets continue to support healthy aging in meaningful ways — from reducing loneliness and stress to encouraging physical activity and providing a sense of purpose. However, as the financial burden of pet ownership climbs, access to these benefits is becoming unequal. Addressing pet care affordability, integrating pet ownership conversations into clinical practice, and expanding awareness of alternative ways to benefit from animal companionship will be essential steps in ensuring that more older adults can experience the health-enhancing power of the human-animal bond.
