Survey of U.S. Pet Owners | HABRI

HABRI Benchmark Survey of U.S. Pet Owners

Table of Contents

2021 Survey

The Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI) Benchmark Survey of Pet Owners asked pet owners from across the United States about awareness, attitudes and behavior related to the human-animal bond. This online survey was conducted with a U.S. nationally representative of sample of adults 18+ years old who own at least one pet.

These new results, which come five years after HABRI’s first Benchmark Survey of U.S. Pet Owners, capture the growing strength and importance of the human-animal bond. The increased closeness to our pets has been accelerated by the pandemic, but other factors, including generational shifts, have marked an upward trajectory over the last five years.

COVID-19 has increased time spent with pets. This increase is becoming permanent

  • 83% of pet owners say they spend most of or a big part or most of the day with their pets, up from 78% in 2016 (+5%)
  • 36% of pet owners report they are spending more time with their pets now than before the pandemic
  • 64% of pet owners expect to spend more time with their pets after the pandemic than before

Health improvements of the human-animal bond have increased.

  • 76% of pet owners report that their personal health has improved as a result of owning a pet, up from 71% in 2016 (+5%)
  • 87% of pet owners say that they have experienced mental health improvements from pet ownership, up from 74% in 2016 (+13%)

Pet owners are talking about the benefits of the human-animal bond

  • 64% of pet owners have had a conversation with someone in the past year about the health benefits of pet ownership
  • 36% of pet owners report discussing the health benefits of the human-animal bond with their doctor or therapist

Doctors and therapists are recommending pets for improved health

  • 22%, more than 1-in-5, pet owners have had a pet recommended for their health by a doctor or therapist
  • 69% of pet owners would have a more favorable view of a doctor that discussed the health benefits of the human-animal bond with them, up from 65% in 2016 (+4%)
  • 89% of pet owners agree that doctors should recommend pets to patients for healthier living

Veterinarians are at the center of conversations about the human-animal bond

  • 63% of pet owners discuss the health benefits of the human-animal bond with their veterinarian (75% of Gen Z/Millennials), up from 56% in 2016 (+7%)
  • 70% of pet owners say they would have a more favorable view of their veterinarian if they discussed the health benefits of the human-animal bond with them, up from 66% in 2016 (+4%)
  • 65% of pet owners say they would be more likely to visit a veterinarian who discussed the health benefits of the human-animal bond with them, up from 60% in 2016 (+5%)

Awareness of human-animal bond research is growing

  • 97% of pet owners are aware of at least one scientifically-documented health benefit of the human-animal bond
  • On average, pet owners are knowledgeable about 12 health benefits documented by scientific research, such as reducing stress, easing loneliness and enhancing wellbeing

Awareness of human-animal bond research leads to better veterinary care

The more pet owners learn about scientific research on the benefits of the human-animal bond, the more likely they are to take actions to improve pet health.

With increased knowledge about the scientific research on the health benefits of the human-animal bond:

  • 91% of pet owners say they would be more likely to maintain their pet’s health, including regular check-ups with their veterinarian, up from 89% in 2016 (+2%)
  • 58% of pet owners say they would be more likely to purchase pet health insurance, up from 51% in 2016 (+4%)

Awareness of human-animal bond research improves animal welfare

With increased knowledge about the scientific research on the health benefits of the human-animal bond:

  • 91% of pet owners say they would be more likely to take better care of their pet, up from 89% in 2016 (+2%) 
  • 79% of pet owners say they would be more likely to microchip their pet to ensure it can be found if lost or stolen, up from 75% in 2016 (+4%)
  • 68% of pet owners say they would be less likely to give up their pet for any reason

Awareness of human-animal bond research boosts pet acquisition

With increased knowledge about the scientific research on the health benefits of the human-animal bond:

  • 87% of pet owners say they would be more likely to recommend a pet to a friend or family member
  • 80% of pet owners say they would be more likely to get another pet in the future (if the one they have now passes away)
  • 57% of pet owners say they would be more likely to get an additional pet, up from 49% in 2016 (+8%)

Awareness of human-animal bond research drives better pet care

With increased knowledge about the scientific research on the health benefits of the human-animal bond:

  • 90% of pet owners say they would be more likely to provide their pet with higher quality nutrition, up from 88% in 2016 (+2%)
  • 81% of pet owners say they would be more likely to provide their pet with more toys, up from 74% in 2016 (+7%)
  • 77% of pet owners say they would spend more money on their pet overall, up from 69% in 2016 (+8%)

Awareness of human-animal bond research creates more engaged, committed pet owners

With increased knowledge about the scientific research on the health benefits of the human-animal bond:

  • 91% of pet owners say they would be more likely to take better care of their own health
  • 67% of pet owners say they would be more likely to bring their pet with them when they travel, up from 59% in 2016 (+8%)
  • 67% of pet owners say they would be more likely to bring their pet with them when they go out, up from 62% in 2016 (+5%)
  • 61% of pet owners say they would change housing so they could have a pet
  • 59% of pet owners would seek out a pet-friendly workplace environment
  • 45% of pet owners would change jobs so that they could have increased time with their pet at home

There is strong support for pets in society

Pet owners agree that society should be more pet-friendly, and that the benefits of pet ownership are important to public health.

  • 87% of pet owners say they would be more likely to buy products or services from pet-friendly businesses
  • 92% of pet owners agree that hospitals, schools, etc. should welcome/have therapy animal programs available
  • 92% of pet owners agree that the government should provide service animals to qualifying veterans suffering from PTSD
  • 90% of pet owners agree that emergency and temporary housing should accommodate pets
  • 84% of pet owners agree that there should be fewer restrictions on pets in rental housing
  • 82% of pet owners agree the government should encourage pet ownership for a healthier society

2016 Survey

HABRI partnered with Cohen Research Group to conduct an online survey of 2,000 pet owners, which had a margin of error of plus or minus 2.2%.

This survey was the first survey of its kind to explore how pet owners’ knowledge of the health benefits of the human-animal bond impacts pet care and welfare. The survey also looked for generational differences among pet owners on this subject. Key findings are as follows:

There is strong awareness of the health benefits of pet ownership

  • 71% of pet owners have heard about scientific research on the human-animal bond that demonstrates pet ownership can help improve physical or mental health in people
  • 88% of pet owners were aware that pets reduce stress
  • 86% of pet owners were aware that pets reduce depression
  • 84% of pet owners were aware that pets reduce anxiety
  • 81% of pet owners were aware that pets increase our sense of well-being
  • 80% of pet owners were aware that pets help with conditions like PTSD in war veterans
  • 68% of pet owners were aware that pets support healthy aging
  • 65% of pet owners were aware that pets help with conditions like autism
  • 60% of pet owners were aware that pets improve heart health
  • 56% of pet owners were aware that pets help with conditions like Alzheimer’s disease
  • 47% of pet owners were aware that pets support child cognitive development and reading skills
  • 45% of pet owners were aware that pets support classroom learning
  • 32% of pet owners were aware that pets help prevent child allergies

The majority of pet owners have personal experience with the health benefits of pets.

  • 74% of pet owners reported mental health improvements from pet ownership
  • 75% of pet owners reported a friend’s or family member’s mental health has improved from pet ownership
  • 54% of pet owners reported physical health improvements from pet ownership
  • 55% of pet owners reported a friend’s or family member’s physical health has improved from pet ownership
  • 83% of baby boomers and 82% of greatest/silent generations reported more personal experience with mental health improvements from pets than millennials (62%) and generation X (72%)

The more pet owners learn about scientific research on the benefits of the human-animal bond, the more likely they are to take actions to improve pet health.

When educated on the scientific research on the health benefits of pets:

  • 92% of pet owners are more likely to maintain their pet’s health, including keeping up with vaccines and preventative medicine
  • 89% of pet owners are more likely to take their pet to the vet for regular check-ups
  • 88% of pet owners are more likely to provide their pets with high-quality nutrition
  • 62% of pet owners are less likely to skip visits to the veterinarian
  • 51% of pet owners (78% of millennials) are more likely to purchase pet health insurance

Knowledge of the scientific research on the benefits of the human-animal bond improves animal welfare.

When educated on the scientific research on the health benefits of pets:

  • 89% of pet owners are more likely to take better care of their pets
  • 75% of pet owners are more likely to microchip a pet to ensure it can be found if lost or stolen
  • 74% of pet owners are less likely to give up a pet for any reason

In addition:

  • 77% of pet owners believe that pets benefit from the human-animal bond as much as people
  • 80% of pet owners who were aware of the health benefits of pets reported spending most of the day or a big part of their day with their pets, compared to 71% of pet owners who were unaware

Knowledge of the scientific research on the benefits of the human-animal bond boosts pet ownership.

When educated on the scientific research on the health benefits of pets:

  • 87% of pet owners are more likely to recommend a pet to a friend or family member
  • 81% of pet owners are more likely to get another pet in the future (if the one they have now passes away)
  • 49% of pet owners (74% of millennials) are more likely to get an additional pet
  • 57% of pet owners that currently reported having multiple pets are more likely to get yet another pet

Veterinarians are trusted resources for scientific information on the human health benefits of pets and have an opportunity to further strengthen their relationships with pet owners, especially millennials.

  • Virtually all pet owners (97%) have a favorable opinion of their veterinarian
  • 66% of pet owners (77% of millennials) would have a more favorable view of their veterinarian if they discussed the health benefits of the human-animal bond with them
  • 61% of pet owners (74% of millennials) would be more likely to visit their veterinarian if they discussed the health benefits of the human-animal bond with them
  • 25% of millennials always talk to their veterinarians about the health benefits of pet ownership, more than generation X (16%), baby boomers (6%), or greatest/silent generation (4%)

Doctors can also benefit from increased communication on the human-animal bond.

  • 88% of pet owners agree doctors and specialists should recommend pets to patients for healthier living
  • 65% of pet owners would have a more favorable view of a doctor who discussed the health benefits of the human-animal bond with them
  • 59% of pet owners would be more likely to visit a doctor who discussed the health benefits of the human-animal bond with them

Pet owners believe society should be more pet friendly and should act on the scientific research that shows pets improve human health.

  • 93% of pet owners agree the government should provide service animals to veterans with PTSD
  • 69% of pet owners (83% of millennials) agree the government should help make it more affordable to own a pet
  • 84% agree health and life insurance companies should give discounts for owning a pet
  • 87% would be more likely to buy products from pet-friendly businesses
  • 58% of pet owners (74% of millennials) agree employers should consider allowing employees to bring pets to work

Pets are family

  • 98% of pet owners agree that their pet is an important part of their family
  • 95% of pet owners could not imagine giving up their pet for any reason
HABRI