Awareness of the human-animal bond and how it impacts pet care

The Human Animal Bond Research Initiative (HABRI) Foundation 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 is 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

Source:  HABRI