Nearly Every US Pet Owner Says Their Pet Is Good for Their Health, HABRI Survey Finds

Americans are not just fond of their pets — they are nearly unanimous that living with one is good for them. The Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI) released its 2026 Human-Animal Bond Benchmark Survey on October 19, and it found that 98% of pet owners have personally experienced at least one health benefit from their animals.

The survey paints a picture of a country thoroughly populated by pets. Some 74% of Americans own at least one, another 15% intend to get one, and multi-pet households are now the norm: 64% of owners live with more than one animal, averaging about three pets per household across all species.

Awareness of the benefits is surging

Perhaps the biggest shift is how widely the benefits are now recognised. Respondents could identify an average of 18 research-backed benefits of pet ownership, up from 12 in 2021. The most recognised were easing loneliness (92%), reducing depression (89%) and reducing stress (88%). Even among people without pets, 97% were aware of at least one benefit.

HABRI president Steven Feldman described the results as a cultural tipping point, noting that roughly nine in ten Americans either have a pet or want one, driven by a shared understanding that the bond is good for human health.

Pets are reshaping the rules at home

The findings carry practical weight beyond warm feelings. Some 83% of Americans said public spaces should be pet-friendly, 81% said they would be more likely to buy from pet-friendly businesses, and 80% said there should be fewer restrictions on pets in rental housing — a signal to landlords and policymakers alike.

The survey also linked strong bonds to better care: owners who reported a close connection with their pets were more likely to keep up preventive veterinary care. For households weighing whether a pet fits their life, the message from 2026 is that the companionship increasingly comes with a documented upside.

Source: Pet Food Industry