HABRI 2026: 98% of US Pet Owners Report Health Benefits

The Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI) has released its 2026 Human-Animal Bond Benchmark Survey, finding that 98% of US pet owners report health benefits and 74% of US adults own at least one pet. Reported on 21 October 2026, the nationally representative survey reveals substantial commercial opportunity across the US companion animal market, with stronger human-animal bonds correlating with greater veterinary preventive care engagement.

Of US adults surveyed, 97% recognised at least one research-backed benefit of pet ownership, with 92% associating pets with reduced loneliness. The average respondent recognised 18 health benefits (up from 12 in HABRI’s 2021 survey). Pet owners reporting the strongest human-animal bonds were more likely to have an established veterinarian (94% versus 86%) and keep up with preventive care including vaccinations (84% versus 77%). Additionally, 91% of owners said learning about human-animal bond research makes them more likely to maintain their pets’ health, and 88% said it makes them more likely to provide high-quality nutrition.

Multi-pet households are now the norm, with 64% of owners reporting more than one pet. HABRI President Steven Feldman positioned the findings as reflecting growing cultural recognition of the human-animal bond. The data sharpens commercial positioning across US animal health incumbents Zoetis, Boehringer Ingelheim, MSD Animal Health, Elanco and Virbac; therapeutic nutrition specialists Mars Petcare (Royal Canin), Hill’s Pet Nutrition and Nestlé Purina; US vet consolidators Mars Veterinary Health (Banfield, VCA, BluePearl); diagnostics specialists IDEXX and Antech (Mars); and pet retail-channel Chewy, Petco and PetSmart.

The commercial signal is a maturing US companion animal market where human-animal bond strength drives structural demand across veterinary preventive care, therapeutic nutrition, diagnostics and insurance. Affordability and pet-friendly housing remain growth constraints. Expect Zoetis, Boehringer Ingelheim, MSD Animal Health, Elanco, Mars Petcare, Hill’s Pet Nutrition, Nestlé Purina, IDEXX, Chewy and pet insurance competitors to sharpen US positioning through 2027.

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