ANN ARBOR MI – Taking a dog for a walk, cuddling a cat, or just having a pet around may help middle-age and older adults with their health, a new poll finds. The costs of caring for those pets, however, strains the budgets of 31% of pet owners age 50 and older, poll participants say.
Moreover, people over 50 who don’t have pets say their cost is a main reason why.
The findings, from the University of Michigan National Poll on Healthy Aging, give an updated look at an issue a similar poll explored seven years ago in people ages 50 to 80.
The percentage of adults in that age range who have pets has not changed significantly. Fifty-seven percent report having at least one pet today, compared with 55% in 2018. Yet the percentage of adults age 50-80 who say having a pet gives them a sense of purpose has grown, to 83% today from 73% in 2018.
In addition, 70% of current pet owners over 50 say having a pet connects them with others, particularly as loneliness and isolation rises among older adults. Sixty-three percent say having a pet helps reduce their stress; 44% say it helps them stay physically active.
Photo by Curated Lifestyle on Unsplash+, used under license
Balancing Costs with Wellness
Balancing benefits of pet ownership with its costs has become harder. The number of pet owners age 50-80 who say having a pet strains their budget has risen from 18% in 2018, to 31% today, according to poll responses.
Current pet owners most likely to report budget strains included women, those who rated their mental or physical health as fair or poor, individuals with limiting disabilities, and those with household incomes under $60,000.
“Our two polls, seven years apart, clearly show that animals can play a key role in the lives of older adults, and bring many benefits that can contribute to healthy aging,” says Dr. Preeti Malani. “Yet 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.”
Malani is a Department of Internal Medicine professor in the university’s medical school. She has training in geriatrics and infectious diseases, and is a long-time dog owner. Malani directed the poll when the first pet data was gathered in 2018, and now advises its research team.
This article was provided to Travels With The Post by Newswise, a Charlottesville VA-based distributor of university and research association news. Find other Newswise articles here.
Our local news reporting includes Healthy Living articles about healthcare, wellness, medical providers, and medical services within, or that affect residents of, Montgomery, Berks, and Chester PA counties. Find more health-related articles here. Also, see and follow the Pottstown Health page on Facebook.
Dunham’s Sports Signs Coventry Shoppes’ Anchor Lease