A new economic report commissioned by the Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI) examined the health care savings associated with pet ownership in the United States. Overall, the report found that pet ownership could save the U.S. healthcare system $22.7 billion annually.
The report, made possible by a grant from Banfield Pet Hospital, was co-authored by Terry L. Clower, PhD and Tonya E. Thornton, PhD, MPPA, both of whom have extensive expertise in economic research and public policy , according to a HABRI release.1 The finding that pet ownership can save humans money on their own health care comes from the fact that pet owners have better overall health in the form of fewer visits doctor visits per year and also specific savings for key public health issues affecting millions of Americans, including reduced obesity, reduced infections and better mental health for children, seniors and American veterans.
![](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/0vv8moc6/dvm360/dbf78126d5b278dc93d894d0dead0b78a7b31fa3-1168x452.png?fit=crop&auto=format)
“The results of this analysis are conservative and likely underestimate the positive health care savings associated with pet ownership,” Clower said in the release. “At present, there is not yet sufficient data available to calculate the direct health cost savings associated with some of the known health benefits of pet ownership and we believe that future analyzes will show even greater economic benefits. »
“In commissioning this economic report, we are documenting the important role of companion animals as valuable contributors to public health,” Steven Feldman, president of HABRI, said in the release. “This data suggests that there should be stronger societal support for keeping pets and people healthy together.”1
To conduct their research, the authors first reviewed relevant peer-reviewed academic and professional literature regarding the health benefits of pet ownership. Next, they reviewed the most recent cost estimates for health services and treatments related to the health conditions identified in the literature review, based on a review of public health care cost data. Data on pet ownership was also identified from publicly available sources. Estimated savings to the U.S. healthcare system associated with pet ownership were calculated using these data.
Reference
A new report shows the major economic benefits associated with pet ownership. Press release. Human-Animal Bonds Research Institute. Published May 23, 2023. Accessed June 8, 2023. https://habri.org/pressroom/20230523