Pet Ownership's $22.7 Billion Annual Health Cost Savings in the U.S.

Pet Ownership's Significant Economic Impact on Healthcare Costs

A recent report from the Animal Bond Research Institute HABRI, supported by a grant from Banfield Pet Hospital, reveals substantial economic benefits associated with pet ownership in the U.S., indicating that pets contribute $22.7 billion annually to saving healthcare costs.

Report Overview:

The HABRI's Health Care Cost Savings Report highlights not only the improved overall health of pet owners leading to fewer annual doctor visits but also underscores specific savings from reduced obesity, decreased infections, and enhanced mental health for children, seniors, and veterans.

Key Findings:

1. Health Benefits and Financial Impact:

   • General Health Improvement: Pet ownership leads to approximately $15 billion in cost savings through fewer annual doctor visits per pet owner.

   • Obesity Reduction in Dogs: Dog owners who regularly walk their pets benefit from lower obesity rates, equating to a savings of roughly $4.5 billion.

   • Infection Control: A 14 decrease in C. difficile reinfection cases among hospitalized individuals translates into savings of approximately $90.47 million.

2. Mental Health and Wellbeing:

   • Child Anxiety Reduction: Children ages 8-10 living with dogs have a lower probability of being diagnosed with anxiety, correlating to estimated annual mental health care cost savings of $672 million.

   • Senior Indepence: Older adults with pets are less prone to loneliness and social isolation, which could save the Medicare system up to $1.8 billion annually.

3. Veteran Support:

   • PTSD Reduction: Pet ownership among veterans leads to an estimated decrease in PTSD treatment costs by approximately $688 million due to the support provided by service animals and emotional support animals.

4. Total Savings:

   • In total, pet ownership contributes to a staggering savings of $22.7 billion for the U.S. healthcare system each year.

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The study was meticulously conducted by experts in economic and public policy researchTerry L. Clower, Ph.D., and Tonya E. Thornton, Ph.D., MPPA. They analyzed data on pet ownership rates, health condition impacts, population demographics, and service costs to quantify the benefits.

Additional Insights:

The report also includes an extensive review of academic literature detling the health advantages of pet ownership and outlines cost savings for additional identified benefits that were challenging to quantify.

Accessibility Resources:

• Full Report: Accessible hereinsert_link_here

• Infographic: Viewable hereinsert_link_here

About HABRI:

Founded with a mission to foster research into the connections between pets and health, HABRI is dedicated to improving public policies and increasing funding for scientific studies related to pets.

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