A recent survey of 1,250 U.S. pet owners found that more than 5 in 6 (83.6%) respondents said their pet is a member of their family. This sentiment is consistent with a 2023 study from the American Psychiatric Association, which found that 88% of Americans feel the same.

Pets and Family Life

For many, the bond with their pet goes even deeper. More than half (55.8%) of respondents in the survey said they viewed their pet like a child. This parallel demonstrates that pets maintain a strong, emotionally driven role in the lives of their families regardless of their makeup.

Pets have become woven into the fabric of everyday American life, with pets occupying hearts in nearly 95 million households across the U.S. The relationship between pets and pet parents transcends fellowship, influencing stress levels, mental health, and even sense of purpose.

Pet Health and Well-being

More than 5 out of 6 pet parents (83.8%) say they find purpose and companionship in caring for their pet, and more than 4 out of 5 (82.5%) report their pet’s health directly affects their own stress levels and emotional state. Nearly 4 in 5 (78.6%) go so far as to say they prioritize their pet’s health and well-being much like their own.

However, the strong commitment to pet health doesn’t eliminate the financial realities of caring for a pet and the obstacles it can create. More than 2 in 5 (41.7%) of pet parents have delayed or skipped veterinary care due to financial pressures, while one quarter (23.7%) say an unexpected vet bill of any dollar amount would cause financial strain.

Original reporting: KRDO (Colorado Springs metro) — read the source article.