Global research confirms the strong bond between people and pets

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The results of a new survey commissioned by the Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI) and Zoetis demonstrate that the human-animal bond is strong, that pets positively impact their owners’ health, and that stronger bonds are linked to improved veterinary care around the world. The survey was conducted in 2021 by CM Research Ltd and collected responses from 16,140 pet owners and 1,207 small animal veterinarians from around the world.

Survey results were released at the North American Veterinary Community’s 2022 Veterinary Meeting and Expo in Orlando, Florida. Investigators found the following:

• 95% of respondents consider their pet a part of their family
• 92% say there’s no reason they would ever be convinced to give up their pet
• 90% say they have a close relationship with their pet
• 86% would pay whatever it takes if their pet needed extensive veterinary care
• 76% say they would make major life changes for their pet, if necessary
• 87% have experienced the mental health and/or physical health benefits of the human-animal bond
• 98% reported at least 1 specific benefit to their health from their pets including increased happiness, reduced loneliness, and decreased stress

According to Michael McFarland, DVM, DABVP, global chief medical officer of Zoetis and chair of the HABRI board of trustees, the survey results of the survey are significant. “We have documented more comprehensively than ever before that the human-animal bond is universal across countries and cultures,” he said, in a joint press release from HABRI and Zoetis.

Survey responses came from participants from 8 different countries: the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Spain, Brazil, Japan, and China. Participants in the survey were the primary caregivers of their pets, and the samples were nationally representative by gender, age and region.

The survey relied on the Human-Animal Bond Score (HABSCORE), a new scale that expands on previous scientifically validated scales to measure the human-animal bond more precisely among pet owners. The HABSCORE examines the human-animal bond across 4 distinct dimensions: Attachment, humanization, commitment, and integration. The researchers divided respondents into three HABSCORE tiers—low (less than 55), mid (55-62), high (63 or more)—to look at how the relative strength of the bond can impact human and animal health.

In the survey results, the total average HABSCORE was 57.9/70.0, indicating the human-animal bond is strong globally and found no strong cultural differences in terms of how the bond is experienced and expressed.

“The strength of the human-animal bond in pet owners strongly correlated with higher rates of veterinary treatment for both preventive care and specific conditions,” said Steve Feldman, President of HABRI, in the joint press release. “This is the strongest evidence to date showing the impact of the bond for veterinary medicine.”

Additionally, the survey results found a link between the strength of the human-animal bond and better veterinary care for pets: The stronger the bond, the higher number of annual vet visits. Of the survey respondents that visit the veterinarian 2 or more times per year 71% were in the higher bond tier, while 62% were in the mid bond tier, and 45% were in the lower bond tier.

The survey found highly bonded pet owners are more likely to report that they provide their pet with preventive care and are most likely to have consulted a veterinarian for specific symptoms experienced by their pet, when compared to pet owners in the lower third of the HABSCORE Scale.

Survey responses from veterinarians found that the majority believe in the importance of the human-animal bond for their practice and profession. Eighty-nine percent of veterinarian respondents said they believe a strong human-animal bond increases pet welfare, and 95% credit the human-animal bond as the reason they joined the profession.

Other notable results from veterinarian responses include the following:

• 81% of veterinarians are aware of the scientific evidence showing mutual health benefits from the human-animal bond
• 71% believe discussing the human-animal bond is valuable
• 43% discuss the science behind the human-animal bond with their clients
• 58% believe talking about the human-animal bond encourages clients to provide the best care for their pets
• 53% believe talking about the human-animal bond builds good relationships with their clients
• Many veterinarians would be interested in human-animal bond certification or CE. This is particularly high in China (99%), Brazil (98%), and Spain (86%)

“The pandemic has elevated the role of the human-animal bond in people’s lives, and our data shows this is being felt on a global scale, with incredible consequences that can benefit human and pet health worldwide,” McFarland said, in the joint press release. “The direct correlation between the strength of the human-animal bond and better veterinary care means that veterinarians, by communicating and championing the human-animal bond, are critical to the effort and to improving health for both people and companion animals.”

• The survey shows a link between knowledge of the science behind the human-animal bond and the desire to provide better care for pets.When asked about how greater knowledge of the science of the human-animal bond would impact their future behavior, pet owners responded as follows:
• 79% would be more likely to maintain their pet’s health, including regular check-ups with their veterinarian
• 59% would spend more money on their pet’s care
• 58% are familiar with the science behind the human-animal bond
• 48% would like to know more about the science behind the human-animal bond

“The findings are overwhelmingly clear that the human-animal bond has the potential to positively impact animal welfare and human health on a global scale,” said Feldman, in the joint press release. “HABRI clearly has a role to play in sharing the science of the human-animal bond with veterinarians and pet owners. We look forward to working with Zoetis and all of our partners to share this information with an international audience. Together, we can make a difference for people and pets worldwide.”

Reference

New Research Confirms the Strong Bond Between People and Pets is a Global Phenomenon,95% Worldwide Say Pets Are Family. News release. HABRI and Zoetis. January 16, 2022. Accessed January 19, 2022.