Most Canadian seniors recognize pet benefits but under half have one

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Despite a recent Ipsos poll showing that 84% of Canadians aged 55 and older recognize the mental health benefits of pet ownership, only 44% actually have a furry companion, with 21% citing age as a barrier to having a forever friend.

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“One of the hesitations that many older adults have is that they’re concerned that if they were hospitalized or if they pass away, or even other absences like just even travelling, that they may have difficulty properly caring for those animals,” said Philip Tedeschi, a University of Denver professor, and founder of the Institute for Human-Animal Connection.

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“So one of these things that we’ve seen that’s quite an interesting trend is we’ve seen older adults who share a pet with another friend so that they can have a safety plan in case they were unable to take care of their pets and as a result feel a little bit more assured.”

There are physical risks, too.

“The other documented reason is that some companion animals increase the risk of things like taking a spill, taking a fall. And so dogs are a little bit more risky in that regard than cats,” Tedeschi said.

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Still, the professor said pets offer comfort, companionship, and a renewed sense of purpose, especially for older adults looking to stay active and connected in retirement.

Physical health benefits, including increased exercise and lower stress levels, are vital to 49% of those pet owners over 55, says the Ipsos poll.

“These include everything from reducing blood pressure, reducing cortisol levels, increasing physical activity, improved cardiovascular health,” Tedeschi said.

“Persons who have a dog, for example, are much more likely to get up and out of their house and moving around. In fact, we know that those individuals have greater longevity in most circumstances. ”

SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL BENEFITS

Eighty per cent of Canadian pet owners over 55 also acknowledge social and emotional gains, increased socialization, and emotional support, according to the Ipsos poll.

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“So somebody’s much more likely to have social interaction with other people when they have a dog with them,” Tedeschi said.

“That’s why a lot of us like know our neighbour’s dogs names before we know our neighbours. Companion animals play a part. It’s sort of a social bonding dimension. People who have their dog with them, always have something to talk about and they often will share these interests and have these interactions often twice as much as somebody who might be walking alone.”

And choosing a dog over a cat can make all the difference in the world for an older pet owner who Tedeschi advises to start by contacting their local shelter expert.

“Dogs may require a little bit more active care,” Tedeschi said. “And yet cats are living comfortably and in good shape in relatively small apartments.”

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For older Canadians aged 55 and older, expense (25%) is the main reason for not having a pet, according to the Ipsos poll.

“Shelters also often provide support in the form of things like veterinary care and ongoing transportation, to and from,” Tedeschi said.

Older adults not ready for full-time animal companionships can also enjoy them while earning extra money by pet sitting through places like Rover, dubbed Canada’s largest pet-loving community.

“One of the things the Rover program does is its does provide the confidence and support so we can have a companion animal safely and care for them properly,” Tedeschi said.

“And often simply coming and supporting them by doing something like walking them. It doesn’t necessarily include overnights. It can but doesn’t always.”

The Ipsos survey was conducted on behalf of HomeEquity Bank from July 30-Aug 11, 2025 with 1,501 Canadians aged 18 and older. This survey has a credibility interval of +/- 3.1 per cent 19 times out of 20.

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