Pets and comfort: survey finds 61% of owners say animals provide major comfort

A February 2026 survey of 1,000 U.S. pet owners found 61% say their pet provides a great deal of comfort and 96% said their pet is a key part of mental well-being.

When recovery happens at home, the environment matters. Hospital discharge rates are rising and chronic conditions are increasingly managed in living rooms rather than clinics. A February 2026 survey of 1,000 U.S. adults who currently own a pet, shared by Burd Home Health, finds many owners report their animals play an active role in comfort and daily routines. Those responses reflect how pets are becoming part of how people experience care and emotional support at home. Key findings: - 61% of pet owners said their pet provides a great deal of comfort. - 96% of respondents said their pet is a key part of their mental well-being. - 72% reported staying more consistent with medication, hydration, or meals because their pet kept them on a routine; among Gen Z owners this rose to 78%. - 75% believe pets reduce loneliness for people who spend significant time at home, and 60% believe their pet can sense when they are not feeling well. - 58% said it would be extremely important that an at-home care plan be pet-friendly, and 98% said pets deserve more recognition as part of support for people healing at home. - The survey sampled 1,000 pet owners on Feb. 4, 2026, and responses were analyzed by age, gender, and income to identify trends. Summary: The survey indicates pets contribute to daily routines and emotional support as more healthcare shifts to home settings, and many owners say pet-friendly care is important. Undetermined at this time.