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PR Newswire·

October Consumer Research Confirms Pet Health Remains Non-Negotiable Household Priority

ELAN
  • Elanco Animal Health released findings from a U.S. survey of 2,018 consumers conducted in mid-October 2026.
  • 93% of pet owners maintained or increased spending on their pets over the past three months despite economic pressures.
  • 32% of surveyed owners reported increased pet spending in the last three months, with 93% expecting to maintain or increase spending in the year ahead.
  • Only 7% of consumers indicated they would cut pet health spending under economic pressure, compared to significantly higher percentages for dining out (54%), travel (44%), 2 digital subscriptions (33%).
  • 87% of pet owners prioritize their pet's wellbeing equally to their own, while 63% consider it more important.
  • Primary spending motivations include keeping pets healthy and living longer (65%), seeing them happy (59%), 2 treating them as family (54%).
  • 38% of pet owners shifted medication purchases outside veterinary clinics in the past one to two years.
  • Medication purchasing channels now include in-person clinics (37%), online pet specialty pharmacies (31%), mass retail (28%), physical pet specialty retail (27%), home delivery via vet pharmacy (17%), 2 general e-commerce (25%).
  • A veterinarian's recommendation remains the #1 reason for switching medications, outweighing discounts or rebates (3%).
  • 21% of all surveyed consumers expect to add a pet in the coming year, with 25% of current owners planning to adopt another.
  • Elanco executives stated that vet visits are no longer a leading economic indicator for pet spending due to omnichannel access shifts.
Company
Elanco Animal Health
Keywords
Elanco Animal Health