New worldwide research by ROYAL CANIN® highlights gap in owners' views on pet aging - 38% think nothing can be done*, while 55% dodge thoughts or talks on it as too upsetting.¹
Even so, 74% give birthday gifts to pets** and nearly 30% spend more on pet gifts than kids'. ***
Action often waits though - 44% consider aging only after health problems start*, showing awareness gaps on timing.¹

Millions of dogs and cats adopted amid COVID-19 are entering midlife^2,4 - a phase recent veterinary research flags as vital for lifelong health³ - but fresh global data points to owners shying away from or ignoring this stage.

This ROYAL CANIN®-commissioned study finds 38% of dog and cat owners surveyed view pet aging as unavoidable, 66% get emotional about pets growing older, and 55% steer clear of the subject because it saddens them.

Owners remain passionate celebrants though - 74% buy gifts for pet milestones like birthdays**, 52% do so yearly, and 30% admit outspending on pet birthdays versus children's.***

That bond does not always spur timely health steps, however. Over 40% (44%) report pondering aging only when issues emerge*, signaling low awareness of proactive timing.

Vets stress this timing counts, especially for pandemic-era pets now at midlife - around 6-7 years old - when cellular aging shifts start subtly, pre-dating obvious symptoms.

Pandemic pet generation faces pivotal phase, sparking social media buzz

Pet adoptions boomed globally during COVID^2,4, and now these animals enter midlife, offering a chance to enhance a whole cohort's healthspan. TikTok trends reflect it, with owners noting six-year milestones for their pandemic companions.

Pets here often look and act fine, but Royal Canin Veterinary Symposium 2026 research shows aging kicks in gradually, earlier than thought. Early shifts - like cats' energy dips or dogs' mobility tweaks - precede clear signs, making midlife prime for wellbeing support.

Owners miss cues easily: 31% hold off action since pets 'seem okay', underscoring need for proactive shifts.

Pet aging modifiable - midlife steps yield big gains

Though aging happens, its course ties to nutrition, weight control, activity, and vigilant checkups with prompt tweaks.

Symposium 2026 findings spotlight 'healthspan' - healthy years before chronic ills hit. Midlife aid sustains later vitality.

Myths persist: 38% see aging as fixed*, 25% unaware risks like diabetes rise with age.****

Dr. Tanya Schoeman, Veterinary Specialist and Royal Canin Feline Health Expert, stated: 'Pet aging starts sooner than expected, in midlife when they still seem vibrant. This window allows easy proactive moves for enduring health.

'As vet and owner, I get fixating on now when pets thrive, and aging talk hurts. Yet early vet chats, checks, and change-spotting extend not just lifespan but quality life.

'Basics like routine visits, aging discussions with vets, and behavior/mobility/energy watches matter hugely.'

With pandemic pets at midlife, data frames aging as chance for actions keeping pets peak longer.

Editor notes:

Sources:

1. Censuswide poll of 19,012 global pet owners, March 2026.

2. Mars Petcare State of Pet Nation Report 2021.

3. Moniot D. et al. Aging modifiable: views on healthy aging in dogs/cats. Royal Canin Research et al.

4. Morgan L. et al. (2020) Human-dog ties in COVID-19: adoption surge in isolation. Humanities & Social Sciences Communications.

Study details:

Censuswide surveyed 19,012 cat/dog owners in UK, US, Australia, Canada, India, Mexico, China, South Korea, Thailand, France, Germany, Italy, Portugal, Spain, Brazil, Japan, Hong Kong, Taiwan. Fieldwork: 17.03.2026-24.03.2026. MRS/BPC member, Global Data Quality Pledge signer, follows MRS/ESOMAR codes.

*Combined 'strongly/somewhat agree'

**Combined 'every year/sometimes'

***Combined 'much/slightly more'

****Combined 'very/somewhat unaware'

About Royal Canin:

Royal Canin Division of Mars, Inc., leads Health Through Nutrition for cats/dogs via ROYAL CANIN®. Started 1968 by vet Dr. Jean Cathary, advances nutrition/science with pros for A BETTER WORLD FOR PETS.

Partners with breeders/vets for tailored nutrition, tools/services boosting pet health. Operates 120+ markets, 8,000+ staff including 400+ vets/nutritionists, 17 factories, 2 pet centers, R&D lab, 7 Mars labs.

Owns EUKANUBA (non-Europe) for dogs, U.S. DTC NOM NOM. Details at www.royalcanin.com.

About Mars, Incorporated:

$50bn+ family firm, 150,000+ Associates. Pet care/vet services, snacks/food globally. Brands: ROYAL CANIN®, PEDIGREE®, WHISKAS®, CESAR®, DOVE®, EXTRA®, M&M's®, SNICKERS®, BEN'S ORIGINAL. Networks: BANFIELD, BLUEPEARL, VCA, ANICURA vets; ANTECH® diagnostics. See www.mars.com. Follow on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube.