A research team from the Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology published findings in the American academic journal PLOS ONE, showing from a survey of 460 seniors that older adults who own cats or dogs spend only half as much on elder care services compared to non-pet owners.



Survey Findings: Pet Owners Spend Less on Elder Care Fees

Researchers surveyed 96 pet-owning seniors aged 65+ and 364 seniors without pets living in Hatoyama Town, Saitama Prefecture, Japan, tracking their usage of Japan’s long-term care insurance over 17 months.
The two groups had no meaningful gaps in age distribution, chronic disease rates or official care-needs certification. Still, major differences emerged in monthly care insurance spending:
  • Pet owners: average 676 Japanese Yen (roughly $3.3 USD) per month in care expenses
  • Non-pet owners: average 1,420 Japanese Yen (around $6.9 USD) monthly, nearly double the pet owner cost
Yutaka Taniguchi, a co-researcher from Japan’s National Institute for Environmental Studies, noted that building community conditions making pet ownership accessible for seniors could effectively curb public social security spending. Caring for pets gives seniors daily responsibility, keeps them active and sticks them to regular routines, which in turn slashes reliance on paid elderly care services.
Monthly medical bills showed no statistically significant difference between groups:
  • Pet owners: ~48,054 Yen ($234 USD) monthly in medical costs
  • Non-pet owners: ~42,260 Yen ($206 USD) monthly
Breakdown of senior pet ownership in the study: 42% dog-only owners, 24% cat-only owners, and 24% own both cats and dogs. The research team plans follow-up studies across other Japanese regions and overseas to explore how care costs shift by pet type.

Dog Ownership Linked to Lower Disability Risk Among Seniors

A separate 2022 study analyzed health data from over 11,000 Japanese seniors aged 65 to 84, tracking pet ownership and age-related disabilities. Results found dog owners faced roughly 50% lower odds of developing disabilities versus people who never owned dogs — this correlation held true after adjusting for marital status, chronic illnesses and daily outdoor activity levels. Seniors who take regular dog walks see an even bigger reduction in disability risk.
Notably, cat ownership showed no connection to disability risk, and neither dog nor cat ownership lowered overall mortality risk for older adults. Experts conclude dog ownership paired with routine walking supports physical wellness and prevents age-related functional impairment.

Animal-Assisted Therapy Takes Root in Japanese Senior Living Communities

Thanks to pets’ proven physical and mental benefits for seniors, several Japanese assisted living facilities now welcome resident-owned companion animals with customized living layouts and services.
One standout community, Heartland Emisia 久我山 with Doggie, lets aging residents move in alongside their pet dogs with specialized upgrades beyond standard age-friendly housing:
  • Enclosed, escape-proof dog beds, designated indoor pet restrooms and pet-exclusive balcony access
  • Slip-resistant flooring across all indoor spaces; seamless scratch-proof furniture and claw-resistant wall coverings to protect seniors and pets alike
  • Custom air-freshening systems to manage pet odors while maintaining clean indoor air
  • An outdoor dog run laid with natural turf
The facility partners with third-party professional pet care providers to cover daily grooming and veterinary care for residents’ dogs. It also offers dedicated pet trust planning, securing lifelong care for dogs if their senior owners pass away.