Pandemic Pets Reach Midlife, but Owners Overlook Critical Health Window

Event summary

  • Royal Canin's global survey of 19,012 pet owners reveals 38% believe nothing can be done about pet ageing, while 55% avoid thinking about it due to sadness.
  • 74% of owners buy gifts for pet birthdays, with 30% spending more on pets than children, yet 44% only consider ageing once health issues arise.
  • Veterinary experts highlight midlife (6-7 years) as a critical window for long-term health, with biological changes beginning before visible signs appear.
  • Royal Canin's Veterinary Symposium 2026 presented research on 'healthspan', emphasizing proactive care through nutrition, weight regulation, exercise, and early intervention.

The big picture

Royal Canin's research underscores a significant gap in pet owner awareness about midlife health, a critical phase for long-term wellbeing. As the pet care industry continues to grow, driven by pandemic adoption trends, the focus on healthspan presents a strategic opportunity for proactive nutrition and monitoring solutions. With over 19,000 pet owners surveyed globally, the data highlights both an emotional connection to pets and a lack of actionable insight, creating a market ripe for targeted interventions.

What we're watching

Awareness Campaigns
How Royal Canin will leverage TikTok and other platforms to educate owners on midlife pet health.
Product Innovation
Whether Royal Canin can develop targeted nutrition solutions for midlife pets to capitalize on this health window.
Market Expansion
The pace at which Royal Canin can scale its healthspan-focused offerings across its 120+ markets.