Lillie&Lee survey finds pets are family for 95% of owners

A new survey from Lillie&Lee says pets are playing a deeper role in U.S. households, with 95% of respondents calling a pet a full family member and 83.4% saying pet care gives their day purpose. The findings point to a broader shift toward preventive wellness, stronger vet trust and more supplement use among pet owners.

Why it matters: - Pets are increasingly tied to emotional wellbeing, daily routine and a sense of purpose for owners. - The survey suggests pet care is moving beyond companionship and into a broader family-and-wellness identity. - The findings line up with wider market and cultural shifts around loneliness, aging and changing family structures.

What happened: - Lillie&Lee released its Pet Wellness Consumer Trends Report 2026 on July 21, 2026. - The survey found 95% of respondents strongly agree their pet is a full member of the family. - The survey found 83.4% strongly agree that caring for their pet gives their day a sense of purpose. - The findings are based on 4,095 qualified U.S. pet owners surveyed over two weeks in June 2026. - Lillie&Lee said the data reflects a growing shift in how people define family and wellbeing.

The details: - Nearly half of respondents said they took their pet for a routine preventive veterinary visit within the previous six months. - 71.6% said they trust their veterinarian “a great deal” or “a lot.” - More than 71% of respondents said they take supplements themselves. - 65.2% said they regularly give supplements to their pets. - The survey points to owners approaching personal and pet wellness in a similar way. - Packaged Facts estimates roughly one-third of U.S. pet owners purchase pet supplements annually. - The survey's higher supplement adoption suggests the respondents represent a particularly wellness-focused group. - Lee Asher, founder of Lillie&Lee, said the relationship with pets has evolved beyond companionship and creates routine, responsibility and purpose. - Asher also founded The Asher House, a nonprofit animal rescue and sanctuary that cares for more than 150 rescued animals. - The Asher House documents daily animal care across Instagram, Facebook and TikTok to a social following of millions.

Between the lines: - The survey appears to capture a consumer base that is already primed for preventive care and wellness products. - That matters for pet health brands because emotional attachment can shape spending on supplements, veterinary care and other recurring products. - The trust data suggests veterinarians remain a central influence even as owners expand into self-care-inspired pet wellness habits.

What's next: - Lillie&Lee is directing readers to the full survey for more detail. - The company will likely continue positioning pet care as part of a broader human-and-animal wellness market. - Lillie&Lee says its products include American-made, hemp-derived CBD and functional supplements for pets and the people who love them. - The company says its CBD line is third-party tested with publicly available Certificates of Analysis. - More information is available on lillieandlee.com.