It’s no shock that the talent landscape has shifted dramatically in the last five years and many employees are reassessing their work-life balance and seeking careers not just based on salary alone. In fact, in a recent report it was discovered that 71% of companies are prioritizing nonfinancial aspects of compensation, and that 85% of HR leaders consider personalized benefits essential.
Salary alone is no longer enough to attract and retain top performers in today’s competitive talent market. That’s why it is essential for HR leaders to think beyond financial compensation and table stakes benefits.
That’s where Total Rewards steps in to offer a holistic approach that strategizes compensation, well-being, development opportunities, and recognition programs that continually enhance the employee experience. As HR leaders strive to attract, retain, and develop their workforce it’s essential to understand how to serve the whole person. Family benefits, especially high impact ones like pet benefits, can be significant influences that can address equity, financial stability, and generational differences. Benefits are tools that can be honed to meet evolving needs, boosting productivity while reducing turnover.
Airvet’s recent 2025 Pet Benefits Survey uncovered significant findings and learnings when it comes to the impact of pet benefits and supported pet parenthood on your population. Keep reading to learn more, or download the survey here.
Pet parenthood can be incredibly rewarding, but also disruptive for employees at work. 92% of pet parents feel stress when their pets are sick. This stress leaves them distracted and less engaged, yet most lack access to simple solutions that make a difference.
Many organizations have a robust total rewards ecosystem that brings together different benefits including financial, time off, and family benefits. However, when pet parents aren’t supported in the office other benefits can suffer.
Because 70% of employees are also pet parents, a huge swath of your population may not be able to take full advantage of other benefits due to caring for their pet. Take, for example, a company that has a financial wellness benefit that includes coaching. Over 55% of pet parents have had to use emergency savings and/or credit to pay for pet care this year, and 81% of pet parents spent over $500 on unexpected pet care this year. The work they’ve been doing with a financial advisor may be derailed by a single emergency visit, pushing them further away from their financial goals.
Pet care challenges can significantly impact the physical, mental, and financial health of employees when left unaddressed.
62% of pet parents say that worrying about their pet’s care has disrupted their sleep, appetite, or overall health. This kind of stress can drive up healthcare claims, with stressed employees costing employers $3,700 or more each year in additional healthcare expenses. Sick days add up too, averaging $340 per day.
Burnout costs employers between $4,000–$21,000 per employee, while presenteeism alone can cost $660 per person each year. Instant access to professional veterinary advice reduces uncertainty, restores focus, and supports mental wellbeing. In fact, 96% of pet parents say they feel peace of mind after using Airvet. That improved focus and reduced time away from work translates into employer savings of $400–$2,000 per employee annually.
Accessible, on-demand vet care helps catch issues early, offer preventive care options, and avoid unnecessary in-person visits. For employees, that can mean saving $1,000 or more per pet, per year. For employers, it can mean reducing financial stress-driven productivity losses by $1,000–$5,000 per employee annually.
By reducing pet-related stress, improving work-life balance, and fostering healthier habits like pet ownership, employers can support a workforce that’s healthier, more rested, and less lonely. The ripple effect? Lower healthcare claims and up to $3,700 in savings per employee annually.
When benefits don’t align with what employees truly value, retention and recruitment both suffer. Turnover is expensive, costing $4,000–$21,000 per employee, but offering a pet benefit sends a powerful signal of empathy and cultural alignment. It can be a decision maker for top candidates and encourage current employees to stay. Even a modest 5% reduction in turnover can save more than $200,000 for a company per 1,000 employees.
Adding pet benefits into your Total Rewards strategy isn’t just about keeping pace with the market, it’s about leading it. By integrating pet benefit solutions like Airvet, you create a workplace that actively removes barriers to focus, reduces healthcare costs, and enhances employee engagement. The result? A more loyal, effective, and healthy workforce, and a stronger employer brand that repeatedly attracts and retains top talent.
