The prevalence of pets in households of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is compared to arthritic (non‐RA) and nonarthritic control patients in this epidemiologic survey. During the 5‐year period prior to diseaseonset RA patients had greater exposure to dogs, cats, or birds (combined), dogs, and sick animals than control patients. This finding raises the possibility that pets might serve as a reservoir for an infectious agent(s) capable of initiating RA.