Mental Health Benefits of Having a Pet

Pets have become more loved and a part of the family unit across American society for generations. In fact, according to Forbes, pet ownership in the U.S. has jumped significantly from 56% of the U.S households in 1988 to 66% of the U.S. households in 2024. As of 2024 (Megna & Bailie, 2024). It is extremely important to know what responsibilities of pet ownership are and how to be able to assess if you can meet the needs for that animal to live a safe and happy life with you. If you can assess that you will be able to provide for all the needs of the animal, we then often see mental health and/or emotional benefits of owning a pet. Research shows us that these mental and emotional health benefits of pet ownership can include but are not limited to: decreasing stress and anxiety symptoms, increased chance of improving physical health, and decreasing loneliness and depressive symptoms.

Reducing Symptoms of Stress and Anxiety

Pet ownership has been shown to be supportive of reducing stress and anxiety symptoms. Typical routines or bonding activities you would engage with a pet, such as petting, them sitting on your lap, or playing with the pet, are shown to support nervous system regulation over time and practice regular movement-based coping strategies. Creating attachments with animals is also shown to improve stress and anxiety symptoms over time. In fact it has been studied how our brain reacts to typical owner and pet interactions, “Research has shown that simply petting a dog lowers the stress hormone cortisol, while the social interaction between people and their dogs actually increases levels of the feel-good hormone oxytocin (the same hormone that bonds mothers to babies)” (2024). It is important to note that pet ownership is definitely not the only thing that will decrease clinical anxiety symptoms, just that it can be supportive of this. It is recommended if you experience clinical anxiety symptoms to have other adaptive coping strategies and seek professional support if needed.

Increasing Movement and Physical Health

Pet ownership has been shown to be supportive of increasing the owner’s physical fitness and health. With the disclaimer, this occurs when the owner is properly caring for the animal and all of the animal’s physical needs. Animals often need exercise to be healthy themselves, therefore, taking your pet on regular walks, runs, hikes, or even just throwing a ball for them can be a fun way to keep them and yourself healthy. Many people find it harder to find motivation for taking care of themselves physically through regular movement and pet ownership can be an extra motivation to take care of yourself and your animal. Through these regular increased daily movement patterns involved with pet ownership, it has also been studied that this can lower blood pressure and boost heart health as well (2024). These physical health benefits of pet ownership are important to highlight because we know how intertwined our physical and mental health are.

Decreasing Loneliness and Depressive Symptoms

Simple acts that are very important in the responsibilities of owning an animal such as getting out of bed each day, feeding them, and maintaining a schedule for the animal can give owners a sense of purpose and accomplishment; Which in turn then can reduce feelings of worthlessness and/or other depressive symptoms. The bond and attachment through animals can be hugely beneficial in decreasing loneliness and learning new skills to open self up to creating other attachments. For example, it is also beneficial to “socialize” your animals to other animals or people, which can be a great opportunity for yourself to have fun socializing time with others as well.

As a reminder, pet ownership comes with a lot of responsibilities and it is important for you to know if you can honestly fulfill them to provide a safe and healthy home for your new addition. Many people can rise to the occasion with pet ownership and along the way improve their mental health as well.

Jamie Lingenfelter, BSW, MSW, LCSW

References

Megna, M., & Bailie, K. (2024, October 29). Pet ownership statistics 2024. Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/advisor/pet-insurance/pet-ownership-statistics/#:~:text=Pet%20ownership%20in%20the%20U.S.,part%20of%20their%20owners’%20lives.

The Friend Who Keeps You Young. Johns Hopkins Medicine. (2024, June 20). https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/the-friend-who-keeps-you-young#:~:text=Research%20has%20shown%20that%20simply,that%20bonds%20mothers%20to%20babies).