After a stressful morning, Gab Klotz crawls into bed with her chihuahua and cats. Then she rests and destresses — petting and snuggling with the animals while listening to the loud purring from Monster, her always-content orange tabby.
“It relaxes me,” says the insurance property underwriter who works from home. “When I’m in bed with them, I can breathe and my heart rate slows. Afterward, I’m much calmer and ready to tackle the remainder of my day.”
Klotz’s experience hints at some of the ways pets contribute to improved well-being.
The connection between pets and health
Research into the connection between pets and human health dates back at least four decades, with dozens of studies pointing to several surprising benefits.
Pets may contribute to improved well-being in several ways, says Denise M. Millstine, M.D., who specializes in integrative medicine and health at Mayo Clinic. Pets can:
- Keep us company, which makes us feel less alone.
- Make us laugh and smile, which can lift mood and manage stress.
- Comfort us during hard times.
- Encourage us to exercise and get outdoors.
- Give us routine and purpose.
3 ways pets can improve your physical health
Pets do more than serve as loyal companions. They may also help protect heart and brain health.
Protecting heart health
Chronic stress can contribute to higher levels of inflammation, leading to poor blood vessel health. By flooding the body with adrenaline and cortisol, stress also increases heart rate and blood pressure.
However, pets can help counteract stress.
When you stroke or cuddle with your pet, your brain releases oxytocin. This hormone encourages you to draw closer to your loved ones and helps buffer stress. Pets can also inspire you to do other activities that are good for overall heart health, like getting enough exercise.
Slowing cognitive decline
Although not all studies agree, owning a pet may have a positive effect on cognitive health. A 2023 study found that older adults who owned a pet for over five years scored higher on regular cognitive tests than did older adults without pets. The study couldn’t say whether pet ownership caused better test scores, or why that may be the case. But the study authors listed potential pet effects like increased oxytocin, increased physical activity, decreased incidence of high blood pressure and lower stress as some possible contributing factors.
Mental health benefits of owning a pet
Pets need us, and it’s good to feel needed.
“They need to be fed and go out on a schedule,” says Dr. Millstine.
Particularly in times of stress and anxiety, it’s important to maintain routines, which can help center you and improve your sense of control over your life.
All of that might explain why pet owners report:
Improved stress management
As mentioned earlier, snuggling with a pet can release oxytocin, helping to reduce stress. In one study, interacting with a dog for 10 minutes helped college students feel less stressed before final exams.
Reduced loneliness
Loneliness and social isolation are stressors that increase risk for several diseases, including dementia, heart disease and stroke.
However, pets can help us feel less alone.
In a study of 448 people completed during the lockdowns of the COVID-19 pandemic, study participants completed online surveys that measured their mental health. According to the surveys, pet owners coped better with the isolation of lockdowns than did non-pet owners. People with pets also scored higher on measures of positive emotions and well-being.
Interestingly, the pet doesn’t have to be a living being to help people feel less alone.
For people who can’t care for a live pet, substitutes like pet robots also may help protect mental health. In one small study, older adults with dementia in a residential care facility were given robotic cat or dog companions. The animal robots had fake fur like stuffed animals, and were able to react to touch and sound through actions such as meowing, barking and wagging their tails. After living with these pets for six weeks, study participants scored lower on measures of depression and loneliness.
Social health benefits of owning a pet
Think about what happens when you walk a dog or share a photo of your cat on social media.
“People feel very open to approaching your pet, which can help you connect with other humans in your community,” says Dr. Millstine.
This boost in social health may contribute to improved physical and mental health. People experiencing loneliness or social isolation are more likely to develop heart disease, dementia and depression. On the flip side, people who feel more socially connected tend to live longer, healthier lives.
Pets are no panacea
Like prescription medications, pets offer many health benefits — yet they can also come with some undesirable side effects.
When pets sleep in your bed, you might find comfort. But pets also might move around at night and wake you repeatedly.
Like humans, pets age, which can lead to expensive veterinarian care and will eventually lead to the grief of loss.
If you’re less mobile, it may be difficult to care for a pet: Dogs need to go outdoors to relieve themselves and bags of litter and food may be heavy to lift.
Similarly, some pets can get in your way or jump on you, creating a fall risk. So when deciding whether to bring a new pet into your home, take the many pros into account — and weigh them against the cons.
Relevant reading
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