Pet lovers often think of pets as a member of their own family. They take comfort from spending time with them, and their pets also give them a sense of responsibility. Pets can make us feel loved and happy. But is there anything that says that they’re good for our mental health?
Unsurprisingly, multiple studies have been conducted on this very subject. And perhaps even less surprisingly, the answer that they come to is often yes. The American Psychiatric Association’s Healthy Minds Monthly Poll in March of 2023 showed an “overwhelming positive mental health impact” that came from owning and spending time with pets.1
How Pets Improve Your Mental Health
The fact that pets can help improve your mental health is probably something that many pet owners already knew, even without the science to back it up. But let’s get into some of the specifics of how pets can improve your mental health.
Reduce Stress and Anxiety
In the Healthy Minds poll, a whopping 69% of respondents reported that having a pet helped to reduce their stress and anxiety. This is something that we’ve already had some scientific answers to. Older studies have shown that interaction with pets can lead to a decrease in cortisol — the stress hormone — as well as lower blood pressure.2
Cuddling with your cat or dog on the couch can be a soothing way to decompress after a stressful situation. And playing with your pets, doing something that makes them happy, may distract you from your own anxiety. Pets also often need to be walked, which can force you to get out of stale or cluttered surroundings and get some fresh air.
Increase Physical Activity
Dogs need to be walked at least once a day, especially if you don’t have a fenced in backyard space. They need to do their business, but they also need exercise and stimulation. You also need that exercise and stimulation, but may struggle to motivate yourself if you have depression. Having a dog can force you to go outside for a walk or a run, even if only briefly, thus creating a habit of physical activity. And it’s not just dogs. Some cat owners even leash train their cats to avoid dealing with the litter box!
Provide Love and Comfort
Pets may not love in the same way that humans do, but pet owners know that pets can be very loving and loyal. This can provide a sense of comfort. If you struggle to feel loved, having the unconditional love of a beloved pet can be encouraging. They offer a sense of togetherness, reducing feelings of isolation. And although it may feel silly to chat at our pets throughout the day, it can in fact help you to feel listened to.
Give a Sense of Responsibility
There is something fulfilling about taking care of another living being. But that doesn’t mean children for everyone. A pet is typically lower maintenance but can still give you a sense of responsibility and fulfillment. Your pet relies on you for food, for support, for direction. This can be motivating for those who struggle with depression, and it often gives those who struggle with suicide ideation an added reason to stay alive.
Are Cats or Dogs Better For Your Mental Health?
According to the Healthy Minds poll, cat and dog owners were roughly equal in their responses that pets had a positive impact on their mental health: 83% of dog owners and 82% of cat owners. Other pets — such as fish, reptiles, or turtles — ranked a bit lower in terms of mental health benefit: 62% of other pet owners responded positively in the survey. However, even 62% is still an overwhelming amount.
Cats and dogs tend to be the more common pets, especially when seeking a companion. While cats are lower maintenance and dogs tend to need more physical activity, pet owners of both seem to agree that they are both beneficial to mental health. This shows that the main mental health benefit that can be gained from having a pet is that of having a loyal companion, a source of love and support no matter what might be happening in your life.
While pets can be a benefit to your mental health, they are no replacement for mental health treatment. For therapy or medication management, as well as mental health assessments, Rivia Mind is here for you. Contact us today to learn more or to book a free 15-minute consultation with one of our clinicians
Resources:
- Americans Note Overwhelming Positive Mental Health Impact of their Pets in New Poll; Dogs and Cats – American Psychiatric Association
- The Power of Pets: Health Benefits of Human-Animal Interactions – News in Health
