Last Updated: 06/05/2025
The Power of Pets
There has been much research into the human animal bond with discovery of both physical and mental health benefits. In this article we will look at how pets really can enrich our lives.
Author: Dr Teagan Lever BVSc (Hons)
Reading Time: 34 minutes - long read
It is well known that there are multiple human health and wellbeing benefits of pet ownership. Animal companionship can provide relaxation, entertainment, and even stress-relief. Many studies have shown that pets offer meaningful comfort for people which can help protect against loneliness and even depression.
There is nothing better than coming home to that wagging tail of a loyal companion, or that peaceful purr of your beloved feline, and that instant feeling of unconditional love.
There has been much research into the human animal bond with discovery of both physical and mental health benefits. In this article we will look at how pets really can enrich our lives.
Contents:
The human-animal bond
The American Veterinary Medical Association defines the human-animal bond as "A mutually beneficial and dynamic relationship between people and animals that is influenced by behaviours essential to the wellbeing of both."
The roots of the human-animal bond extend to around 14,000 years ago, as evidenced by palaeolithic remains. Detailed analysis indicates caring for a dog during illness, showcasing not only domestication but affection as well in ancient times.
What is so unique and exceptional about this bond is the fact that it is not only humans or only pets that benefit, it truly is mutual. It is easy to think of times in our lives where our pets have been there for us when we have needed them, whether it be that happy and expressive canine face when we return home, a purr and leg rub from our loving feline, those small moments can make a big difference. But we often don't realise that we, as humans, are just as important for our pets' wellbeing, they also crave that relationship with us.
Recent research by the Human Animal Bond Research Institute reveals that 95% of pet owners globally view their pets as family, emphasizing a strong, special bond. This connection goes beyond words, involving cues, body language, and a shared history, creating a dynamic relationship covering emotional, social, and physical elements.
Emotional well-being
The emotional well-being that can be developed by the human-animal bond is testament to the profound impact that pets can have on human mental and emotional states. The presence of pets truly does have a positive impact on our mood.
Our pets can provide us with a unique form of companionship characterised by unconditional acceptance. This relationship is free from judgement regardless of its features and flaws. And it is this acceptance that provides such a powerful source of emotional support for humans and helps to develop feelings of self-worth and belonging.
Research indicates that engaging with pets lowers stress levels, with affectionate interactions boosting oxytocin. This hormone offers various benefits, enhancing social interaction, eye contact, empathy, trust, and reducing depression. Studies, including those by Odendaal et al, demonstrate a notable increase in oxytocin levels after 5 to 24 minutes of stroking a dog, especially when interacting with one's own pet.
Pets can also provide us with a sense of security and purpose as well as companionship. Caring for our pets can help us feel needed and wanted which can be especially important for older people or those who live alone. It can help add structure to one's daily routine which can provide more focus, purpose, and a sense of achievement. Their reliance on us can be a reminder we need to look after ourselves to effectively take care of them thereby encouraging self-care.
Social benefits
Owning a pet can help to facilitate the meeting of new people, whether that be walking your dog or taking them to the dog park or even chatting to other owners when you take your cat to the vet. As well as now forums and online groups that people may join because of their pets. Healthy social bonds can play a key role in mental health, preventing loneliness, depression and even ill health.
Pets don't only benefit adults but can help build important social skills in children and promote interactions. It provides a common ground to talk about which can help grow self-esteem and self-confidence. Studies reveal that autistic children benefit significantly from having pets in social settings with other children, showing a remarkable decrease in anxiety. Pets, such as guinea pigs, serve as valuable social buffers, offering unique anti-anxiety effects for children with autism.
This social benefit that pets can have, can help to build communities in neighbourhoods. People with pets are more likely to know their neighbours by promoting conversations and interactions between strangers. It can also increase family bonding time such as going for walks together or playing with pets as a family and even going on holiday with our pets.
To find out more about going on holiday with your dog, read our article. Top Tips for Travelling with Your Dog.
Physical wellbeing
Most pets require regular exercise which means their owners tend to exercise along with them. Whether it be taking your dog for a walk or to the local dog park, to playing with your cat indoors making sure they get the required exercise they need too! It really is an excuse-proof beneficial dose of exercise for humans! And this activity has been shown to be associated with better physical health parameters such as a lower body mass index (BMI) for humans (Christian et and Curl et al).
Evidence suggests that dog owners in particular have been found to have better cardiovascular health markers (including a lower resting heart rate, lower blood pressure and lower cholesterol) and a lower risk of death of cardiovascular problems (Kramer et al).
Pets really are good for our health! There have been surveys performed Nationally in Australia which have shown that people in households which include a companion animal for at least 5 years have recorded significantly fewer doctor visits than people who have never had a companion animal. Furthermore, growing up with a dog (and other pets to a lesser extent) during infancy may help to strengthen the immune system and may reduce the risk of allergies in children. It has been observed that children's exposure to pets showed protective effects not only against the development of allergies but asthma as well (O'Connor et al).
Additionally, there are also health benefits attributed through caring for a pet. For example, a study showed that children with type 1 diabetes who had a structured program of caring for a pet fish showed improved glycaemic control. This structure of pet care transferred over to self-care and better management of their own health condition, namely the type 1 diabetes. Just another example of advantages that children can gain by taking on the responsibilities of caring for a pet.
Animal-assisted therapy
This is a therapeutic intervention that incorporates animals (usually dogs, cats, horses and birds) and humans into a treatment plan. The therapy can take place in many different forms, and it can help with a variety of experiences and conditions including:
Anxiety
Stress
Depression
ADHD
Addiction
Alzhimer's disease
Other medical conditions
The reason this therapy came out was rooted in the bond that can develop between animals and humans. Animals can help provide a sense of calm, comfort or safety and divert attention away from a stressful situation. Some benefits of this form of therapy include a better sense of self-worth and trust, stabilisation of emotions, improved communication, self-regulation and socialisation skills. Animal assisted therapy is used for children and the elderly as well as all ages in between.
There are other roles that animals can play in helping people including using animals to give comfort and affection to people in hospitals as well as service, assistance, and therapy animals. These animals live with families and are trained to do things like alert the family to early signs of a seizure, stop a child from wandering or interrupt repetitive behaviour amongst others benefits.
Educational opportunities
Pets can teach us all important life lessons. For children, pet ownership teaches responsibility, empathy and caring for another living being. As sad as it can be it also teaches the valuable lesson of grief and how to cope when someone you love dies.
Interactions with animals can help children build a sense of connection with their environment and learn about nature, ecology and life cycles, and relationships.
In the classroom, school pets can help introduce new and unique ways of learning. It can stimulate learning by inspiring and motivating as well as teaching responsibility.
Take home message
There are such diverse and unique advantages to owning pets. From benefiting physical health to improving emotional well-being, promoting social connections, and providing educational opportunities, pets have become cherished companions in our lives. Their significance extends to animal-assisted therapy and serving as emotional support animals, where their proven effectiveness helps alleviate stress and anxiety.
One could even argue that pets truly are the original therapists with fur and paws who dispense does of joy and healing vibes daily!
Further Reading
Want to read more? Check out our other articles:
10 Reasons Why Pets Are Great For Kids
Want to know more? Check out our Discover Page for more tips from our expert vets on keeping your pets happy and healthy.
References
1. Odendaal (2000); Odendaal and Meintjes (2003) (Odendaal J. S. (2000). Animal-assisted therapy â magic or medicine? J. Psychosom. Res. 49, 275â280 10.1016/S0022-3999(00)00183-5.
2.Odendaal J. S., Meintjes R. A. (2003). Neurophysiological correlates of affiliative behavior between humans and dogs. Vet. J. 165, 296â301 10.1016/S1090-0233(02)00237-X.
3.Christian HE, Westgarth C, Bauman A, Richards EA, Rhodes RE, Evenson KR, Mayer JA, Thorpe RJ (2013) Dog ownership and physical activity: a review of the evidence. Journal of Physical Activity and Health 10:750â759.
4.Curl AL, Bibbo J, Johnson RA (2017) Dog Walking, the HumanâAnimal Bond and Older Adultsâ Physical Health. The Gerontologist 57:930â939.
5.Kramer CK, Mehmood S, Suen RS (2019) Dog ownership and survival: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes 12:e005554.
6. Headey B, Grabka M, Kelley J, Reddy P, Tseng Y-P (2002) Pet ownership is good for your health and saves public expenditure too: Australian and German longitudinal evidence. Australian Social Monitor 5:93â99.
