A recent survey of 1,000 pet owners and 1,000 non-pet owners yielded some pretty surprising results.
People who have furry friends spend more time outdoors, exercise more, feel loved, and generally enjoy life more. Become happier The percentage of people who own dogs or cats is higher than those who do not, often by a large margin.
This news comes as no surprise to Bill Henry, PhD, a professor of psychological sciences at Metropolitan State University of Denver and animal expert, who explains to RED why pets have such a positive impact on our lives.
Research shows that people who have pets are more likely to feel loved and be happier. Why?
To put it into context, connecting with other organisms is essential for our mental and physical health. This likely stems from our evolutionary history, when forming meaningful relationships conferred a significant survival advantage on our ancestors.
As social creatures, we find strength and comfort in others. That’s why people with strong social connections are less likely to suffer from depression, anxiety, addiction, and a variety of diseases, and they live longer. And frankly, the mental and physical health benefits we get from close relationships with other people can also be obtained by forming deep emotional attachments with pets.
Why do animals seem to be particularly good at making us happy?
Domestic animals show us unconditional affection. They love us, no matter what our faults and weaknesses. Unlike humans, they don’t criticize our behavior, they don’t disappoint us, they don’t stare at their phones while we’re talking, and they would never “ignore” us, even if they knew how.
In short, feeling valued and viewed favorably by others is crucial for our mental health. And fortunately, this is one of the greatest services pets provide us. Pets don’t judge. It doesn’t matter how we look, how much we weigh, or what clothes we wear. They just love us. Our pets show us a pure and unwavering devotion that we rarely experience in other relationships, especially as we become adults.
Pets have become so strongly linked to mental health because their loyalty, lack of judgement, and very nature make them the definition of a great friend, and in doing so, they serve a fundamental psychological need in all of us.
How does the responsibility that comes with having a pet affect the owner?
Having a sense of responsibility towards an animal can serve as a buffer against the detrimental effects of various physical or mental health conditions. For one thing, people with depression often lose motivation, and encouraging them to be actively involved in life when all they want to do is stay in bed all day is a common therapeutic challenge. In those cases, having another living thing to care for can provide that vital spark of motivation they need. Essentially, it’s easier to tell yourself, “I have to move because my cat needs me,” than it is to say, “I should move because it will make me feel better.”
Many of us lead relatively static lives, primarily indoors, so what benefits might we gain from being encouraged by our pets to get outside and experience nature on a regular basis?
Research clearly shows a link between outdoor activity and a variety of positive physical and mental health benefits, especially among older populations. Going for a walk is probably one of the best and easiest ways to keep your body and mind healthy.
The simple fact is that having a dog means you get more opportunities to get outdoors on a regular basis, and occasionally even take your dog on long treks into the mountains, which represents a huge win for both your health and happiness.
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Owning a dog gives you more opportunities to meet and talk with other people, but with isolation and loneliness among American adults reaching new heights, how valuable is having a dog?
A little anecdote: My wife and I once shared a taxi in Istanbul with a driver who spoke some English. All was going well until my wife mentioned that she was a veterinarian. The driver’s face lit up, and for the next 30 minutes he talked about various pets, a huge smile on his face the whole time. By the end of the ride, we had formed a real bond with this man that would never have happened without our shared love of animals.
Animals bring us together. For many of us, a half hour at the local dog park is a vital source of human interaction. For some, it’s a chance to forge new friendships. Here in Denver, many groups are using social media to organize pet-related social activities, such as meetups for owners of specific dog breeds, and it’s not just dogs they’re hoping to get along with. (And by the way, there’s nothing more adorable than the sight of 40+ corgis romping around together.)
A study found that people who own pets are 11% more likely to be in a relationship — one explanation is that pet owners appear happier and more attractive.
I think this works in a couple of ways: First, certainly, having a pet may make someone appear more attractive in certain situations, but as we’ve said, just having a pet makes you more likely to meet other people, which in itself increases your chances of forming a romantic relationship.
However, this scenario could just as easily be true the other way around. I’m not aware of any studies on the subject, but I imagine that many couples, especially those in the early stages of a committed relationship, will get a pet to “enhance” their family before having kids. So it may be that you’re more likely to get a pet while in a relationship, rather than the other way around. But whatever the case may be, getting a furry friend could be a good decision for you.
