How Can Pet Ownership Help the Health of Pet Owners?
There's no doubt that owning pets can bring a lot of joy, happiness, and laughter. Researchers have been looking into whether there's a correlation between owning pets and health benefits for pet owners, and the results have been promising. From decreased rates of depression to lowered blood pressure, there are plenty of possible benefits to explore.
Getting a pet is often driven by a longing for companionship: someone to relax on the couch with, take for a walk, or share sporting activities with. Regardless of the reason, research suggests that humans often benefit from reduced loneliness when they have a friend to enjoy outings with. This was ultimately demonstrated during the pandemic, when studies showed that pet owners experienced lower levels of loneliness and felt less isolated than non-owners. Since humans are social creatures who rely on relationships with others to lead a fulfilling life, this can greatly benefit mental wellbeing.
Those with pets, especially dogs, also tend to lead more active lifestyles, walking more often than those without pets. Owning a dog comes with a sense of obligation to walk them, although not every dog requires the same amount of physical exercise. Some pets enjoy outings with their owners to off-leash areas, dog parks, or similar spots, which provides additional physical activity for both. Research doesn't show consistent results for how much effect this has on physical wellbeing overall, but pet owners tend to stay in better shape compared to non-pet owners.
Other findings on pet ownership and health point to a strong correlation between owning a pet and a reduced risk of cardiovascular-related death. Pet ownership may also lower the risk of developing hypertension and can improve blood pressure, especially in children and the elderly. Among those with a prior cardiovascular disease diagnosis, risk was reduced by 61%, with a 19% reduction in death overall. Interestingly, cat ownership showed an even greater reduction in the risk of death from cardiovascular causes.
There are some exceptions to these findings. Owners struggling with a sick pet, a behaviorally challenging pet, or financial strain related to pet care may experience increased blood pressure and greater mental stress. These effects can mirror those seen in relationships with family members or close friends. However, preventive care, training, and financial support systems can help limit the chances of these negative effects.
There's no denying that owning a pet can be beneficial to human wellbeing. From mental health improvements to reduced cardiovascular risk, the benefits are significant for leading a healthier life. If owning a pet isn't an option for you, many hospitals, libraries, and other public spaces now host therapy pet services. Fostering, dog walking, or volunteering for rescues can also offer similar experiences with pets.
References
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Westgarth C, Christley RM, Christian HE. How might we increase physical activity through dog walking? A comprehensive review of dog walking correlates. Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act. 2014 Aug 20;11:83. doi: 10.1186/1479-5868-11-83. PMID: 25142228; PMCID: PMC4261546.
Surma S, Oparil S, Narkiewicz K. Pet Ownership and the Risk of Arterial Hypertension and Cardiovascular Disease. Curr Hypertens Rep. 2022 Aug;24(8):295-302. doi: 10.1007/s11906-022-01191-8. Epub 2022 Apr 22. PMID: 35451801; PMCID: PMC9356927.
